The Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately deactivate and withdraw the passports of individuals who formally renounce their Nigerian citizenship. The directive was issued by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and announced in a statement released on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Babatunde Alao.
According to the minister, the order specifically applies to Nigerians whose requests to renounce their citizenship have already been formally approved by Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He explained that the directive is consistent with constitutional provisions governing citizenship status and the possession of sovereign documents such as the Nigerian passport. Tunji-Ojo noted that once an individual ceases to be a Nigerian citizen, they are no longer legally entitled to hold official travel documents issued by the country.
Citing Section 29(2) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, the minister explained that renunciation of citizenship must be formally registered by the President before it becomes valid. Once the declaration is registered, the individual officially loses Nigerian citizenship status and cannot retain documents that signify nationality. He emphasised that the measure is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and ensure that only eligible citizens hold Nigerian passports. According to him, the policy will also help prevent identity-related fraud and improve the integrity of the country’s immigration system.
Under Nigeria’s legal framework, citizens who wish to renounce their nationality must follow a structured procedure. Individuals of full age may voluntarily give up their citizenship by submitting a formal declaration to the government. The process requires applicants to complete Form G and provide supporting documentation, including a birth certificate, their Nigerian passport, and a sworn oath confirming the decision. Applicants must also present evidence that they are eligible for citizenship in another country. The process involves a payment of ₦20,000 as a processing fee and an additional ₦50,000 upon approval of the application. Once the President registers the declaration, the individual legally ceases to be a Nigerian citizen.
The latest directive signals a stricter enforcement approach by authorities regarding citizenship status and the control of official travel documents. Government officials say the measure will reduce cases of dual-status ambiguity in official records and reinforce compliance with existing laws governing nationality. While the government has not disclosed the number of individuals affected by the decision, the policy reflects broader efforts to strengthen administrative oversight of identity and migration systems in the country.
The development also comes amid wider reforms within the Nigeria Immigration Service aimed at improving service delivery and modernising immigration processes. Recently, the agency introduced an upgraded passport tracking system following widespread complaints from applicants about delays in passport issuance and collection. The enhanced system is expected to improve transparency, streamline the passport application process, and address long-standing inefficiencies in the service.
Officials say these reforms demonstrate the government’s commitment to modernising immigration services while strengthening regulatory control over identity management and border security.
