The Federal Government has ordered the immediate withdrawal and deactivation of Nigerian passports held by individuals who have formally renounced their citizenship.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, issued the directive to the Nigeria Immigration Service, stating that only those whose renunciation has been approved by the President are affected.
According to the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Alao Babatunde, the decision is anchored on Section 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the process for renouncing Nigerian citizenship.
“The President shall cause the declaration made under subsection (1) of this section to be registered and upon such registration, the person who made the declaration shall cease to be a citizen of Nigeria,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that once an individual ceases to be a Nigerian citizen, they are no longer entitled to hold any sovereign document of the country, including its passport.
The directive is part of ongoing passport and visa reforms by the Ministry of Interior, aimed at tightening border security, preventing identity fraud, and safeguarding 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 added.