Nigerians living in Kenya have expressed outrage over alleged unauthorized fees imposed by the Nigerian High Commission in Nairobi for passport renewal services.
Reverend Brother Moses Fegher, a Nigerian missionary in Kenya, described the situation as “a new form of exploitation” targeting citizens abroad.
According to Fegher, the High Commission charges an additional $42 on top of the official $180 passport fee. This includes a $30 “Cash on Delivery” (COD) charge, which he claims is unrelated to courier services, and a $12 transaction fee for using a mandatory electronic payment system.
The COD charge, Fegher emphasized, is an unexplained surcharge burdening Nigerians already struggling with economic challenges.
Previously, applicants could pay approximately $20 through Kenya’s M-Pesa platform or in cash.
However, the introduction of the integrated payment system has driven costs up to Ksh 5,045 (around $30), sparking allegations of financial exploitation.
“Even if you have a Visa Card, you cannot pay directly with Nigerian currency. You must use a specific platform to buy the $180 passport fee at an additional cost of $12,” Fegher explained, calling on the Nigerian government to clarify these charges.
This is not the first time Fegher has criticized the High Commission. In 2022, he accused officials of passport racketeering and neglecting the welfare of Nigerians abroad.
“The officials prioritize their pockets over the welfare of Nigerians they are supposed to protect,” he said.
When contacted, Alao Babatunde, an aide to Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, acknowledged that such charges are unauthorized but requested time for further clarification. No additional comments were provided at the time of publication.
The allegations have fueled calls for accountability and reform, as Nigerians abroad demand transparency in the services meant to support them.
