Some Nigerians have taken to social media to condemn the federal government plan to increase standard passport fees by September 1.

On Thursday, the Nigeria Immigration Service announced an upward review of standard passport fees, stating that the decision was aimed at balancing quality and ensuring accessibility to Nigerians.

“The review which only affects passport application fees made in Nigeria, now set a new fee threshold for 32-page with 5-year validity at N100,000 and 64-page with 10-year validity at N200,000,” said NIS public relations officer, Akinsola Akinlabi.

The statement, however, said the application fees made by Nigerians in diaspora remained unchanged at $150 for 32-page with 5-year validity and $230 for 64-page with 10-year validity.

Nigerians on X described the development as unacceptable amid the hardship in the country.

“Effective 1st of September. Have you all ever done anything that will benefit the masses and tagged it “Effective 1st of September “? No! It’s always squeezing the already squeezed and surviving Nigerians. Renewed hopelessness!,” @pionnerjoshua8 wrote.

Another user @teejayviruz said, “You should have just rounded it up(sic) at a million. 200k is too small. Reforms are tough and we must pay the price.”

“Una no rate Nigerians at all. Anyway, Nigerians are still sleeping. When they wake up, all these armed robberies will stop,” @endyy090 noted.

@trippleOhlu wrote, “Are the people commending this increment Nigerians? Do they live in Nigeria at all? Do they feel what Nigerians are feeling? Is passport now a luxury? Must u commend every police cos our yoruba must support yoruba? What happens after PBAT leaves office?”

“This is relatively expensive! This should be a basic document a citizen of a country should have. Reform or no reform. This is expensive for a country where the minimum wage is 70k per month,” said @SAjoloko.