Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, has thrown his weight behind the Federal Government’s decision to withdraw and deactivate Nigerian passports belonging to individuals who have formally renounced their citizenship.
Sani’s reaction follows a recent directive issued by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who ordered the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately begin the process of withdrawing and deactivating passports of affected persons.
The directive applies to Nigerians whose renunciation of citizenship has been officially approved in line with constitutional provisions. Once such approval is granted, the individuals are no longer recognized as Nigerian citizens under the law.
Reacting through a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Sani described the move as appropriate and necessary. According to him, citizenship is a serious legal status, and any decision to give it up must come with full consequences.
“The withdrawal of the passports of those who renounced their Nigerian citizenship is the right thing to do,” Sani said. “When people decide to change nationality, their choice should be respected, and it should be enforced completely.”
He added that countries around the world take similar positions when it comes to citizenship and national identity. To further support his point, Sani referenced the strict stance often associated with former United States President, Donald Trump, noting that nations expect loyalty from their citizens.
The Federal Government’s action is seen as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s immigration system and protect the integrity of its citizenship process. Officials say the move is not intended to punish individuals but to ensure that national laws are properly enforced.
Speaking on the directive, Tunji-Ojo explained that once a person ceases to be a citizen of Nigeria, it is only right that they no longer have access to Nigerian sovereign documents, including passports. He stressed that the Nigerian passport is a symbol of citizenship and should only be held by those who are legally recognised as Nigerians.
“The aim is to ensure that persons who are no longer citizens do not retain access to official documents that identify them as Nigerians,” the minister said.
The minister also noted that the policy is part of ongoing reforms within the immigration and identity management system. These reforms, he said, are designed to address loopholes that may allow misuse of travel documents and to improve national security.
In Nigeria, the issue of citizenship has become increasingly important in recent years, especially with rising concerns about border control and national security. The government has been working to modernise the operations of the Nigeria Immigration Service, including the introduction of digital systems and stricter verification processes.
Under the Nigerian Constitution, citizens have the right to renounce their nationality if they so choose. However, the process must be formally completed and approved by the appropriate authorities. Once approved, the individual is expected to give up all rights and privileges associated with Nigerian citizenship.
The latest directive makes it clear that one of those privileges is the possession of a Nigerian passport. By withdrawing such documents, the government aims to ensure that only eligible individuals can identify themselves as Nigerians when travelling or conducting official business.
For many Nigerians, citizenship remains a sensitive and emotional issue. While some choose to renounce their nationality for personal or economic reasons, others see it as a loss of identity and connection to their homeland.
Sani acknowledged that people have the right to choose their preferred nationality but insisted that such decisions must be respected on both sides. “If someone decides to leave, the country should also move on and enforce its laws accordingly,” he said.
The Federal Government has assured citizens that the policy will be implemented fairly and in accordance with the law. Authorities have also highlighted that only those who have completed the legal process of renouncing their citizenship will be affected.
As Nigeria continues to reform its immigration system, officials say more measures may be introduced to strengthen identity management and protect national interests. For now, the withdrawal of passports from former citizens marks a significant step in defining the rights and responsibilities that come with being Nigerian.