Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Get together, has criticised the federal authorities over the hike in worldwide passport charges, describing it as one other instance of the administration’s insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians.
The Nigerian Immigration Service on Thursday introduced a 100 per cent hike in the price of a world passport. 32-page booklet, which prices N50,000, will now go for N100,000 and a 64-page booklet, at present at N100,000, will value N200,000 efficient from September 1, 2025..
In a press release shared on X (previously Twitter) on Thursday, Obi stated the rise additional highlighted the federal government’s “obvious disconnect with the individuals and the struggling” they’re dealing with.
“The obsession of this administration with placing a burden on the populace is changing into legendary and continues to disclose its obvious disconnect with the individuals and the struggling,” Obi wrote.
“In a rustic the place the brand new minimal wage is simply N70,000, the price of a single passport now exceeds a employee’s month-to-month wage, most likely the one nation on this planet to attain this feat,” Obi stated.
He lamented that slightly than present aid, the federal government retains transferring financial hardship onto residents already grappling with rising dwelling prices.
“As an alternative of constructing life simpler, this authorities retains shifting the burden onto atypical Nigerians. It’s alarming that the value of the worldwide passport is increased than what staff earn in a month,” Obi added.
The previous Anambra governor’s feedback come amid rising considerations over the affordability of important providers in Nigeria, following a collection of reforms which have triggered sharp will increase in the price of dwelling.
