The Federal Government has instructed the Nigeria Immigration Service to withdraw or deactivate passports held by individuals who have officially renounced their Nigerian citizenship.
The directive was issued by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who clarified that it applies to persons whose renunciation requests have been formally approved by the President.
“This directive applies to Nigerians whose requests for renunciation have been approved by the President,” the minister said, noting that some individuals who have given up their citizenship are still in possession of Nigerian passports, which is no longer legally allowed.
In a statement signed by his media adviser, Alao Babatunde, the government cited the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, specifically Section 29, as the legal basis for the decision.
Quoting the provision, the minister explained that any Nigerian of full age who wishes to renounce citizenship must make a formal declaration, which the President must register. Once registered, the individual ceases to be a Nigerian citizen.
Tunji-Ojo stressed that individuals who have renounced their citizenship lose the right to hold Nigerian sovereign documents, including passports.
“Once a person ceases to be a citizen of Nigeria, they can no longer possess any sovereign document of Nigeria, including the nation’s passport,” he said.
He added that the move is part of broader passport and visa reforms aimed at improving border security and strengthening identity management systems.
“We will continue to enhance measures that secure Nigeria’s borders, prevent identity fraud, uphold the integrity of Nigerian citizenship, and support legitimate travel while restricting unauthorized access,” the minister added.
