Abuja, Nigeria — August 29, 2025 — Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, has strongly condemned the recent hike in international passport fees by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), accusing the federal government of worsening the plight of ordinary Nigerians.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi described the new passport charges as “outrageous” and disconnected from Nigeria’s economic realities.
“The obsession of this administration with putting a burden on the populace is becoming legendary,” Obi wrote.
Passport Now Costs More Than Minimum Wage, Says Peter Obi
According to the new fee structure announced by NIS, a 32-page passport booklet will now cost ₦100,000, while a 64-page passport with 10-year validity will cost ₦200,000 — an increase that has drawn backlash across the country.
Obi, a former Anambra State governor, noted the irony of a passport costing more than Nigeria’s newly proposed ₦70,000 minimum wage.
“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 stated.
Obi: FG Is Shifting Burden to Struggling Citizens
Obi’s remarks point to a growing trend of criticism directed at the federal government for what many see as anti-poor economic policies.
“Rather than easing hardship, the government is shifting more weight onto struggling citizens,” Obi added.
This is the third hike in passport fees in just two years. In August 2024, the cost of a 32-page passport increased from ₦35,000 to ₦50,000. Now, it has doubled.
Public Outcry Over Economic Pressures
The latest hike comes amid rising inflation, stagnant wages, and worsening living conditions for many Nigerians.
Critics argue that essential documents like international passports should be made more affordable — not more expensive — especially when international travel is a necessity for business, education, or medical treatment.
