The Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to withdraw and deactivate passports belonging to individuals who have officially renounced their Nigerian citizenship. The directive, issued by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, applies strictly to persons whose renunciation has been formally approved by the President.
According to a statement from the Ministry, the Minister emphasized that the Ministry of Interior, entrusted with safeguarding the integrity of citizenship, derives its authority from Section 29, subsections (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The constitutional provisions state that any Nigerian citizen of full age who wishes to renounce citizenship must make a formal declaration, and upon presidential approval and registration, such a person ceases to be a Nigerian citizen.
The Minister further clarified that once an individual ceases to be a Nigerian citizen, they are no longer entitled to possess any sovereign document of the country, including the Nigerian passport. This directive is part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening the integrity of Nigeria’s citizenship and travel documentation systems.
Officials noted that the move aligns with ongoing passport and visa reforms initiated by the Ministry in recent years. The Ministry reiterated its commitment to enhancing 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 to Nigerian travel documents.
The directive underscores the government’s resolve to ensure that citizenship and passport issuance remain strictly regulated, reflecting both constitutional mandates and international best practices in identity and border management.
