FG Orders Withdrawal of Passports from Nigerians Who Renounce Citizenship
The Federal Government has directed the withdrawal and deactivation of Nigerian passports held by individuals who have officially renounced their citizenship.
The directive was issued by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to the Nigeria Immigration Service as part of efforts to safeguard the integrity of the country’s citizenship and travel documentation system.
According to the government, the order applies strictly to individuals whose renunciation of Nigerian nationality has been formally approved by the President. Once the process is completed, such persons cease to be Nigerian citizens and are no longer entitled to hold the country’s passport.
The minister explained that the decision is rooted in Section 29 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which provides the legal framework for renouncing citizenship and outlines the implications of such action.
He emphasised that Nigerian passports remain the property of the Federal Government and are issued only to citizens. Retaining them after renouncing nationality, he noted, raises both legal and security concerns.
The move is part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening border control, preventing identity-related abuses, and ensuring that only qualified individuals have access to Nigeria’s official travel documents.
Tunji-Ojo added that the government remains committed to enforcing laws that protect national identity while improving the credibility and security of the country’s immigration system.
