Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the recent increase in the cost of international passports in Nigeria.
In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, Obi criticised the current administration’s persistent focus on imposing financial burdens on ordinary citizens.
The Federal Government announced on Thursday a significant rise in passport fees. Under the new pricing, a 32-page international passport now costs ₦100,000, while a 64-page passport is priced at ₦200,000.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and a prominent political figure, highlighted the disproportionate nature of this hike, particularly in light of the country’s economic realities. He pointed out that the new passport fee exceeds the newly approved national minimum wage of ₦70,000 per month.
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“In a country where the new minimum wage is only ₦70,000, it is alarming that the price of an international passport now exceeds what workers earn in a month,” Obi wrote. “Instead of making life easier for Nigerians, the government continues to shift the burden onto ordinary people.”
His comments resonate with many Nigerians who are already grappling with economic hardships amid rising inflation and the high cost of living. The increased passport fees add another layer of financial strain, particularly for those needing to travel for work, education, or family reasons.
The Federal Government has defended the increase, citing the need to improve passport issuance services and security. However, critics argue that the hike is poorly timed and places an unfair burden on citizens struggling to make ends meet.
As the debate continues, Obi’s remarks underscore growing frustrations with government policies perceived to be out of touch with the everyday realities of Nigerians.
