Nigeria Withdraws Passports of Renounced Citizens
Last update: April 11, 2026
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Nigeria Government orders withdrawal and deactivation of passports of Nigerians who renounce citizenship...
The Federal Government of Nigeria has directed the immediate withdrawal and deactivation of Nigerian passports belonging to individuals who have formally renounced their citizenship.
CBI News reports that the order was issued by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who instructed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to implement the directive without delay, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Alao Babatunde.
The directive applies to Nigerians whose renunciation of citizenship has already been approved by the President.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the decision is based on constitutional provisions governing citizenship status.
It explained that the move is grounded in Section 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the legal process for renouncing Nigerian citizenship and provides that an individual ceases to be a citizen once the declaration is registered by the President.
Officials stated that withdrawing passports is necessary to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s sovereign travel documents, stressing that once citizenship is terminated, entitlement to a Nigerian passport automatically lapses.
The Minister referenced the constitutional provision, which states:
“(1) Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for the renunciation.
(2) The President shall cause the declaration made under subsection (1) of this section to be registered and upon such registration, the person who made the declaration shall cease to be a citizen of Nigeria”.
Tunji-Ojo added that the policy is part of wider passport and visa reforms aimed at strengthening border control and improving identity management systems.
“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,” the Minister said.
