Headline

BREAKING: FG Speaks On Subsidizing Passport Fees In Nigeria

Tunji-Ojo also revealed that Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly those in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, would soon enjoy more seamless passport acquisition processes.

Advertisement
Advertisement

FG has vowed not to subsidise passport fees in Nigeria.

 

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday, justified the recent increase in passport fees, clarifying that the rise was approximately 45%.

 

He attributed the fee adjustment to the exchange rate between the dollar and the naira.

 

In August, the Nigerian Immigration Service announced an upward review of the fees for Nigerian Standard Passports.

 

ALSO: How E-Libraries Make Finding Rare Books Easy

 

As per the new structure, the cost of a 32-page passport booklet with a five-year validity increased from N35,000 to N50,000, while a 64-page passport booklet with a 10-year validity rose from N70,000 to N100,000.

 

Many Nigerians expressed disappointment over the fee hike, accusing the government of making japa (migration) more expensive.

However, speaking at a media briefing in Abuja to mark his first year in office, the minister said the government could not subsidise passport fees for Nigerians.

 

He also clarified that the price increase did not affect the fees for Nigerians living abroad.

 

Tunji-Ojo explained, “The increase in passport fees is a matter of cost-benefit analysis, especially when considering the exchange rate between the dollar and the naira. If the government were to subsidise anything, I don’t think it should be passports. The increase is just from N35,000 to N50,000 — only about 45%. There has been no increase for Nigerians abroad.”

He stressed that the government was not exploiting Nigerians but simply covering the cost of passport procurement.

 

Tunji-Ojo also revealed that Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly those in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, would soon enjoy more seamless passport acquisition processes.

 

“We are going to pre-launch these automated systems very soon. By October, they will be fully operational. In London, for instance, we have 16,000 Nigerians applying for passports, while the capacity of our systems at the Embassy is about 200.

 

“But now that we have this system in place, Nigerians will no longer need to undertake multiple journeys across the world to acquire a passport.”

 

The minister also noted that all passport backlogs had been cleared and that the Nigeria Immigration Service no longer owes its service providers for the printing and supply of passports.

 

“We now have about 80,000 passports in stock, including both the 32-page and 64-page booklets,” he added.

Advertisement
Adebimpe Ogunṣuyi

Recent Posts

  • Economy And Business

Widows, Wives, and Over 2,000 Residents of Ikeja Police Barracks Benefit from Healthcare and Aid Initiative

Over 2,000 individuals from the Ikeja Police Barracks community benefited from an impactful outreach program spearheaded by Young Professionals for Tinubu (YP4T), an…

6 hours ago
  • Featured

Open Heaven 24 December 2024 RCCG Daily Devotional

Open Heaven 24 December 2024 RCCG Daily Devotional can be accessed below.   NewsOnline Nigeria…

7 hours ago
  • Exchange Rates

Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate In Lagos, FCT, 24 December 2024

Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate in Lagos and FCT today, 24 December 2024.…

7 hours ago
  • Crime Watch

BREAKING: Dele Farotimi Released From Prison Few Hours To Christmas

Dele Farotimi has been released from prison few hours to Christmas.   NewsOnline Nigeria reports…

7 hours ago
  • Crime Watch

BREAKING: Queen Naomi, Oriyomi, Fasasi Remanded In Prison Over Ibadan Stampede

Queen Naomi, Oriyomi, and Fasasi have been remanded in prison over the Ibadan stampede.  …

7 hours ago
  • Entertainment

New Edition of the ‘I Just Saw Jesus’ Book Extends 40-Year Legacy of Media Ministry

Forty years after the release of the original JESUS film, Jesus Film Project is releasing an…

7 hours ago