The federal government has ordered the withdrawal of passports for Nigerians who have renounced their citizenship.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, issued the direction to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in a statement signed by his media adviser, Alao Babatunde.

Tunji-Ojo stated that the directive applies to people whose renunciation requests have been confirmed by the president and that they are no longer eligible to have Nigerian passports.

The minister cited provisions from the 1999 constitution to justify the decision.

“(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,” the statement reads.

“(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.”

Tunji-Ojo stated that former citizens cannot keep sovereign documents.

He described the decision as part of measures to promote citizenship integrity, stressing that it is in line with current passport and visa modifications.

“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,” he added.