News
Nigerians knock Tinubu over increase in passport fees
Nigerians knock Tinubu over increase in passport fees
Nigerians have criticised the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government over the approved upward review of the fees for the Nigerian passport effective from September 1, 2024.
Chronicle NG reports that the upward review of the fees for the passport was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the spokesman for the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kenneth Udo, on the X handle of the NIS.
The increment, according to the statement, aims to ensure the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport.
The statement partly read, “As part of its efforts to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport, the Federal Government has approved an upward review of the fees for the passport, effective from September 1, 2024.
“Based on the review, a 32-page passport booklet with five-year validity previously charged at N35,000 will now be N50,000 only, while a 64-page passport booklet with 10-year validity, which was N70,000, will be N100,000 only.”
Reacting to the news of the increment, Nigerians berated the Tinubu-led federal government for what many described as “milking the citizens dry.”
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This publication highlights below some of the reactions of Nigerians to the news.
E.J. Enwagboso, “The 10-day notice for the passport price increase is an example of the government’s lack of empathy and consideration for its citizens. Tinubu and the Nigerian Immigration should know this.
“I recommend reviewing the pricing strategy and considering a reversal or, at the very least, a delayed effective date of January 1, 2025.”
Olu, “What kind of rubbish is this policy? In this economy with a 70k minimum wage, a passport will now cost 50,000. This is a very deliberate policy that shows some elites in power truly must be living in a different reality.”
Lurd Ginut, “Very soon, they will charge us for the air we breathe, for the blood running through our veins. It’s clear Tinubu is here to make life unbearable for the citizens, because every department is only interested in making money for the federal government.”
Ada Ojilibeka, “The new new minimum wage still hasn’t taken effect, but the speed at which this will take effect will let you know these people are not stupid one single bit. They only turn clueless when it comes to empowering Nigerians or keeping their promises.”
Eze, “Tinubu only knows IGR. He sees every ministry and agency as revenue houses. He will milk Nigerians through the ministries and agencies. Tax and more taxes.”
Feranmii, “Are they trying to rob us off our hard-earned money and rights now? They just want to squeeze every little penny out of the citizens of the country despite all the hardship, discord, and strife.”
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Amin Snoussi, “You’re increasing the cost of obtaining international passports at a time when citizens are barely able to afford two square meals on a daily basis?
“What about those who already submitted passport renewals and change of data applications that are yet to be produced? Have you guys cleared the whole deck in all states but most especially at N.I.S. Headquarters before implementing this increase when it comes to the cost of passports?
“What about improving N.I.S. online customer care, making it more efficient and effective to obtain passports on time?”
Murphy, “This is ridiculous and wicked. How can you increase the amount of passport just like that with just notice of 10 days? Our government doesn’t care about its citizens welfare; they make things difficult for us every day. What a shameless approach and disgraceful government.”
Larwill Olanre, “What is wrong with all these government parastatals? Why is corruption you people’s surname? International passport N50,OO online while N100,OO offline. What a shame. Tinubu, can you come out and explain to Nigerians what to do with upward review, not downward review?”
Demmy Folarin, “So this increment will take effect in 10 days, but implementation of the minimum wage takes several months? Implementation of reduced tax on importation of food materials takes months? We are not ready for progress in this nation.”
Nigerians knock Tinubu over increase in passport fees
News
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
News
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
News
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
The Federal Government has defended its decision to borrow to address budget deficits, despite surpassing revenue targets in 2024.
Finance Minister Wale Edun and Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu clarified this position during a session with the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Finance, Budget, and National Planning. The meeting focused on the 2025–2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Last week, the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s $2.2 billion loan request to fund the N9.7 trillion deficit in the 2024 budget partially.
During the session, key agency heads, including Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) CEO Mele Kyari, Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zacch Adedeji, presented their revenue reports.
The agencies reported exceeding their 2024 targets.
- Customs Service: Generated ₦5.352 trillion by September 30, surpassing its ₦5.09 trillion target for the year. For 2025, the agency projects ₦6.3 trillion, with a 10% increase planned for 2026.
- NNPCL: Achieved ₦13.1 trillion in revenue, exceeding the ₦12.3 trillion projection for 2024. Kyari announced a ₦23.7 trillion revenue target for 2025.
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- FIRS: Surpassed multiple tax collection goals, including ₦5.7 trillion from company income tax against a ₦4 trillion target. Education tax collections also exceeded expectations, reaching ₦1.5 trillion compared to a ₦70 billion target.
Overall, ₦18.5 trillion of the ₦19.4 trillion 2024 revenue target had been achieved by September, indicating the goal will be exceeded by year-end.
Despite these surpluses, the government insists borrowing remains essential to cover budget gaps and support vulnerable populations.
Bagudu explained, “Even with agencies exceeding revenue targets, borrowing is necessary to address deficits and boost productivity, particularly for the poorest. This aligns with Agenda 2050, which aims for a GDP per capita of $33,000.”
Edun also reiterated that loans were critical for adequately funding the budget.
The committee, led by Senator Sani Musa, questioned the rationale behind the borrowing and demanded further transparency. The Immigration Service was specifically asked to provide documents regarding an “unacceptable PPP arrangement” before the end of the week.
The session underscored the government’s balancing act between increased revenues and fiscal challenges requiring external borrowing.
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
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