The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to immediately withdraw and deactivate passports held by individuals who have formally renounced their Nigerian citizenship.

The directive was clarified in a statement issued on Friday by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Alao Babatunde, who noted that the order applies strictly to persons whose renunciation requests have been duly approved by the President.

According to the Minister, the action is in line with the constitutional provisions governing citizenship. He cited Section 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which stipulates that any Nigerian of full age wishing to renounce citizenship must make a formal declaration, and upon registration of such declaration by the President, the individual ceases to be a citizen of Nigeria.

Tunji-Ojo emphasized that once citizenship is relinquished, the individual is no longer entitled to hold any sovereign document of the country, including a Nigerian passport.

He further stated that the directive aligns with ongoing passport and visa reforms aimed at strengthening the integrity of Nigeria’s immigration system.

The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing border security, preventing identity fraud, and safeguarding the sanctity of Nigerian citizenship, while also facilitating legitimate travel and restricting access to unauthorized individuals.