The Federal Government has taken a firm step to enforce citizenship regulations, directing the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately withdraw passports from individuals who have officially renounced their Nigerian nationality.

The directive was issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, through a statement by his media aide, Babatunde Alao, as part of efforts to strengthen compliance with existing laws governing citizenship.

According to the minister, the order applies specifically to persons whose requests to renounce Nigerian citizenship have been duly approved by President Bola Tinubu, making their status legally binding under the Constitution.

He explained that once the renunciation process is completed and registered, affected individuals cease to be Nigerian citizens and, by extension, are no longer entitled to hold national identification documents such as passports.

Citing Section 29(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Tunji-Ojo stressed that the law is clear on the consequences of renunciation, noting that the possession of a Nigerian passport is reserved strictly for citizens.

The minister added that the enforcement measure is part of a broader reform agenda targeting the integrity of the country’s passport system, including efforts to prevent misuse and ensure that travel documents are issued only to eligible persons.

Officials say the move is also linked to ongoing border control strategies aimed at improving national security and reducing identity-related fraud, particularly in international travel and migration processes.

The government maintains that the action is not punitive but necessary to uphold legal standards, as authorities continue to review and strengthen administrative processes within the immigration system.