By Olamilekan Abayomi
Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has criticized the Federal Government’s decision to increase passport fees, calling it an additional burden on Nigerians. According to Obi, the new fees are outrageous and reveal the government’s disconnect with the people and their struggles. The Nigeria Immigration Service has increased the cost of a 32-page passport booklet to ₦100,000 and a 64-page booklet to ₦200,000.
Obi argues that this hike is excessive, especially considering the recently approved national minimum wage of ₦70,000. He notes that the cost of a single passport now exceeds a worker’s monthly salary, which is unprecedented. Obi believes the government is shifting the burden onto ordinary Nigerians instead of making life easier for them. He highlights the disparity between the new passport fees and the national minimum wage, questioning how a passport can cost more than a month’s salary.
Obi also points out that this is the third passport fee hike in just two years, further exacerbating the economic hardship faced by Nigerians. He accuses the government of being out of touch with the people and their struggles, consistently imposing financial hardships instead of easing the economic burden. According to Obi, the government’s actions demonstrate a lack of empathy for the plight of ordinary Nigerians.
The hike in passport fees has been met with widespread criticism, with many Nigerians expressing frustration over the rising costs of essential services. Obi’s remarks reflect growing public frustration over the government’s policies and the need for policies that consider the economic realities of Nigerians. The government should take into account the impact of such policies on the populace and strive to alleviate their suffering rather than adding to their burdens.
