The Federal Authorities has ordered the quick withdrawal and deactivation of Nigerian passports held by residents who’ve formally renounced their nationality.
The directive marks a contemporary transfer by authorities to tighten management over nationwide id paperwork and reinforce the nation’s citizenship legal guidelines.
Politics Nigeria stories that the Minister of Inside, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, gave the order on Saturday.
He instructed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to behave on all instances the place renunciation of citizenship has been formally accomplished and permitted by the President. The announcement was conveyed by way of his media aide, Alao Babatunde.
In response to the minister, the choice solely impacts people whose functions to surrender Nigerian citizenship have gone by way of due course of and obtained presidential approval.
He careworn that after such approval is granted, the affected individuals are not recognised as Nigerian residents underneath the legislation.
Tunji-Ojo defined that the motion is rooted in constitutional provisions regulating citizenship. He referenced Part 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Structure (as amended), which clearly outlines the process and authorized penalties of renouncing nationality. The legislation gives that after a declaration is registered by the President, the person “shall stop to be a citizen of Nigeria.”
He added that holding a Nigerian passport is a privilege strictly reserved for residents. As such, anybody who has legally given up that standing routinely loses the fitting to own any sovereign doc issued by the nation.
The minister famous that the directive types a part of ongoing reforms inside Nigeria’s passport and visa techniques. He stated the federal government is targeted on strengthening border management, bettering id administration, and stopping misuse of official paperwork.
“We’ll proceed to strengthen techniques that safe Nigeria’s borders, forestall id fraud, protect the sanctity of Nigerian citizenship, and facilitate official journey whereas stopping unauthorized or ineligible entry,” the minister stated.