The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has instructed the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately withdraw and deactivate Nigerian passports issued to individuals who have officially renounced their citizenship.
The directive, issued in a statement on Saturday through the minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Alao Babatunde, applies to persons whose renunciation of Nigerian citizenship has been formally approved by the President.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the ministry derives its authority from Section 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the legal process for renouncing citizenship in Nigeria.
Under the constitutional provision, any adult citizen who chooses to give up Nigerian nationality must submit a formal declaration. Once such a declaration is duly registered and approved by the President, the individual automatically ceases to be a Nigerian citizen.
The minister stressed that once citizenship is relinquished, affected persons are no longer entitled to hold Nigerian sovereign documents, including international passports.
He further noted that the policy aligns with broader reforms currently being implemented within the passport and visa system to strengthen identity management and close existing loopholes that previously allowed former citizens to continue using Nigerian travel documents.
According to him, the reform is also aimed at enhancing border security, preventing identity fraud, and ensuring that only eligible individuals retain access to Nigerian identification and travel privileges.
“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 access,” Tunji-Ojo said.The directive is part of ongoing efforts by the Interior Ministry to improve the integrity of immigration processes and ensure strict compliance with citizenship laws.
According to media aide Alao Babatunde, the policy reinforces government commitment to secure identity management and lawful international travel documentation.
Fawzi Kehinde is a journalist and subeditor covering politics, metro and international news, and optimises stories for digital audiences in Nigeria today report states.
