Economy
SERAP Urges FG To Reverse Passport Fees Hike
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
“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
ADC Is Nigeria’s Only Reliable Political Party, Others Brought Insecurity, Hunger, Says Atiku
ADC Is Nigeria’s Only Reliable Political Party, Others Brought Insecurity, Hunger, Says Atiku
ADC is Nigeria’s only reliable political party, others brought insecurity, hunger, says Atiku. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubukar says the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is the only reliable political party in the country, noting that others have brought insecurity, hunger, poverty and unemployment.
Speaking in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba state, during the official opening of the ADC state secretariat, Abubakar said the party is ready for a 2027 victory but urged Nigerians to unite to rescue the nation.
He also asked Taraba residents to take part in the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise, adding that their participation is crucial to reversing Nigeria’s worsening hardship.
“I am in Taraba to inaugurate our new party office of the ADC, and I want you to hold the party with integrity,” Channels Television quoted Atiku as saying.
“Do not allow anybody to deceive you with any other party, because we have tasted other political parties, and they brought nothing but insecurity, hunger, poverty and unemployment. “The youths and women should know that we are doing this for them to have a better future, and I am holding on to their promise. “ADC will win Taraba state and win Nigeria as the only reliable political party.”

ADC Is Nigeria’s Only Reliable Political Party
Abubakar, who formally joined the ADC on Monday—17 months before the 2027 general election—said his experience across political platforms convinced him that the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties lack the capacity to rescue the country.
He resigned from the PDP on July 16, citing “irreconcilable differences” within the opposition party as his reason for leaving.
Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom Governor Pledges Commitment To Tourism, Blue Economy Development
Akwa Ibom Governor Pledges Commitment To Tourism, Blue Economy Development
Akwa Ibom governor pledges commitment to tourism, blue economy development… commends Editi Effiong for projecting State’s tourism potentials
As part of his effort to encourage tourism and enhance the State’s blue economy, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to encourage and reward young professionals who are willing to collaborate with his administration in promoting the positive image of the State through the ARISE Agenda.
The Governor made this known while fielding questions from Government House correspondents shortly after embarking on inspection of a locale of a movie, “The Black Book 2” (Old Scores), at Ishiet Beach/Market in Uruan Local Government Area.
He commended the movie Producer and Director, Mr. Editi Effiong, for his talent, vision, inspiration, and creative ability to project the tourism potentials and boost the economy of the State.
Governor Eno charged young Akwa Ibomites to shun divisive tendencies, be inspired, and emulate the creative effort of successful Akwa Ibom sons and daughters by joining hands to develop the tourism and blue economy of the State.
“The impression is amazing, seeing that we have one of our own trying to pull the world down here.
“I would love to thank and encourage him, and to let our young people see that Akwa Ibom has what it takes to drag the world’s attention.
“It depends on what you see. Someone can see this place and write one story about a swamp that has been abandoned and make all the noise. Another person sees this place and makes a great movie out of it that will market this place to the world and is able to attract the attention because of the work he has done here,” he said.
The State Chief Executive pledged his encouragement, support, and collaboration with Editi and other young Akwa Ibomites to enable them rise to the zenith of their calling.
“We are going to work with him. Editi is a young man I have known very well. This is one thing I say to our people in the diaspora, let’s partner. Come back home, whatever you see out there, bring it back here, and let’s work together.
“I think that is the story, and I am really impressed. If you know the number of people that have visited this State in the course of this film, the talents, and the caliber of artists that have been here, then this young man deserves an award and our support,” he added.

Ibom Deep SeaPort
On his part, the movie Producer and Director, Effiong, appreciated Governor Eno for his visionary leadership and passion for tourism development.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for creating a hospitable and tourism friendly ecosystem to enhance talent exploration through the provision of good road network and quality modern facilities which distinguished the State as one of the most treasured locations in the country.
Crime
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
EFCC releases ex-AGF Malami after hours of interrogation. He said he would return for further questioning.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, after hours of interrogation by the anti-graft team.
Mr Malami confirmed his release in his X account on Saturday. The former minister said that he had been released and scheduled for another meeting with investigators.
He said that the reality behind the “fabricated allegations” levelled against him would become clearer with time.
“In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for his divine intervention. “The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continues to unfold.”

EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
The EFCC had summoned Mr Malami through a letter dated November 24, and signed by Sunday Ofen-Imu on behalf of its chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The EFCC did not disclose the specific allegations for which Mr Malami was invited.
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