The Federal Government has directed the immediate withdrawal and deactivation of Nigerian passports held by individuals who have formally renounced their citizenship.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, issued the directive to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), stating that the measure applies strictly to persons whose renunciation requests have been duly approved by the President.
According to the minister, the decision is grounded in the provisions of Section 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the legal process for renouncing Nigerian citizenship.
He explained that once the renunciation is registered, the individual ceases to be a Nigerian citizen and is no longer entitled to hold any official documents of the country.
“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,” Tunji-Ojo said.
The minister described the directive as part of broader efforts to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s citizenship system and prevent misuse of official travel documents.
He added that the move also aligns with ongoing passport and visa reforms aimed at strengthening national security and improving 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 unauthorised or ineligible access,” he said.
The government noted that the policy is intended to close existing gaps that previously allowed some former citizens to retain and use Nigerian passports even after their renunciation had been officially recognised.
The directive underscores renewed efforts by authorities to tighten compliance with citizenship laws and ensure that only eligible individuals hold Nigerian sovereign documents.
