FG orders passport withdrawal from renounced citizens
International passport
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to immediately withdraw and deactivate passports held by Nigerians who have formally renounced their citizenship.
In a statement by his SA Media, Alao Babatunde, the minister cited Section 29 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended): “(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.”
He emphasised, “once a person ceases to be a citizen of Nigeria, he can no longer carry any sovereign document of Nigeria, including the Nation’s passport.”
The move aligns with ongoing passport and visa reforms.
“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 unauthorized or ineligible access,” the minister added
