By John Umeh
The Federal Government has ordered the immediate withdrawal and deactivation of Nigerian passports belonging to individuals who have officially renounced their Nigerian citizenship.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, issued the directive to the Nigeria Immigration Service, according to a statement released on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media, Alao Babatunde. The order applies specifically to Nigerians whose renunciation of citizenship has been formally approved by the President.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the ministry’s decision is backed by Section 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the process for renouncing Nigerian citizenship.
The constitutional provision states that any Nigerian of full age who wishes to renounce citizenship must submit a formal declaration. Once the President registers the declaration, the individual officially ceases to be a Nigerian citizen.
The minister emphasized that individuals who are no longer citizens cannot retain any Nigerian sovereign documents, including passports.
He noted that the directive forms part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s passport and visa systems. According to him, the move is also designed to close existing loopholes that previously allowed former citizens to continue using Nigerian passports even after their citizenship status had changed.
Tunji-Ojo added that the government remains committed to improving border security, preventing identity fraud, safeguarding the integrity of Nigerian citizenship, and ensuring that travel documents are used only by eligible individuals.
“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 unauthorised or ineligible access,” the minister said.
