The recent hike in the cost of obtaining a police clearance certificate (PCC) for immigration or study visa purposes by over 700% is completely unacceptable. The initial cost for the certificate was 5000 naira, but without warning, the price has now been increased to 40,000 naira.

This unfounded increase is coming at a time when Nigerians are facing high inflation rates, rising unemployment, widespread insecurity and hardship. This move is a highly insensitive gesture by the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force aimed at killing the dreams of numerous Nigerian youths who are striving to migrate to other countries for educational pursuits or greener pastures.

We are therefore calling the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to spearhead the reversal of the increase in cost of obtaining a PCC in Nigeria to 5,000 naira.