The Nigerian Government has directed the immediate withdrawal and deactivation of passports held by individuals who have formally renounced their citizenship.
The directive was issued by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as part of efforts to strengthen citizenship regulations and prevent misuse of national identity documents.
The minister instructed the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately deactivate passports belonging to former citizens.
According to the directive, the measure applies only to individuals whose renunciation has been officially approved by the President.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the directive is backed by provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
Under Section 29, any Nigerian of full age can renounce their citizenship through a formal declaration. Once the President approves and registers the request, the individual ceases to be a Nigerian citizen.
The minister stressed that individuals who are no longer citizens cannot legally hold Nigerian passports.
He noted that a passport is a sovereign document reserved strictly for citizens. Therefore, retaining it after renouncing citizenship contradicts the law.
Furthermore, the government said the directive aims to address gaps in the system.
In the past, some individuals reportedly continued to travel using Nigerian passports even after their renunciation had been approved. The new policy seeks to eliminate that loophole.
Tunji-Ojo added that the move aligns with ongoing passport and visa reforms.
He said the government will continue to improve border security, prevent identity fraud, and protect the integrity of Nigerian citizenship.
At the same time, authorities aim to support legitimate travel while restricting access for ineligible individuals.
The directive signals a stricter approach to citizenship management in Nigeria.
As enforcement begins, affected individuals will need to comply with the new rules or risk legal consequences.
