The administration of President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal and deactivation of Nigerian passports belonging to individuals who have formally renounced their citizenship, in a move aimed at reinforcing the integrity of the country’s identity and travel documentation system.
The directive was announced by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who instructed the Nigeria Immigration Service to enforce the order without delay. The policy applies to all individuals whose renunciation of Nigerian citizenship has been duly processed, approved, and formally registered in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Details of the directive were made public in a statement issued by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Alao Babatunde, on Saturday. According to the statement, the measure specifically targets former citizens whose renunciation has received presidential endorsement, thereby completing the legal process required for relinquishing Nigerian nationality.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the action is firmly grounded in the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, particularly Section 29(1) and (2), which outlines the procedure and legal consequences of renouncing citizenship. Under this framework, any Nigerian of full age who wishes to relinquish their nationality must submit a formal declaration in the prescribed manner. Once the President approves and registers the declaration, the individual ceases to be a citizen of Nigeria.
The minister emphasised that the cessation of citizenship status carries clear legal implications, including the loss of entitlement to Nigerian official documents such as passports. He noted that retaining such documents after renunciation constitutes a contradiction of the law and undermines the credibility of the country’s identity system.
“Once the renunciation process is completed and properly registered, the individual is no longer recognised as a Nigerian citizen under the law,” the minister stated. “Consequently, such a person is no longer entitled to hold or use a Nigerian passport.”
He further explained that the directive is part of a broader policy initiative by the Ministry of Interior to strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s citizenship framework and eliminate loopholes that could be exploited for fraudulent or unlawful purposes. According to him, past lapses in enforcement had allowed some individuals who had legally renounced their citizenship to continue travelling with Nigerian passports, thereby creating inconsistencies in official records.
The latest directive, he said, seeks to address these gaps by ensuring that all identity and travel documents accurately reflect the current legal status of individuals. By doing so, the government aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and reliability within the national identity management system.
Tunji-Ojo also linked the decision to ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Immigration Service, which are focused on modernising passport issuance processes, improving data verification systems, and aligning Nigeria’s practices with global standards. These reforms, he noted, are essential for maintaining the credibility of Nigerian travel documents in the international community.
“The credibility of our passport is critical, not just for national security but also for our global reputation,” he said. “We must ensure that our documentation systems are robust, accurate, and in line with international best practices.”
The minister stressed that safeguarding the integrity of Nigerian passports is vital for maintaining trust with foreign governments, international organisations, and border control authorities worldwide. Any discrepancy between an individual’s legal status and the documents they carry, he warned, could expose the country to reputational risks and security vulnerabilities.
In addition to addressing passport misuse, the directive forms part of a wider strategy to strengthen border management and combat identity-related infractions. Tunji-Ojo noted that the government is increasingly leveraging technology-driven solutions to enhance surveillance, data management, and verification processes across all entry and exit points.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to deploying policies and systems that support legitimate travel while preventing unauthorised or ineligible access to Nigerian documentation. According to him, these efforts are crucial for ensuring that the country’s borders remain secure and that its identity systems are not compromised.
“We will continue to strengthen systems that secure Nigeria’s borders, prevent identity fraud, preserve the sanctity of Nigerian citizenship, and facilitate legitimate travel,” the minister said.
He also issued a warning to affected individuals, stating that any attempt to retain or use a Nigerian passport after formally renouncing citizenship would be treated as a violation of the law. He assured that the ministry would closely monitor compliance and take appropriate enforcement actions where necessary.
Observers say the directive reflects a growing emphasis by the federal government on enforcing the legal consequences of citizenship decisions. They note that while the right to renounce citizenship is constitutionally guaranteed, it must be accompanied by strict adherence to the associated obligations and limitations.
Analysts also view the move as part of a broader effort to modernise Nigeria’s administrative and regulatory systems, particularly in areas related to identity management and migration control. By ensuring that official records are accurate and up to date, the government aims to improve efficiency, reduce fraud, and enhance public confidence in state institutions.
The policy has also sparked discussions about the implications of dual citizenship and migration trends among Nigerians, especially in the context of increasing global mobility. While the directive applies specifically to individuals who have fully renounced their Nigerian citizenship, it underscores the importance of clarity in legal status and documentation.
As implementation begins, stakeholders are expected to monitor its impact on compliance levels and the overall effectiveness of Nigeria’s identity management framework. The Ministry of Interior has indicated that it will continue to review and refine its policies to ensure they remain responsive to emerging challenges and aligned with international standards.
Ultimately, the directive signals the government’s resolve to uphold the rule of law and maintain the integrity of Nigeria’s citizenship system, reinforcing the principle that national identity documents must correspond strictly with an individual’s legal status.
