In an update published by **BusinessDay**, the Federal Government has announced a new policy to immediately withdraw and deactivate the Nigerian passports of individuals who formally renounce their citizenship. The move is aimed at tightening the national identity database and ensuring that the privileges associated with Nigerian travel documents are reserved strictly for those who maintain their legal status as citizens.
The Ministry of Interior clarified that the deactivation will be synchronized with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure that such individuals cannot access biometric-dependent services within the country. This policy comes as the government seeks to streamline the “Japa” phenomenon’s administrative impact and better track the diaspora’s legal standing.
**The Punch** reported that the government is “tightening the screws on dual-citizenship technicalities,” while **Leadership** noted that “officials believe this will curb identity fraud among those holding multiple nationalities.”
Echotitbits take: This is a bold, perhaps controversial, administrative move. It effectively shuts the door on “identity hedging” by Nigerians moving abroad, forcing a clear choice between the green passport and foreign naturalization.
Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/870908-updated-nigeria-to-cancel-passports-of-citizens-who-renounce-nationality.html, April 12, 2026
Photo credit: Premium Times
