FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status - Politics

FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status - Politics - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum › Nairaland General › Politics › FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status (8754 Views)

1 2 3 Reply (Go Down)

FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by Tomson1(op): 9:18am On Apr 11

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately withdraw and deactivate passports held by persons who have formally renounced their Nigerian citizenship.

The directive, contained in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media, Alao Babatunde, covers Nigerians whose renunciation requests have been formally approved by the President.

Tunji-Ojo said the ministry, saddled with the responsibility of citizenship integrity, derives its authority for the directive from Section 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The statement quoted the constitutional provision as stating: “(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.”

According to the statement, the minister said once a person ceases to be a citizen, they can no longer hold any sovereign document of Nigeria, including a passport.

He also described the move as consistent with ongoing passport and visa reforms undertaken by the ministry in recent years.

He said the latest directive was aimed at closing a gap that allowed former citizens to continue travelling on Nigerian passports after their renunciation had been officially recognised.

“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 unauthorised or ineligible access,” Tunji-Ojo said.

https://punchng.com/fg-to-withdraw-passports-from-citizens-who-renounce-status/

8 Likes 2 Shares

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by notobiafrababe(f): 9:21am On Apr 11*

Honestly, this move by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is long overdue.
There’s something deeply inconsistent about people who aggressively pursued a Nigerian passport, used it as their exit ticket, and then suddenly become the loudest voices tearing the country down the moment they settle elsewhere. Criticism is one thing every nation deserves to be questioned but there’s a clear difference between constructive critique and calculated demarketing driven by convenience.
You can’t renounce a system, reject its identity, and still want to retain the privileges tied to it. That’s not principle that’s opportunism dressed up as activism.
What this directive does is restore a basic standard: citizenship is not a switch you toggle depending on what benefits you at the moment. If you’ve made a formal, legal decision to walk away, then it should be complete rights, identity, and documents included.
And let’s be real many of these loud online performances aren’t about reform or progress. They’re often about validation in new environments, where distancing oneself from Nigeria becomes a social currency. It’s easier to exaggerate flaws than to engage with complexity.
Nigeria has its issues no serious person denies that. But there’s a difference between wanting improvement and constantly projecting the country as irredeemable just to score points abroad.
This policy simply draws a line:
If you no longer identify as Nigerian legally, then you shouldn’t operate under its identity operationally.
It’s not harsh. It’s just consistent.

41 Likes 3 Shares

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by davizfx: 9:23am On Apr 11

Abi oh, what else are they using it for?

13 Likes 2 Shares

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by kemzy107(f): 9:23am On Apr 11

This is needed because what are they still doing with our identity card? If you want to be outside, be outside in full and not to be sitting on the fence

15 Likes 3 Shares

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by Kaa4(m): 9:27am On Apr 11

Has the Passport climbed up on the Haley Index now? Even Tinubu holds a Guinean Passport!

You actually don't need to renounce Nigerian citizenship.

Ile ni abo simi oko

6 Likes 2 Shares

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by Zeesugar(f): 9:28am On Apr 11*

It is good that we are now awakening to doing things right in Nigeria.
While renouncing your citizenship you had thought it twice that is the legal implications.

Nigerian government needs to up their game on proper "Record system"

13 Likes 2 Shares

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by Solape1: 9:31am On Apr 11*

As it should be, you don't want to be a Nigerian then you have to drop the passport officially.

8 Likes 1 Share

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by Oluwalosolami: 9:33am On Apr 11

Anyone who is not oroud of Nigeria does not deserve any benefit of Nigeria.

13 Likes 2 Shares

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by harjay1986: 9:36am On Apr 11

Kaa4:
Has the Passport climbed up on the Haley Index now? Even Tinubu holds a Guinean Passport!

You actually don't need to renounce Nigerian citizenship.

Ile ni abo simi oko

Some country need you to renounce fmyour formal country before they can give you there own.. Like Netherland

9 Likes 2 Shares

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by NATIONALPASTOR: 9:42am On Apr 11

When you deactivate their passports, you can't take their ancestorial lands from them, and you've automatically handed their freedom of a new country to them...

This Yoruba man will eventually make Biafra a reality and thereby destroying the Nigeria they indeed to keep.

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by abel619: 9:42am On Apr 11

That sounds like a logical administrative step of someone formally renounces their citizenship, it makes sense for the government to retrieve a document that represents that status. A passport isn’t just an ID card; it’s proof of nationality and access to state protection abroad.

That said, the key issue will be how transparently and fairly it’s implemented. There should be clear guidelines, proper timelines, and safeguards to ensure no one is wrongly affected or left stranded in the process.

Policy like this isn’t just about control it’s about balancing national security with citizens’ rights.

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by obamiyi(m): 9:46am On Apr 11

Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is absolutely right. You cannot renounce your citizenship and still expect to enjoy the privileges tied to it, including holding a Nigerian passport. A passport is not a souvenir—it’s a legal identity document. This policy simply enforces accountability and global best practices.

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by DEROX: 9:48am On Apr 11

I officially renounce this 🗑 today pls reverse my citizenship and nairaland sad mods pls ban me forever

47 Likes

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by Laryy360: 9:54am On Apr 11*

Deactivating your passport means it's no more useful for you anymore and you are erasing your Roots

8 Likes 2 Shares

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by ChiefAgbabiaka: 10:01am On Apr 11

This is a good development....I am in total support of this. Once you renounce your citizenship you should drop your passport asap

2 Likes 3 Shares

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by Ogbonna24: 10:03am On Apr 11

This is a good one

1 Like

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by muhyeenisce(m): 10:04am On Apr 11

A step toward tightening passport and citizenship controls, but it should be implemented transparently to avoid errors and ensure fairness. Kudos to the minister

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by Exousiang01(m): 10:05am On Apr 11

Kaa4:
Has the Passport climbed up on the Haley Index now? Even Tinubu holds a Guinean Passport!

You actually don't need to renounce Nigerian citizenship.

Ile ni abo simi oko

You mean the one that expired even before he became president?
No one is stopping you from imagining things, and we won't stop you from believing your imaginations....

4 Likes

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by oluwatamilore25: 10:05am On Apr 11

Once you renounce your citizenship, drop the passport as well. There is no point holding on to it

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by dreamxhaser: 10:08am On Apr 11

But why should anyone renounce their Nigeria citizenship? No matter how bad it is back home, home will always be home.

You now become a second class citizen in the new country….that’s crazy man.

I know alot of you will come and say things like Nigeria is bad, insecurity, and all. But let’s be honest most people who travel out don’t experience most of the Nigerian issues because they are fairly comfortable before they left.

I saw other Africans asking Nigerians why they do that and the Nigerians started insulting them.

Also, imagine a scenario where things get better….in as much as we don’t believe it, that is possible.

I am a japa advocate, but renouncing your roots is a No, instead go to countries you can have multiple passports.

Alot of you will say things like ethnicity is different from nationality. But the big question is, where is your roots, the land located? Of course in the region of Nigeria

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by Exousiang01(m): 10:10am On Apr 11*

NATIONALPASTOR:
When you deactivate their passports, you can't take their ancestorial lands from them, and you've automatically handed their freedom of a new country to them...

This Yoruba man will eventually make Biafra a reality and thereby destroying the Nigeria they indeed to keep.

LoL.
Go school you no gree.
Typical man from across the Niger.
Who ever told you that one who is a citizen of one country cannot be a citizen of another?
I am Nigerian, but I still hold a British passport.
One of my sons hold citizenship to 3 countries. I am Nigerian by birth, his mother is British by birth and he was born in America.
He holds citizenship of 3 different countries.

Being a citizen of Nigeria doesn't take away your freedom of being a citizen of another country.

School no be scam oh
The world is bigger than your village
His mom is

9 Likes 2 Shares

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by SanniAbraham15: 10:11am On Apr 11

Noncitizens should know that Nigeria is not a joke. The directive from the Minister is the best.

1 Like

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by Oracben: 10:15am On Apr 11

Definetly a good move, once you renounce your citizenship you automatically stop being a citizen of that country.

1 Like

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by Gotocourt: 10:15am On Apr 11

I'm willing to exchange my passport with Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, Cameroon, Botswana, south Africa, Egypt, Tunisia , Libya, Algeria angry

1 Like

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by dreamxhaser: 10:16am On Apr 11

Exousiang01:
LoL.
Go school you no gree.
Typical man from across the Niger.
Who ever told you that one who is a citizen of one country cannot be a citizen of another?
I am Nigerian, but I still hold a British passport.
One of my sons hold citizenship to 3 countries. I am Nigerian by birth, his mother is British by birth and he was born in America.
He is holds citizenship of 3 different countries.

Being a citizen of Nigeria doesn't taken away your freedom of being a citizen of another country.

School no be scam oh
The world is bigger than your village
His mom is

There are countries where you have to renounce your Nigerian citizenship before you qualify. Your case is different but that doesn’t mean people don’t renounce their citizenship

3 Likes

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by Temmy1997(f): 10:18am On Apr 11

The minister is right you can't say you're not a citizen of Nigeria and still be holding Nigeria passport it is not possible.

3 Likes

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by Adelekan40(m): 10:23am On Apr 11

This is a welcome initiative. It will help the federal government in economic planning.

4 Likes

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by Joyce95: 10:24am On Apr 11

The Minister always know the best thing to do, this is interesting move.

4 Likes

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by Yheri: 10:40am On Apr 11

The directive reinforces the importance of citizenship as a legal status, not just a document. It helps close gaps that could be exploited over time.

2 Likes

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by ILoveNG: 10:46am On Apr 11

NATIONALPASTOR:
When you deactivate their passports, you can't take their ancestorial lands from them, and you've automatically handed their freedom of a new country to them...

This Yoruba man will eventually make Biafra a reality and thereby destroying the Nigeria they indeed to keep.

What is this one saying?
Can you have ancestral land in a country where you are not a citizen ? And If you have a valid certificate of occupancy to occupy your ancestral land, then you will know that it belongs to the government

1 Like

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by flexybricky(m): 11:22am On Apr 11

Good! It’s time we preserve the sanity of Nigerian citizenship and prevent identity fraud

2 Likes

Re: FG To Withdraw Passports From Citizens Who Renounce Status by ChizzyBuna(m): 12:35pm On Apr 11

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately withdraw and deactivate passports held by persons who have formally renounced their Nigerian citizenship

2 Likes

1 2 3 Reply

FG Orders Withdrawal Of Passports From Nigerians Who Renounced Citizenship • Citizens Who Paid Bribe By Zone In Nigeria, 2023 - StatiSense • Farooq Kperogi: Four Presidential Aspirants Who Will Make Me Renounce Nigeria • 2 • 3 • 4

Refinery Maintenance Fraud: EFCC Recovers ₦38.66 Billion, Other Properties • Why Did Pastor Bosun warn nigerians against APC? • Kwankwaso And The ‘Two Kano’s’