The Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to withdraw or deactivate passports belonging to individuals who have formally renounced their Nigerian citizenship, in line with constitutional provisions and ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening national identity management.
The directive was issued by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who clarified that the move applies strictly to individuals whose renunciation requests have been formally approved by the President. He stated, “This directive applies to Nigerians whose requests for renunciation have formally been approved by the President,” stressing that it is no longer legally permissible for such individuals to retain Nigerian passports.
According to a statement signed by his media adviser, Alao Babatunde, the decision is anchored on the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, specifically Section 29, which outlines the legal process and implications of renouncing citizenship.
Quoting the constitutional provision, the minister said: “(1) Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration… (2) The President shall cause the declaration… to be registered and upon such registration, the person… shall cease to be a citizen of Nigeria.”
Tunji-Ojo further explained that once citizenship is renounced and duly approved, the individual forfeits the right to possess any Nigerian sovereign document. “Once a person ceases to be a citizen of Nigeria, he can no longer carry any sovereign document of Nigeria, including the Nation’s passport,” he said.
He added that the directive forms part of broader passport and visa reforms being implemented by the government to enhance border security, curb identity fraud, and safeguard the integrity of Nigerian citizenship.
“We 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,” the minister said.
