The Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to withdraw or deactivate passports belonging to individuals who have formally renounced their Nigerian citizenship.
The directive was issued by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who said the move targets those whose renunciation requests have already been approved by the President.
The minister stated that the directive applies to Nigerians whose requests for renunciation have been formally approved by the President. He emphasised that some individuals who have renounced their citizenship are still holding Nigerian passports, which is no longer legally permissible.
According to a statement signed by his media adviser, Alao Babatunde, the decision is backed by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, specifically Section 29.
He explained that the Constitution provides that any Nigerian citizen of full age who wishes to renounce citizenship must make a declaration, which the President is required to register, after which the individual ceases to be a citizen of Nigeria.
Tunji-Ojo further explained that once citizenship is renounced and approved, the individual loses the right to hold any Nigerian sovereign document, including a passport.
He added that the directive aligns with ongoing passport and visa reforms aimed at strengthening border security and identity management.
The minister also said the government will continue to strengthen systems that secure Nigeria’s borders, prevent identity fraud, preserve the sanctity of Nigerian citizenship, and facilitate legitimate travel while preventing unauthorized or ineligible access.
