Na big news dey ground today as Federal Government don give order say make Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) immediately withdraw or deactivate passport of any person wey don renounce Nigerian citizenship.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, drop this directive on behalf of FG. Him talk say some people don renounce their citizenship but dem still dey carry Naija passport. This one no go work again.
“This directive apply to Nigerians wey their requests for renunciation don formally get approval from President,” the minister yarn.
For statement wey him Media Adviser, Alao Babatunde, sign, Tunji-Ojo maintain say Ministry of Interior get power from Section 29 of 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Him quote the constitution: “(1) Any citizen of Nigeria of full age wey wish to renounce him Nigerian citizenship must make declaration for renunciation. (2) President go cause the declaration to register and upon registration, the person wey make declaration go cease to be citizen of Nigeria.”
Minister add say once person cease to be citizen of Nigeria, him no fit carry any sovereign document of Nigeria again, including passport.
This move dey consistent with passport and visa reforms wey ministry don dey do for some years now.
“We go continue to strengthen systems wey go secure Nigeria borders, prevent identity fraud, preserve sanctity of Nigerian citizenship, and facilitate legitimate travel while we dey prevent unauthorised access,” Tunji-Ojo talk.
Na serious matter be this. Many Nigerians wey don travel abroad and renounce citizenship for other countries still dey use Naija passport travel. But now, NIS go begin deactivate their passports.
For Abuja, NIS headquarters don receive the order. Dem dey expected to begin compliance checks immediately. No timeline dey yet, but action suppose start sharp-sharp.
Some people dey ask question: wetin go happen to those wey don renounce but still get family and property for Nigeria? Minister no address that one directly, but him talk say citizenship na foundation of sovereign identity.
This directive na part of wider reforms to strengthen identity management. For recent times, NIS don increase passport fees for applications inside Nigeria. 32-page passport with 5-year validity now cost N100,000, while 64-page with 10-year validity na N200,000.
But for Nigerians wey dey diaspora, fees remain $150 for 32-page passport and $230 for 64-page. The new order for renounced citizens na separate matter entirely.
Legal experts wey we talk to say the directive correct according to constitution. Once person renounce citizenship, all rights and privileges finish. Passport na sovereign document, so former citizens no suppose carry am.
But some people dey worry about implementation. How NIS go know who don renounce? Minister talk say dem go use records from presidential approvals. Every renunciation wey President approve go enter system.
This one mean say if you renounce Nigerian citizenship through proper channel, your name go show for NIS database. Your passport go deactivate automatically or dem go ask you to return am.
For those wey dey wonder why government dey do this now, Tunji-Ojo talk say na to close gap wey allow former citizens to continue travel on Nigerian passports after their renunciation don officially recognise.
“We must preserve sanctity of Nigerian citizenship,” minister insist. “Passport no be ordinary document. Na identity of nation.”
Reactions dey mixed. Some Nigerians support the move, say if you don renounce citizenship, you don leave the country finish. Why you still go dey carry passport? Others dey worry about practical implications for diaspora community.
One thing clear: NIS go begin enforcement soon. Those affected go need to arrange alternative travel documents from their new countries of citizenship.
The order show say government dey serious about citizenship integrity. As border security and identity fraud concerns dey increase worldwide, Nigeria dey tighten her own systems.
Minister Tunji-Ojo promise say reforms go continue. “We go make sure only those wey deserve Nigerian documents get am,” him add.
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