Nigeria to withdraw passports from citizens who renounce their status

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has instructed the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately withdraw and deactivate passports belonging to individuals who have formally renounced their Nigerian citizenship. This directive, issued through his Special Adviser on Media, Alao Babatunde, applies to those whose renunciation requests have received presidential approval. Minister Tunji-Ojo stated that the ministry's authority for this action stems from Section 291 and 2 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. This constitutional provision outlines that a Nigerian citizen of full age can renounce their citizenship through a prescribed declaration, and upon registration of this declaration by the President, the individual ceases to be a citizen of Nigeria. The Minister emphasized that once a person is no longer a citizen, they cannot possess any Nigerian sovereign document, including a passport. He also noted that this measure aligns with ongoing passport and visa reforms by the ministry, aiming to prevent former citizens from using Nigerian passports after their renunciation has been officially recognized. Tunji-Ojo affirmed the commitment to strengthening systems that secure Nigeria's borders, prevent identity fraud, preserve the sanctity of Nigerian citizenship, and facilitate legitimate travel while preventing unauthorized access.