The federal government has ordered the immediate seizure and deactivation of Nigerian passports belonging to individuals who have officially renounced their citizenship.
The minister of interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, issued this order via a statement on his official X handle on Saturday. He directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to enforce the measure without delay.
A statement from the minister's media aide, Alao Babatunde, revealed the order specifically targets individuals whose renunciation of Nigerian citizenship has been officially authorised by the president, as required by the constitution.
Tunji-Ojo explained the action is intended to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s citizenship system and prevent the misuse of official travel documents.
Nigeria is among the nations that permits dual citizenship for its citizens by birth, but individuals who choose to legally renounce their nationality forfeit all rights and privileges associated with citizenship, including access to national identification and travel documents.
The latest order reinforces that position, making clear that the retention of Nigerian passports after renunciation is no longer acceptable under the law.
The government emphasised that citizenship is not only a legal status but also the foundation for access to sovereign identity—and once it is relinquished, the privileges attached to it end.
Although the government did not provide an exact figure regarding the number of Nigerians who have formally renounced their citizenship, the policy reflects a stricter enforcement stance by authorities on matters of nationality and documentation.
It also highlights the legal distinction between citizenship status and documentation, especially for persons who acquire foreign nationality and choose to relinquish their Nigerian identity.
The authorities did not share details on the modalities for identifying affected individuals or the timeline for full implementation.
Meanwhile, the NIS is expected to initiate compliance checks and deactivate affected passports in its database.
Constitutional justification
The minister justified the move by citing Section 29 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which outlines the process and implications of renouncing Nigerian citizenship.
According to the law, any Nigerian adult has the right to willingly give up their citizenship by making a formal declaration.
Those wishing to give up their Nigerian citizenship are required to submit a formal application to the Ministry of Interior and complete the prescribed renunciation form (Form G), obtainable online or at the ministry.
The procedures involve the submission of supporting documents, including a birth certificate, a letter of indigeneship, passport photographs, a sworn oath of renunciation, and a copy of the applicant’s Nigerian passport.
Applicants are also required to present a letter from the country whose citizenship they intend to acquire, confirming eligibility upon renunciation.
A processing fee of ₦20,000 must be paid at the point of application, while an additional ₦50,000 is required once the request is granted.
As soon as the declaration is registered by the president, the person officially loses their Nigerian citizenship.
“(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,” the statement clarified.
The minister added that, once a person loses their Nigerian citizenship, they can no longer carry any sovereign identification of the country, including the nation's passport.
