Peter Obi Slams Passport Fee Hike, Calls It Burden On Nigerians

A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the Federal Government’s latest increase in Nigerian passport fees, describing it as yet another burden on struggling citizens.

The Nigeria Immigration Service on Thursday announced that, from September 1, 2025, a 32-page passport with five-year validity will cost ₦100,000, while a 64-page passport with 10-year validity will cost ₦200,000. The new rates apply only to applications made within Nigeria, while fees for Nigerians abroad remain at $150 and $230, respectively.

Reacting in a post on his X account, Obi criticised the government’s decision, calling it insensitive in light of the current economic hardship.

“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 the suffering,” Obi wrote.

He noted that the new fees represent the third increase in just two years and warned that the costs have now become unrealistic for the average worker.

“The International Passport fees in Nigeria have now skyrocketed to ₦100,000 for a 32-page booklet and ₦200,000 for 64 pages. This is the third increase in just two years,” he stated.

Obi further criticised the disparity between wages and the cost of essential documents.

“In a country where the new minimum wage is only ₦70,000, the cost of a single passport now exceeds a worker’s monthly salary, probably the only country in the world to achieve this feat,” he said.

He concluded by urging the government to reconsider its approach.

“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,” Obi added.