The Federal Government has ordered the immediate withdrawal and deactivation of Nigerian passports held by citizens who have officially renounced their nationality.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, gave the directive on *Saturday, April 11, 2026*, instructing the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to act on all cases where renunciation of citizenship has been formally completed and approved by the President.
“Once a person loses Nigerian citizenship, they are no longer entitled to carry any sovereign document of the state, including its passport,”_ Tunji-Ojo said in a statement issued through his media aide, Alao Babatunde
Legal Basis
The minister cited *Section 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution*, as amended, which states: “Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner… The President shall cause the declaration to be registered, and upon such registration, the person who made the declaration shall cease to be a citizen of Nigeria.”
Scope of Directive
The order applies only to individuals whose renunciation requests have gone through due process and received presidential approval. It does *not* affect dual nationals who retain Nigerian citizenship.
Tunji-Ojo said gaps in enforcement had previously allowed some former citizens to continue travelling with Nigerian passports despite having legally relinquished their nationality. The directive is intended to close those loopholes.
Broader Reforms
The minister said the move is part of ongoing passport and visa reforms aimed at strengthening border security, preventing identity fraud, and preserving the integrity of Nigerian citizenship.
“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,” he said.
The Ministry warned that any attempt to retain or use a Nigerian passport after renouncing citizenship will be treated as a violation of the law.
Related Development
Separately, the Senate is considering a bill to suspend passports for 10 years for Nigerians convicted of crimes abroad, as part of wider efforts to tighten identity management.
