Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered the immediate withdrawal and deactivation of passports belonging to individuals who have officially renounced their Nigerian citizenship.
The directive, which applies to both Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, targets only those whose renunciation requests have been formally approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the minister, the move is grounded in Section 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that once a declaration of renunciation is registered by the President, the individual ceases to be a Nigerian citizen.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that anyone who is no longer a citizen is not entitled to hold Nigerian sovereign documents, including passports. He framed the decision as part of broader efforts to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s citizenship system and prevent misuse of official documents.
“We will continue to strengthen systems that secure Nigeria’s borders, prevent identity fraud, preserve the sanctity of Nigerian citizenship, and support legitimate travel,” the minister stated.
This development also aligns with Nigeria’s recent migration and border security reforms, including agreements signed with the United Kingdom during President Tinubu’s state visit in March. These agreements focus on tackling organised immigration crime, improving border control, and ensuring a more transparent and rules-based migration system.
The government believes these measures will not only curb abuse of migration pathways but also support trade, business mobility, and Nigeria’s broader economic goals.
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