ABUJA — The Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to immediately withdraw and deactivate the international passports of all individuals who have formally renounced their Nigerian citizenship.
The directive was issued on Saturday by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Alao Babatunde. The move is aimed at closing a legal and administrative gap that previously allowed former citizens to retain and use Nigerian travel documents even after their renunciation had been officially recognised.
Citing Section 29, subsections (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Minister emphasised that once the President registers a declaration of renunciation, the individual “shall cease to be a citizen of Nigeria”.
“Once a person ceases to be a citizen, they can no longer hold any sovereign document of Nigeria, including a passport,” Tunji-Ojo stated. He described the move as consistent with ongoing passport and visa reforms undertaken by the ministry in recent years to strengthen border security, prevent identity fraud, and preserve the sanctity of Nigerian citizenship.
The directive applies strictly to Nigerians whose renunciation requests have been formally approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. While Nigeria permits dual citizenship for citizens by birth, individuals who voluntarily renounce their nationality lose all rights and privileges associated with citizenship, including access to national identification and travel documents.
The policy has drawn support from prominent voices, including former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani, who described it as “the right thing to do.” Sani added, “When people decide to change nationality, their choice should be respected, and it should be enforced completely”.
The NIS is expected to commence a systematic audit of its database to electronically deactivate affected passports, thereby preventing their use at border control points globally.
All rights reserved © 2026 CDA News Nigeria. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written permission.
Privacy Policy: CDA News Nigeria is committed to protecting your privacy. We collect and use personal information solely for delivering news updates and improving your experience. Your data is never shared with third parties without explicit consent. For full details, visit our website.
Contact: For news tips, inquiries, or feedback, contact CDA News Nigeria at info@cdanews.ng or visit our headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
