The Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to immediately deactivate and withdraw passports of individuals who formally renounce Nigerian citizenship.
The directive was issued by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement released on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Babatunde Alao.
According to the minister, the order applies to Nigerians whose renunciation requests have been formally approved by President Bola Tinubu.
What the Minister is saying
Tunji-Ojo said the directive is in line with constitutional provisions governing citizenship status.
- “Once a person ceases to be a citizen, they can no longer hold sovereign documents like the Nigerian passport.”
He cited Section 29(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires that renunciation declarations be registered by the President.
He noted that upon registration, the individual officially loses Nigerian citizenship status.
- “We are committed to securing Nigeria’s borders and ensuring only eligible citizens hold travel documents.”
He added that the move forms part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening border security and preventing identity-related fraud.
Get up to speed
The Nigerian Constitution outlines a structured process for renouncing citizenship.
A Nigerian of full age can voluntarily renounce citizenship by submitting a formal declaration.
- Applicants must complete Form G and submit the required documents, including a birth certificate, passport, and sworn oath.
- They must also provide proof of eligibility for citizenship in another country.
- A processing fee of N20,000 and an additional N50,000 upon approval are required.
- Once the President registers the declaration, the individual ceases to be a Nigerian citizen under the law.
More insights
The directive signals a stricter enforcement approach to citizenship and documentation.
Authorities are placing increased emphasis on ensuring that only qualified individuals retain Nigerian travel documents.
The policy is expected to reduce cases of dual-status ambiguity in official records. It also reinforces compliance with legal provisions governing nationality.
The government has not disclosed the number of Nigerians affected by the policy. The move reflects ongoing efforts to tighten administrative controls around identity and migration.
What you should know
The directive comes amid broader reforms within the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The NIS recently introduced an enhanced passport tracking system. The upgrade followed widespread complaints over delays in passport issuance and collection.
The new system is designed to improve transparency and service delivery. It also aims to address inefficiencies in the passport application process.
The reforms highlight the government’s push to modernise immigration services while strengthening regulatory oversight.
