Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has instructed the Nigeria Immigration Service to begin the immediate withdrawal and deactivation of passports belonging to individuals who have officially renounced their Nigerian citizenship.
The directive, announced on Friday, targets only those whose renunciation has been formally approved and recorded by the President, in accordance with constitutional requirements.
Citing Section 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Minister explained that any Nigerian of legal age has the right to renounce their citizenship. However, once the President registers such a declaration, the individual legally ceases to be a Nigerian citizen.
Tunji-Ojo stressed that former citizens are no longer entitled to possess official Nigerian documents, including passports. He described the continued use or retention of such documents after renunciation as a violation of established legal and administrative rules.
According to him, the move is part of broader reforms within the Ministry of Interior aimed at strengthening national security, improving identity management, and preventing misuse of official travel documents.
He added that the policy will help protect the integrity of Nigeria’s passport system, ensuring that only legitimate citizens can access and benefit from the rights tied to Nigerian nationality.