The Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to immediately withdraw or deactivate the passports of individuals who have formally renounced their Nigerian citizenship.
The directive was issued by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who stated that some individuals who have completed the renunciation process still retain Nigerian travel documents.
According to the minister, the order applies specifically to persons whose renunciation requests have been duly approved by the President, in line with constitutional provisions.
In a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Alao Babatunde, Tunji-Ojo explained that the Ministry of Interior derives its authority from Section 29, subsections (1) and (2), of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the legal process for renouncing Nigerian citizenship.
He quoted the Constitution as stating that any Nigerian of full age wishing to renounce citizenship must make a formal declaration, which, upon registration by the President, results in the individual ceasing to be a Nigerian citizen.
The minister emphasized that once citizenship is relinquished, the individual is no longer entitled to possess any sovereign document of the country, including a Nigerian passport.
Tunji-Ojo added that the move aligns with ongoing passport and visa reforms by the ministry aimed at strengthening border security, preventing identity fraud, and preserving the integrity of Nigerian citizenship.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing systems that support legitimate travel while restricting access to those no longer eligible.
