Nigerians, immigration officers guilty of bribery, corruption; passport fee hike justified: Tinubu’s Aide
Temitope Ajayi, President Bola Tinubu’s media aide, says the astronomical hike in passport fees is justified amid widespread economic hardship and disillusionment in Nigeria. The presidential aide accused Nigerians and Nigeria Immigration Service officers of bribery and corruption, arguing that this is a sufficient reason to raise the passport fee.
Specifically, Mr Ajayi stated that there should be no need for citizens to complain because they have been guilty of aiding and abetting corrupt immigration officers.
The presidential aide is notorious for making controversial statements.
In a post on Facebook on Friday, the presidential aide said, “Nigerians have always paid more than N100k and N200k to get the five-year and 10-year valid travel passports, in bribes, to immigration officers to get their passports out on time.”
He added, “The difference is: the money will now go into government coffers for the same express service instead of private pockets.”
Mr Ajayi’s statement comes after the Nigerian Immigration Service announced a hike in passport fees.
In a statement on Thursday, the NIS announced an “upward review of Nigerian Standard Passport fees, set to take effect on 1st September, 2025.”
According to NIS, the review, which only affects passport application fees in Nigeria, has now established new fee thresholds for 32-page passports with a five-year validity at N100,000 and 64-page passports with a 10-year validity at N200,000.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Economy
NUPRC Bid: Nigeria warns 2025 licensing round winners against delaying exploration
The government urged the bidders to develop the assets rather than treat the licences as investment trophies or merely use them to seek technical or financial partners.
Economy
Nigeria cannot tackle housing deficit without insurance protection: Heirs
Heirs General Insurance has urged policymakers, developers and other stakeholders to make insurance protection a central part of Nigeria’s housing agenda.
States
Kaduna govt constructs airport-style bus terminals to boost public transport
The Kaduna government says its ultra-modern Eastern Terminal, designed like an airport terminal, will transform transportation and create thousands of jobs upon completion.
Economy
Naira gains N4.80 at official market, trades at N1,375.30 per dollar
The naira on Tuesday appreciated at the official market, trading at N1,375.30 to a dollar.
Showbiz
Godzilla vs Kong actress Kaylee Hottle dies at 18
“Our hearts are with Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time,” the school wrote in a statement.
States
Tinubu advised me never to negotiate with criminals, Gov Ododo says
“I don’t play with criminals, and I don’t negotiate with them. I can tell you that, as far as Kogi State is concerned, we don’t have a department for ransom payment,” he said.
