Skyrocketing Civic Fees: How Service Charges Are Pricing Out Nigerians

By Eno-abasi Sunday In three years under President Tinubu, fees for essential services like international passports, driver’s licences and vehicle number plates have climbed sharply. The government claims the hikes fund system upgrades, reduce corruption and eliminate touts. Yet Nigerians still face long queues, technical glitches and demands for bribes. From cargo tariffs at airports to customs duties on parcels, even basic entitlements are now out of reach for many. Experts warn that relying on user fees as a primary revenue source is unsustainable and excludes vulnerable citizens. A recent World Bank report underscores how rising costs have yet to translate into better living conditions for most Nigerians. Critics say the gap between official rhetoric and everyday experience highlights weak policy coordination and overreliance on fee increases. Without stronger social safety nets and transparency on how extra revenues are spent, public confidence risks further erosion.

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