Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has faulted the Federal Government’s decision to increase the cost of international passports, describing it as another policy that worsens the suffering of Nigerians.
Earlier reports by Verily News revealed that the Nigeria Immigration Service has set the new fee for a 32-page international passport at ₦100,000, while the 64-page booklet now costs ₦200,000.
Reacting via his official X handle on Thursday, Obi said:
“The obsession of this administration with putting a burden on the populace is becoming legendary.”
He argued that the new passport fee is disproportionate when compared with workers’ earnings. With the recently approved minimum wage pegged at ₦70,000, the cost of a single passport now exceeds the monthly salary of an average worker.
Obi further criticized the frequency of such hikes, pointing out that this is the third time in two years that passport fees have been raised. He maintained that rather than reducing hardship, the government continues to introduce measures that deepen the economic challenges faced by citizens.
According to him, the latest increase underscores misplaced priorities, especially at a time when Nigerians are battling inflation and a steep rise in living expenses.
What you should know
Peter Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has consistently positioned himself as a critic of government policies he considers anti-people.
His latest statement on the hike in passport fees reflects his broader stance that the Federal Government is worsening economic hardship instead of alleviating it.
