Fact Check: Did Tinubu Unilaterally Raise Nigerian Passport Fees?

Claim Reviewed: An article by Peoples Gazette reported, "Tinubu raises fees for 32-page passport from N35,000 to N50,000; 64-page from N70,000 to N100,000," implying that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally enacted these fee increases. Several other news outlets published articles reflecting the same sentiment.

Context: On August 21, 2024, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) published an official statement announcing a review of the fees for Nigerian passports. Following this, several news outlets, including Peoples Gazette, attributed the fee increases directly to President Tinubu, which suggests that he independently made this decision.

Official Announcement: The NIS stated: 

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 1st September, 2024.

This statement explicitly attributes the decision to the Federal Government, not to President Tinubu alone.

Details of the Nigerian Passport Fee Increase:

• 32-page Passport: Previously priced at N35,000, now N50,000.
• 64-page Passport: Previously N70,000, now N100,000.
• Fees for applications made from the diaspora remain unchanged.

Analysis: Governmental decisions, especially those relating to fee adjustments and policy, are typically made by the executive branch collectively, which includes various ministries and agencies. While President Tinubu, as the head of the executive, plays a significant role, the NIS's statement clarifies that the fee increase is a result of a decision made by the Federal Government as a whole, rather than a unilateral decision by him.

Conclusion: The claim that President Tinubu unilaterally raised passport fees is misleading. The increase is based on an approved review by the Federal Government, indicating a formal decision-making process. It is essential for media reporting to accurately reflect this collective nature to prevent misconceptions regarding executive authority.

The statement oversimplifies a complex decision-making process within the Nigerian government and does not accurately represent the collective responsibility of the Federal Government in approving the fee increases.