ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – Yemi Farounbi, a former ambassador to the Philippines, has stated that the recent hike in the price of the Nigerian passport will not stop citizens from migrating to other nations.
Reported that the upward review of the fees was approved by the federal government as revealed by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Thursday, August 22.
According to NIS, the increment for the passport would begin on September 1, 2024, to ensure the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport system.
Speaking on the hike, Farounbi who spoke with Punch said while the increment may be necessary amid the inflation rate, the decision only worsens the predicament of the masses.
“There is nothing whose price has not gone up in the last one year. Unfortunately, the poor people are the carriers of this burden so rather than ease the burden on the common man or the average Nigerian, we have only added to it.
“Increasing the cost of passports by almost 100 per cent or thereabouts will not discourage those who want to leave because they are being pulled by stronger forces than the cost of passports,” he said.
