Opposition leader Peter Obi has strongly criticised the recent increase in Nigerian passport fees, calling the hike a grave burden on citizens and a sign of the government’s detachment from the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
Obi took to X (formerly Twitter) following the Nigeria Immigration Service’s announcement that a 32-page passport now costs ₦100,000—while a 64-page booklet carries a price tag of ₦200,000, representing a 100 per cent increase. This is the third adjustment in just two years. Previously, the 32-page document was raised from ₦35,000 to ₦50,000 in 2024, and the 64-page version went from ₦70,000 to ₦100,000.
Obi argued that such pricing is unacceptable in light of the current national minimum wage, which stands at ₦70,000 per month—less than the cost of acquiring a new passport.
He lamented, “Instead of making life easier, this government keeps shifting the burden onto ordinary Nigerians. It is alarming that the price of the international passport is higher than what workers earn in a month.”
Decrying the government’s move as “obsessive” and out of touch, Obi emphasized how these policies deepen economic hardship for citizens.
He stated:
“The obsession of this administration with putting a burden on the populace is becoming legendary and continues to reveal its apparent disconnect with the people and their suffering.”
