Southern Women Forum to FG: Stop Policies That Impoverish Citizens
The Southern Women Empowerment Forum (SWEF), a national body committed to promoting the welfare and empowerment of women across Southern Nigeria, wishes to express its deep concern over the recent decision by the Nigeria Immigration Service to increase the cost of obtaining international passports to ₦100,000 for the 32-page booklet and ₦200,000 for the 64-page booklet, effective September 1, 2025. While we acknowledge the government’s intention to enhance service delivery and maintain the integrity of the passport system, this astronomical increase is coming at a time when the economic reality of the average Nigerian, especially women, is becoming more challenging due to inflation, rising costs of goods and services, and limited income opportunities. Doubling the passport fee in such a short time span places an unbearable burden on many citizens, particularly women who strive daily to sustain their families, engage in small-scale businesses, and pursue educational or profe...