Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to immediately cancel passports belonging to individuals who have formally renounced their Nigerian citizenship.

The directive, issued in Abuja, was conveyed in a statement released on Saturday by the minister’s media aide, Babatunde Alao.

According to the statement, the policy applies strictly to individuals whose renunciation of citizenship has been duly approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in line with constitutional provisions.

Tunji-Ojo cited Section 29(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which stipulates that a declaration of renunciation only becomes valid upon registration by the President.

He explained that once such approval is granted, the individual ceases to be recognised as a Nigerian citizen.

The minister stressed that former citizens are not entitled to retain national identification or travel documents, including the Nigerian passport, describing such documents as sovereign assets reserved exclusively for citizens.

He noted that the directive forms part of broader immigration reforms aimed at strengthening border security, enhancing identity management, and curbing the fraudulent use of official travel documents.

“We are focused on ensuring that only qualified Nigerians have access to official travel documents,” Tunji-Ojo stated, adding that the reforms are critical to safeguarding national security.