FG Orders Immediate Withdrawal of Passports from Former Citizens

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has issued a decisive directive to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to immediately withdraw and deactivate the passports of individuals who have formally renounced their Nigerian citizenship. The announcement, made on Saturday, April 11, 2026, targets those whose renunciation requests have been officially registered and approved by the President.
Citing Section 29 of the 1999 Constitution, the Minister emphasized that once a person ceases to be a Nigerian citizen, they lose the legal right to hold any sovereign document of the Federation.

This move is designed to close a long-standing loophole that allowed former citizens to continue traveling with Nigerian passports even after their change in status had been recognized. Tunji-Ojo described the policy as a vital step in the ministry's ongoing reforms to sanitize the passport issuance system and prevent identity fraud.

By deactivating these documents, the Federal Government aims to preserve the "sanctity of Nigerian citizenship" and ensure that only eligible individuals can access the privileges associated with the national passport.

Do you think this move will effectively curb identity fraud, or should the government focus more on the reasons why more citizens are choosing to renounce their status? Share your comments below!

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