Federal government has ordered the withdrawal of Nigerian passports from individuals who have formally renounced their citizenship.
Gatekeepers News reports that the directive was issued by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to the Nigeria Immigration Service through a statement signed by his media aide, Alao Babatunde.
The minister explained that the order applies specifically to Nigerians whose requests to renounce their citizenship have been officially approved by the President. He noted that once such approval is granted, the individuals cease to be Nigerian citizens and are no longer entitled to hold Nigerian passports.
Citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution, Tunji-Ojo stated that citizenship renunciation becomes effective once the declaration is registered by the President, after which the individual loses all rights attached to Nigerian nationality.
He stressed that former citizens cannot retain “sovereign documents” like passports, adding that the move is part of efforts to strengthen national identity systems, curb identity fraud, and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s citizenship framework.
The directive is also said to align with ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s passport and visa processes, aimed at enhancing border security while ensuring that only eligible individuals have access to official travel documents.
