The Federal Government of Nigeria has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately withdraw and deactivate the international passports of individuals who have formally renounced their Nigerian citizenship. The directive, issued on Saturday, marks a significant tightening of the nation’s identity management protocols and border security measures.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the order during a performance review meeting in the Federal Capital Territory. He emphasized that the possession of a Nigerian passport is a privilege reserved strictly for citizens. He noted that once a renunciation is officially approved and registered, the individual loses the legal right to hold any sovereign travel document associated with the Federal Republic.
"The Nigerian passport is a symbol of our sovereignty and a document of high integrity," Tunji-Ojo stated. He further clarified that the Nigeria Immigration Service has been mandated to ensure that such documents are either physically retrieved or electronically blacklisted in the global database to prevent further use for international travel.
The Minister cited Section 29 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the legal foundation for the move. The constitutional provision stipulates that any Nigerian of full age who wishes to renounce their citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner, and upon registration of such declaration, that person shall cease to be a citizen of Nigeria.