The Nigerian Passport Rip-Off: A Symbol of National Disgrace and Diaspora Exploitation

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

When former Rivers State Governor and Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, openly admitted that the Nigerian passport is “almost worthless abroad,” he wasn’t exaggerating. In fact, his words captured the daily humiliation faced by millions of Nigerians across the globe. Despite the glaring decline in its global value, the Nigerian passport remains one of the most expensive in the world. This contradiction (PAYING A PREMIUM PRICE FOR A DOCUMENT THAT INVITES SUSPICION AND REJECTION AT BORDERS) is not just illogical; it’s criminal.

Today, in 2025, Nigerians in the diaspora are being bled dry under the pretext of acquiring basic identity documents. The National Identity Number (NIN), originally meant to be a free or affordable civic right, has become a commercial racket. It now costs as high as R1,250 (about ₦110,000) even for a six-year-old child in obtaining a NIN in South Africa. This isn’t just unethical, it’s extortion.

This is a business for someone at others’ pains,” lamented Rika Augusta, a frustrated Nigerian mother in South Africa whose six-year-old daughter was forced to pay the full amount just to be recognised as Nigerian.

For a country ranked 131st out of 139 countries on the Henley Passport Index in terms of travel freedom, the price Nigerians pay for this underperforming passport is nothing short of madness. According to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the “enhanced e-passport” costs between ₦400,000 to ₦600,000, excluding service charges imposed by third-party agencies such as OIS and other consular fees. These costs triple when processed from abroad.

Benjy Oloye, a Nigerian in South Africa, echoes the frustration of many:
“I captured in January. Since then, it’s been one story after another. Till today, nothing. Is this a passport or a miracle
we’re praying for?”

The bottlenecks and delays are not merely bureaucratic hiccups;
they are deliberate schemes. The outsourcing of biometric capture and passport
issuance to third-party companies like Online Integrated Services (OIS) has become a well-oiled machine of financial exploitation. Nigerians are forced to pay additional “admin” and “service” fees that are neither regulated nor justified.

“OIS service fee: R100.
Consulate admin fee:
R350.
This is an organised
scam,” revealed Bennie, another Nigerian in

South Africa who has meticulously documented every extra cost.

One wonders: How did we get here?

The Politics of Pain and Profit
The answer is simple; GREED. The Nigerian system is deeply infested with a culture of monetising misery. From driver’s licenses to passports and now even the NIN, everything has become a money-making scheme for a few elites at the expense of 220 million Nigerians.

Pastor Israel Angel White, based in Pretoria, aptly described the situation:
“Some guys are making money out of this, no doubt. Greed is in their DNA. It’s awful.”

This systemic extortion is especially cruel for those in the diaspora who have already endured the trauma of leaving their homeland in search of better opportunities. They contribute over $25 billion annually in remittances, yet they are treated as nothing more than ATM machines by the Nigerian government.

“The Nigerian government sees those of us in the diaspora as nothing more than a cash cow,” says a Nigerian professional in Cape Town. “We’re paying premium prices for substandard services and being told to smile while doing it.”

Data Don’t Lie
Let’s take a moment to compare:

United States Passport: $165 (~₦250,000) with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries.

United Kingdom Passport: £82.50 (~₦130,000) with 190+ countries accessible.

Nigerian Passport: ₦400,000+ with access to barely 46 countries visa-free, mostly in West Africa.

So why does the Nigerian passport cost more than world-leading passports? Why does a six-year-old child have to pay same as an adult to get a NIN? The answer lies not in logistics or technology, but in intentional extortion.

A Culture of Silence and Endurance
What’s perhaps more disturbing is how this exploitation has been normalised. Nigerians, whether at home or abroad, have become so accustomed to pain and systemic failure that they rarely push back.

“We can’t afford it; it’s a lot of money. But one thing about being Nigerian is that we’ve mastered the art of adapting, even to pain,” said one diaspora student in Durban. “We’ve normalized struggle so much that we don’t even question it anymore.”

But enough is enough. There must be a call for mass mobilisation. Nigerians in the diaspora are more than 17 million strong and their voices can no longer be silenced. Imagine if each of them sent an email or letter demanding reform, that kind of pressure is impossible to ignore.

The Diaspora Must Lead the Charge
The diaspora cannot remain passive observers. We must become vocal actors. Through organised action ie: letters, petitions, lobbying international media and using legal mechanisms in host countries, yes we can expose and dismantle this daylight robbery.

We must ask:

Why is there no price differentiation for children and economically disadvantaged citizens?

Why are there no audit reports on the revenue generated from these services?

Why are third-party companies allowed to fleece Nigerians without regulatory oversight?

Why is the Nigerian passport not getting global upgrade despite its inflated cost?

If answers are not provided, then accountability must be demanded.

A National Shame
This entire mess speaks to the deeper rot in Nigeria’s governance system. A government that cannot deliver something as basic as a passport or identity card is one that has failed fundamentally. It is a betrayal of trust, an insult to every citizen who dreams of a better life under the green-white-green flag.

When identity becomes a luxury, then nationality becomes a prison.

This is not just about passports and NIN. It’s about the dignity of Nigerians. It’s about fighting a system that sees its own people as prey. It’s about saying “No more!” to those who profit from our pain.

Final Thoughts: Nigeria, We Hail Thee?
Indeed, “Nigeria we hail thee” not in reverence, but in disbelief. For how long shall citizens continue to bleed for basic rights? For how long shall diaspora Nigerians, the backbone of our economic survival, be treated as expendable wallets?

The time to act is now.

As long as we remain silent, they will continue to inflate our costs, delay our documents, insult our intelligence and trample on our dignity.

The Nigerian passport saga is not just a national embarrassment, it is a scandal, a theft and a crime against citizenship.

George Omagbemi Sylvester
Political Analyst, Diaspora Advocate and Contributor to SaharaWeeklyNG.com

…Deploys 4,000 CNG Tankers To Enhance Distribution Network Nationwide*

*…Offer open to Marketers, Petrol Dealers, Manufacturers, Telecoms Firms, Aviation and other large users*

Dangote Petroleum Refinery is pleased to announce the commencement of a significant national initiative designed to transform Nigeria’s fuel distribution landscape. Effective 15th of August 2025, the Refinery will begin the distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel to marketers, petrol dealers, manufacturers, telecoms firms, aviation, and other large users across the country, with free logistics to boost distribution network.

To ensure smooth take-off of this scheme, Dangote Refinery has invested in the procurement of 4,000 brand-new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tankers. This phase of the programme will continue over an extended timeframe. The refinery is also investing in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations, commonly referred to as daughter booster stations, supported by a fleet of over 100 CNG tankers across the country to ensure seamless product distribution.

This strategic programme is part of our broader commitment to eliminating logistics costs, enhancing energy efficiency, promoting sustainability and supporting Nigeria’s economic development. It affirms our dedication to improving the availability and affordability of fuel, in support of broader efforts to strengthen the economy and improve the well-being of all Nigerians.

Under this initiative, all petrol stations purchasing PMS and diesel from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will benefit from this enhanced logistics support. Key sectors such as manufacturing, telecommunications, and others will also gain from this transformative initiative, as reduced fuel costs will contribute to lower production costs, reduced inflation, and foster economic growth. Players in these key sectors and others can purchase directly from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

In addition, the refinery will offer a credit facility to those purchasing a minimum of 500,000 litres—allowing them to obtain an additional 500,000 litres on credit for two weeks, under bank guarantee.

This pioneering effort marks a major milestone in our vision to revolutionise Nigeria’s energy sector. Dangote Refinery is dedicated to ensuring that no place is left behind. Our goal is to provide equitable access to affordable fuel for all Nigerians, regardless of location, making energy more accessible and sustainable for everyone, wherever they may be.

It is expected to revitalise previously inactive petrol stations, thereby driving job creation, stimulating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), increasing government revenue, improving fuel access in rural and underserved communities, and strengthening investor confidence in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

This initiative is inline with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reflecting our shared commitment to economic progress, stability, and inclusive development. We sincerely thank the Federal Government for its continued support, especially through the Naira-for-Crude scheme, which has helped stabilise fuel supply amid global price volatility. It marks a major revolution in the midstream and downstream sectors and stands as a key example of President Bola Tinubu’s bold and reformative economic policies.

We invite marketers, petrol dealers, manufacturers, telecom companies, and all key stakeholders to embrace this landmark initiative. The registration process, including Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, will take place from 16 June to 15 August, spanning a total of 60 days. For enquiries, please call +234 707 470 2099, +234 707 470 2100, +234 816 961 8390, +234 703 796 8308, +234 812 362 2893. Email: Email: [email protected].

Dangote Petroleum Refinery remains a proud partner in this national journey— a truly Nigerian company of global standards, dedicated to the well-being of all Nigerians.

Faruk Abdullahi: Energy Consultant, Financial Analyst and Entrepreneur

Faruk Abdullahi is a distinguished energy consultant, accomplished financial analyst, and visionary entrepreneur with over 15 years of diverse experience spanning energy, finance, information technology, and international business consultancy. Renowned for his leadership in Nigeria’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) revolution, Faruk is a leading advocate for sustainable energy adoption and economic transformation in Nigeria.

Advocacy in Energy and CNG Leadership

Faruk Abdullahi is a vocal and proactive proponent of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel in Nigeria. He frequently features on national television, using his media platform to passionately advocate for the widespread adoption of CNG due to its environmental sustainability and economic affordability. In May 2025, he led a delegation of CNG conversion center operators to the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PCNGi), where he praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his visionary leadership in the energy transition space.

Under Faruk’s leadership and frontline advocacy, the CNG initiative has attracted over $500 million in investments, created over 10,000 direct and 90,000 indirect jobs, and strengthened public-private partnerships in the energy sector. His work in this area positions him as a strategic voice and policy influencer in Nigeria’s quest for a cleaner and more self-reliant energy future.

Financial Expertise and Policy Analysis

In addition to his influence in the energy sector, Faruk is a respected financial expert and public policy analyst. He is widely recognized for his insightful commentary on Nigeria’s monetary policies, particularly during pivotal national moments such as the 2023 general elections. He was a strong critic of the naira redesign and associated cash scarcity, which he argued was poorly timed and detrimental to the average Nigerian.

Faruk also strongly advocates for exchange rate unification, a strategy he believes will eliminate market inefficiencies and attract foreign investment. Furthermore, he is a vocal supporter of policies encouraging the consumption of locally manufactured goods and services, positioning this approach as a cornerstone for improving Nigeria’s non-oil exports and foreign exchange inflows.

Entrepreneurship and Corporate Leadership

Faruk’s professional journey is a remarkable story of resilience, rising from modest beginnings to national and international influence. He is the Chairman of Ultimate Spectrum Ltd, a diversified firm with operations in energy, finance, and IT. He is also the Pioneer Managing Director of Farkim Oil & Gas Lt. He sits on the board of Kriskos & Associates, an immigration investment firm with a footprint across the Middle East and Europe.

His corporate experience includes serving as Chief Compliance Officer and Service Executive at Innovate 1Pay Ltd (Kano Branch)—a fintech company involved in foreign exchange operations in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria. He also made his mark in Dubai, where he rose from salesman to Executive Director at Metropolitan Insurance within a single year.

Academic and Professional Qualifications

Faruk holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Actuarial Science) and a Diploma in Mathematics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He further earned a Master’s in Finance from Heriot-Watt University, Duba,  and another Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy from ABU, Zaria.

He is a Fellow of the:

– International Organization of Management Professionals (FIOMP)

– Chartered Institute of Loan and Risk Management (FCILRM),

– Institute of Credit Administration (FICA).

He also holds multiple certifications in forensic accounting, finance, and risk management, reinforcing his multidisciplinary expertise.

Faruk Abdullahi exemplifies a rare blend of visionary leadership, technical expertise, and patriotic dedication. His influence across Nigeria’s energy, financial, and entrepreneurial landscapes continues to grow, inspiring a generation of professionals and policymakers to pursue sustainable solutions, sound economic reforms, and impactful ventures. With an unwavering commitment to national development, Faruk remains a trailblazer in shaping a resilient and prosperous Nigerian future.