The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered the immediate withdrawal and deactivation of Nigerian passports held by individuals who have formally renounced their citizenship.
The directive, issued to the Nigeria Immigration Service, applies to persons whose renunciation requests have been duly approved and registered by the President, in line with constitutional provisions.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the decision is anchored on Section 29 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which provides that once a declaration of renunciation is registered, the individual ceases to be a Nigerian citizen.
He stressed that such individuals are no longer entitled to hold sovereign documents of the country, including the Nigerian passport, describing continued possession as a violation of legal and administrative protocols.
“This measure is critical to preserving the integrity of our citizenship system,” the minister said, warning that retention of Nigerian passports after renunciation is illegal and unacceptable.
He added that the directive forms part of broader reforms in the passport and visa system aimed at strengthening national security, improving identity management, and preventing fraud.
According to him, the initiative will help safeguard the sanctity of Nigerian citizenship while ensuring that only eligible individuals enjoy the rights and privileges associated with it.
The government also noted that the move is expected to enhance the credibility of Nigeria’s travel documents and reinforce border security mechanisms.
