Minister Orders Withdrawal of Passports from Ex-Citizens

On Friday, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, the Minister of Interior, announced a directive for the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately withdraw and deactivate Nigerian passports held by individuals who have formally renounced their citizenship. This decision is rooted in Section 29(1)(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which outlines the legal framework for renouncing Nigerian citizenship.

Tunji Ojo emphasized that once an individual relinquishes their citizenship, they are no longer entitled to hold any sovereign documents of the Nigerian state, including the national passport. The minister criticized the retention of Nigerian passports by those who have renounced their citizenship as a breach of legal administrative protocol.

This move aligns with ongoing passport and visa reforms aimed at strengthening national security and improving identity management systems, while also safeguarding the sanctity of citizenship and facilitating legitimate travel for eligible citizens.