FG orders withdrawal of passports from Nigerians who renounce citizenship

The Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to withdraw or deactivate passports belonging to individuals who have formally renounced their Nigerian citizenship.

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The directive was issued by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who said the move targets those whose renunciation requests have already been approved by the President.

“This directive applies to Nigerians whose requests for renunciation have formally been approved by the President,” the minister stated. He emphasised that some individuals who have renounced their citizenship are still holding Nigerian passports, which is no longer legally permissible.

According to a statement signed by his media adviser, Alao Babatunde, the decision is backed by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, specifically Section 29.

The minister quoted the provision: “(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 explained that once citizenship is renounced and approved, the individual loses the right to hold 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 aligns with ongoing passport and visa reforms aimed at strengthening border security and identity management.

“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.