The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately withdraw and deactivate Nigerian international passports held by persons who have formally renounced their citizenship.
The directive applies specifically to individuals whose renunciation of Nigerian citizenship has been duly approved by the President but who are still in possession of Nigerian passports.
Tunji-Ojo said the move is anchored on the Ministry’s mandate to protect the integrity of citizenship administration, noting that the action derives from Section 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The constitutional provision states that any Nigerian citizen of full age who wishes to renounce citizenship must make a formal declaration, which upon registration by the President results in the person ceasing to be a citizen of Nigeria.
He stressed that once citizenship is relinquished, such individuals are no longer entitled to hold any sovereign Nigerian document, including the international passport.
According to him, the policy is part of ongoing passport and visa reforms aimed at strengthening identity management and border security systems.
“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 stated.
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