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2 weeks ago
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Business
September 2, 2025 by Lucas Ajanaku
A consumer rights group, Association of Telephone, Cable Tv, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCISNigeria) has rejected the unwholesome hike in international passport fees in the country.
National President of the group, Hon Sina Bilesanmi, in a statement on Sunday, said the increment cannot be justified at this trying times when the citizens are grappling with a myriad of policy-triggered economic hardships.
The ATCIS-Nigeria president said the decision smacks of total alienation and disconnection of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, with the realities of the common man.
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“We are appalled by this development. These officers of the Federal Government failed woefully to consider the economic hardships faced by many Nigerians before approving the fee hike.
“It’s unclear why this harsh decision was taken. Could it be to raise more money for the government? Could it be an attempt to stop young Nigerians traumatised by the economy not to be able to leave?
“Whatever, it leaves a sour taste in our mouths. We therefore urge President Bola Tinubu to overrule this harsh decision in the interest of his administration,” he said.
He urged the government to balance revenue generation with citizens’ rights and make passport services accessible to all Nigerians at affordable prices.
“Imagine a minimum wage of N70k or there about. So if a worker works for one full month, his or her salary is not enough to get the passport. That’s very ridiculous,” he added.
This is one of the key pushbacks against the government’s decision to double the passport application fees to ₦100,000 for the 32-page passport and ₦200,000 for the 64-page passport effective September 1, 2025 (yesterday).
English (US)