The Federal Government has ordered the immediate withdrawal and deactivation of Nigerian passports issued to individuals who have formally renounced their citizenship.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to implement the decision without delay. The directive was confirmed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Alao Babatunde.
The policy targets former Nigerians whose applications to renounce their citizenship have already been approved by the President.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the action is backed by provisions in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, specifically Section 29(1) and (2), which detail the process of renunciation and state that individuals cease to be citizens once their declarations are officially registered.
Government officials said the move is necessary to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s travel documents. The Minister stressed that the right to hold a Nigerian passport automatically ends once citizenship is relinquished.
Tunji-Ojo added that the directive aligns with ongoing reforms in the passport and visa system, aimed at strengthening border security, improving identity management, and preventing misuse of official documents while supporting legitimate travel.
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