By Ayomide Otitoju
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately withdraw and deactivate passports belonging to Nigerians who have formally renounced their citizenship.
The minister clarified that the directive applies only to individuals whose renunciation requests have been duly approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tunji-Ojo said the decision is anchored on the provisions of Section 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which stipulate that a citizen who renounces Nigerian citizenship ceases to be a citizen upon registration of the declaration by the President.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Alao Babatunde, the minister stressed that individuals who are no longer Nigerian citizens are not entitled to hold sovereign documents, including Nigerian passports.
He noted that the directive aligns with ongoing passport and visa reforms by the ministry aimed at strengthening identity management and safeguarding national integrity.
“We will continue to strengthen systems that secure Nigeria’s borders, prevent identity fraud, preserve the sanctity of Nigerian citizenship, and facilitate legitimate travel while preventing unauthorised or ineligible access,” the statement quoted the minister as saying.
The move follows recent migration and border security agreements between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, signed during President Tinubu’s state visit in March.
Tunji-Ojo said the agreements reflect Nigeria’s commitment to a transparent and rules-based migration system, while also addressing abuses of legal pathways and enhancing border control.
He added that the memoranda of understanding are expected to boost trade and ease business mobility, in line with the Federal Government’s broader economic objectives.
