The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to immediately withdraw and deactivate passports belonging to individuals who have formally renounced their Nigerian citizenship.
The directive, conveyed in a statement by his media aide, applies to persons whose renunciation has been duly approved by the President.
Tunji-Ojo said the move is backed by Section 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which provides that a citizen who formally renounces nationality ceases to be Nigerian upon registration of the declaration.
According to him, once citizenship is relinquished, affected individuals are no longer entitled to hold sovereign documents of the country, including passports.
The minister explained that the directive is part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s passport and visa systems.
He added that the measure is designed to address a loophole that previously allowed former citizens to continue using Nigerian passports even after their renunciation had been officially recognised.
“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,” Tunji-Ojo said.
