The directive was issued by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement shared on his official X account on Saturday. He instructed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to implement the order without delay.
According to a statement signed by his media aide, Alao Babatunde, the policy applies strictly to individuals whose renunciation of Nigerian citizenship has been duly approved by the President, in line with constitutional provisions.
Tunji-Ojo said the move is aimed at safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s citizenship system and preventing the misuse of official travel documents.
Background
Nigeria permits dual citizenship for citizens by birth; however, individuals who formally renounce their nationality forfeit all associated rights and privileges, including access to national identification and travel documents.
The new directive reinforces this legal position, stating that retaining a Nigerian passport after renunciation is no longer permitted under the law.
The government emphasised that citizenship is not only a legal status but also the basis of national identity, and once relinquished, all associated privileges automatically cease.
While the number of Nigerians who have renounced their citizenship was not disclosed, the policy signals a stricter enforcement approach to nationality and documentation.
Authorities also highlighted the legal distinction between citizenship status and identity documents, particularly for individuals who acquire foreign nationality and give up Nigerian citizenship.
The Ministry did not provide details on how affected individuals will be identified or when full implementation will begin. However, the NIS is expected to begin compliance checks and update its database to deactivate relevant passports.
Constitutional basis
The minister anchored the directive on Section 29 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999), which outlines the process and implications of renouncing Nigerian citizenship.
Under the law, any Nigerian of full age may voluntarily renounce citizenship by submitting a formal declaration.
Applicants are required to file a request with the Ministry of Interior using the prescribed Form G, along with supporting documents including a birth certificate, indigeneship letter, passport photographs, a sworn oath of renunciation, and a copy of their Nigerian passport.
They must also provide documentation from the country of intended citizenship confirming eligibility upon renunciation. A processing fee of ₦20,000 is required at application, while an additional ₦50,000 is payable upon approval.
Once the declaration is registered by the President, the individual ceases to be a citizen of Nigeria.
As stated in the provision: “A citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner… upon such registration, the person shall cease to be a citizen.”
The statement added that once citizenship is lost, the individual can no longer hold Nigerian sovereign documents, including a passport.
Possession of such documents by non-citizens is therefore considered a breach of Nigeria’s identity management regulations.
Reform push
The directive forms part of broader reforms by the Interior Ministry aimed at strengthening identity management, border security, and document integrity.
Tunji-Ojo reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding official documents and ensuring that only eligible citizens have access to them.
“We will continue to strengthen systems that secure Nigeria’s borders, prevent identity fraud, preserve the sanctity of Nigerian citizenship, and facilitate legitimate travel,” he said.
