The Federal Government, through the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to withdraw and deactivate passports belonging to individuals who have officially renounced their Nigerian citizenship, with the directive announced on Saturday as part of efforts to regulate citizenship records and travel documents.
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The order applies to persons whose renunciation of citizenship has been approved by the President in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. The ministry stated that once such approval is granted and the process completed, the affected individuals are no longer recognised as citizens of Nigeria and are therefore not entitled to hold Nigerian passports.
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The directive is based on constitutional provisions that allow citizens of full age to renounce their nationality through a formal process, after which the President registers the declaration and the individual ceases to be a citizen. Following this change in status, the government maintains that retaining Nigerian travel documents is no longer valid.
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According to the ministry, the move is part of ongoing reforms in passport administration and border control systems. It is aimed at closing existing gaps that previously allowed some former citizens to continue using Nigerian passports even after their status had changed.
The government also stated that the decision is intended to strengthen identity management, prevent misuse of official documents, and ensure that only eligible individuals have access to Nigerian travel documents, while supporting proper migration and travel processes.
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