Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the Federal Government’s increase in Nigerian international passport application fees.

In a statement on X on Friday, Obi described it as yet another burden on struggling citizens.

He faulted the government’s decision, calling it insensitive in light of the current economic hardship.

“The obsession of this administration with putting a burden on the populace is becoming legendary and continues to reveal its apparent disconnect with the people and the suffering,” he said.

He also argued that the cost of a passport now exceeds the newly approved minimum wage of N70,000, a situation he said is unprecedented globally and that Nigeria is probably the only country in the world to achieve this feat.

“The International Passport fees in Nigeria have now skyrocketed to N100,000 for a 32-page booklet and N200,000 for 64 pages. This is the third increase in just two years.

“In a country where the new minimum wage is only N70,000, the cost of a single passport now exceeds a worker’s monthly salary, probably the only country In the world to achieve this feat.

“Instead of making life easier, this government keeps shifting the burden onto ordinary Nigerians. It is alarming that the price of the international passport is higher than what workers earn in a month,” Obi stated.

The Nigeria Immigration Service on Thursday announced that, from September 1, 2025, a 32-page passport with five-year validity will cost N100,000, while a 64-page passport with 10-year validity will cost N200,000. The new rates apply only to applications made within Nigeria, while fees for Nigerians abroad remain at $150 and $230, respectively.

The obsession of this administration with putting a burden on the populace is becoming legendary and continues to reveal its apparent disconnect with the people and the suffering.

The International Passport fees in Nigeria have now skyrocketed to N100,000 for a 32-page booklet…

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) August 28, 2025

(Channels TV)