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SERAP Urges FG To Reverse Passport Fees Hike

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SERAP Urges FG To Reverse Passport Fees Hike

SERAP urges FG to reverse passport fees hike. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap to immediately reverse the “arbitrary, unlawful, and excessive” passport fees announced during the week.

SERAP described the passport fees increase as discriminatory towards millions of socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians.

The civil society organisation made the call in a letter dated August 30, 2025, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

SERAP maintained that the high fees constitute discriminatory denial of access to passports for millions of socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians and impose unlawful restrictions on their citizenship rights.

It also stated that millions of disadvantaged Nigerians cannot realistically afford these new fees.

The group insisted that Nigerians should not be forced to divert their limited and inadequate incomes to pay these fees that they should use for their basic living needs.

SERAP argued that the Minister of Interior and the NIS Comptroller General must comply with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations in fulfilling their constitutional and statutory duties.

The organisation stated that the Minister and Comptroller General of the NIS have a legal responsibility to balance imposing excessive passport fees and safeguarding citizens’ rights.

It stressed that Nigerians who cannot afford the excessive fees will be denied effective enjoyment of their citizenship rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and relevant human rights treaties to which the country is a party.

“The unreasonable and disproportionate hike in passport fees conflicts with the provisions of Chapters 2 and 4 of the Nigerian Constitution, which address fundamental objectives, directive principles of state policy, and fundamental rights.

“The excessive fees will create disproportionate financial burdens on poor Nigerians. The Minister of Interior and the Comptroller General of the NIS have failed to evaluate the impact of these heightened fees in light of the financial struggles facing millions of Nigerians amid growing economic challenges.

“The Minister of Interior and the Comptroller General of the NIS acted unlawfully by arbitrarily increasing the passport fees. Their actions undermine the fundamental rights of Nigerians by unlawfully raising these costs,” SERAP stated.

It added that the recommended measures be implemented within seven days of receiving and/or publishing this letter.

“Should we not hear from you by then, SERAP will pursue all appropriate legal actions to compel your government, the Minister, and the Comptroller General to comply with our request in the public interest.

“The unlawful increase in passport fees, when the country grapples with economic and financial crises, would further contribute to the population’s impoverishment.

SERAP Sues Tinubu

SERAP

“The increased fees would also infringe on Nigerians’ rights to travel or leave their country, including their right to obtain necessary travel documents. The Minister of Interior and the Comptroller General of the NIS have failed to adequately justify the fee increases,” the statement added.

LEADERSHIP reports that the NIS had on Thursday, August 28, 2025, announced an upward review of passport fees, effective from September 1, 2025.

Under the new rates, applications made in Nigeria, which previously cost N50,000 for a 32-page booklet with a five-year validity will now cost N100,000.

Additionally, the 64-page passport, valid for ten years, will increase from N100,000 to N200,000.

SERAP recalled that in September 2024, the NIS also raised the cost of the 32-page passport from N35,000 to N50,000 and the 64-page passport from N70,000 to N100,000.

Economy

Okpebholo Threatening Me With Violence, I’ll Fight Back Says Obaseki

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Obaseki

Okpebholo Threatening Me With Violence, I’ll Fight Back Says Obaseki

Okpebholo threatening me with violence, I’ll fight back says Obaseki. Godwin Obaseki, the immediate past governor of Edo, has accused Monday Okpebholo, his successor, of threatening him with violence. Obaseki spoke during the weekend at an event in London, the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND
Since assuming office in November 2024, Okpebholo has initiated a series of actions aimed at scrutinising Obaseki’s tenure.

He first constituted a 14-member committee to investigate the assets, liabilities, contracts, and financial decisions made under Obaseki.

Okpebholo then expanded the scrutiny to the state civil service, ordering a probe into all recruitments conducted between May and November 2024, alleging a violation of due process.

Last week, Okpebholo asked the federal government to repatriate Obaseki to answer questions over public funds linked to the controversial Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project.

‘OKPEBHOLO THREATENING ME’

Obaseki said the governor is threatening him with violence and allegedly sent thugs to attack him in the UK.

“Those who live by the sword will die by the sword,” Obaseki said. “And to tell the governor, Okpebholo, I don’t know him; I have never met him. When you start with violence, you will reap violence.

“For one year since I left office, I didn’t say one word. I decided to respect myself and allow them to try [in governance] as well. Go and find out, you won’t see one thing I said about his government.”

He accused Okpebholo’s government of being behind the attack on diplomats during the exhibition in MOWAA.

“As if that was not enough, the government paid people to come to Manchester to attack me,” he said.
“Who has started this violence? Is it me? Last week, this governor held a disgraceful press conference in which he threatened me not to come to Benin.

Obaseki

Obaseki

“They have been threatening violence. So if I respond, nobody should hold me responsible. “I can’t leave myself empty to be hurt and attacked by deranged people.

“So I am going to fight back. I will fight back. I didn’t start the fight. They are afraid. They know they did not win the election.”

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Economy

Jigawa: 9,600 Teachers Register For Special Training

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Teachers Register For Special Training

Jigawa: 9,600 Teachers Register For Special Training

Jigawa: 9,600 teachers register for special training. No fewer than 9,600 teachers under the Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) registered for a competency test to determine the specific training required to improve their skills and enhance teaching outcomes in the state.

The Executive Chairman of the Board, Professor Haruna Musa, revealed this while briefing journalists on the purpose of the examination, adding that 12,000 teachers were expected to register for the exam.

He explained that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Malam Umar Namadi, was committed to repositioning the state education sector as a key foundation for sustainable development, in line with its “12-Point Agenda.”

Prof. Haruna noted that while the government has been spending significant resources to improve educational infrastructure, meaningful learning improvements cannot be achieved without also enhancing the capabilities of teachers.

“Based on that, the State Executive Council approved for the board to organise a competency test for all teachers. This will enable us to understand the kind of training each teacher requires to improve his or her skills”.

“Out of the 9,600 teachers registered for the exam, over 70% have never attended any capacity-building training since they were employed, including some with over 15 years of service,” the Chairman added.

Teachers Register For Special Training

Teachers Register For Special Training

He stated that after the exam, the teachers will be categorised into three groups: Group A, those with both knowledge and teaching skills; Group B, those with knowledge but lacking teaching skills; and Group C, those lacking both knowledge and teaching skills.

“Each group will be offered specialised training. Those in Group C will undergo intensive training and subsequent examinations for a period to ensure they are equipped with the required knowledge and skills”.
“For those with slower learning uptake, we will attach them to competent teachers within their schools for ongoing guidance and mentorship,” Prof Haruna said.

He further stated that the project is not about retrenchment, but his primary goal is to enhance teachers’ capacity for better learning outcomes within the state’s basic education sector.

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Economy

PFA: Leadway Pensure Leverages Innovations For Quality Service Delivery

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Leadway Pensure

PFA: Leadway Pensure Leverages Innovations For Quality Service Delivery

PFA: Leadway pensure leverages innovations for quality service delivery. A Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), Leadway Pensure said, it is leveraging innovation to escalate quality

service delivery to its retirement savings account (RSA) holders. This milestone marks 20 years of trust, exceptional service delivery, and value creation as it celebrates its anniversary. It highlights two decades of dedication to protecting the financial wellness of Nigerian workers.

Over the last 20 years, the PFA has served thousands of customers across Nigeria and beyond, standing as a clear testament to its commitment to providing financial stability at various stages of workers’ career journeys.

Speaking on this remarkable achievement, MD/CEO, Leadway Pensure PFA, Olusakin Labeodan, stated that: “As we celebrate 20 years of Leadway Pensure PFA, this milestone is more than a celebration of longevity, it is a tribute to trust, service and innovation.

From the very beginning, our mission has been very clear, to deliver a pension system without barriersOver two decades, we have transformed this vision into reality by simplifying pension access, embracing cutting-edge technology, and ensuring our services are always within reach. With a nationwide presence, a robust mobile platform, and the AI-powered assistant LISA, we have made pension services accessible to eligible Nigerians.

“We have supported countless customers in achieving life goals, from retirement to home ownership, by ensuring access, clarity and care at every step. This is a testament to the strong relationships and legacy we have built with every customer. Trust is at the heart of our service, propelling us to uphold world-class standards and earning us global certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001:2022 for information security, a mark of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our customers’ funds. ”

Leadway Pensure

Leadway Pensure

Looking ahead, the company said, it is committed to promoting youth-focused financial literacy, growing personal pension plans and strengthening customer engagement across every stage of the pension journey.

“The next years and beyond will be shaped by the same dedication that brought us this far, a future-forward mindset, a culture of excellence, and an unyielding promise to stand by our customers every step of the way,” Olusakin concluded.

As it commemorates 20 years of service, Leadway Pensure reaffirms its commitment to simplifying retirement planning, delivering consistent value, and driving financial inclusion across Nigeria.

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