Nigerians are expressing outrage over the recent decision by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to significantly increase the cost of obtaining a Nigerian passport, with the new fees set to take effect from September 1, 2024.

The fee hike was announced on Wednesday by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) through its spokesperson, Kenneth Udo, on the NIS’s official X account. The government claims the increase is necessary to uphold the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport.

Under the new pricing structure, a 32-page passport booklet with a five-year validity will now cost N50,000, up from N35,000. Meanwhile, the 64-page booklet with a 10-year validity will jump from N70,000 to N100,000.

This move has sparked widespread criticism, with many Nigerians accusing the Tinubu-led government of exploiting citizens during tough economic times. Social media has been abuzz with complaints, as people express frustration over what they see as an unjustified burden on ordinary Nigerians.