April 11, 2026 | News | SUNTV Global Channel
The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal and deactivation of Nigerian passports belonging to individuals who have formally renounced their citizenship.
The directive was issued by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who instructed the Nigeria Immigration Service to enforce the policy without delay.
According to a statement released by the minister’s media aide, the order applies strictly to persons whose renunciation of Nigerian citizenship has been officially processed and approved in line with constitutional provisions.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the move is backed by Section 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the legal process for renouncing citizenship and its consequences.
Under the law, once a declaration of renunciation is registered and endorsed by the President, the individual ceases to be recognised as a Nigerian citizen and, by extension, loses the right to hold a Nigerian passport.
The minister noted that the directive is aimed at preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s citizenship system and preventing misuse of official travel documents.
He revealed that, in the past, lapses in enforcement allowed some individuals who had renounced their citizenship to continue using Nigerian passports—an issue the government now seeks to eliminate.
“This step is necessary to ensure that our identity management system accurately reflects the current legal status of individuals,” the statement noted.
The policy is also part of broader reforms within the Nigeria Immigration Service focused on modernising passport processes, strengthening data verification systems, and aligning Nigeria’s travel documentation with global standards.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised that maintaining the credibility of Nigerian passports is critical for national security and international trust, adding that strict monitoring and enforcement will follow.
He warned that any attempt to retain or use a Nigerian passport after renouncing citizenship would be treated as a violation of the law.
Observers say the move highlights the government’s renewed effort to enforce citizenship laws and tighten control over national identity systems.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and bring you updates on policy changes affecting Nigerians at home and abroad.
