Sani Applauds FG’s Move to Reclaim Passports from Ex-Citizens

​ABUJA – Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has thrown his weight behind the Federal Government’s latest directive to withdraw and deactivate Nigerian passports belonging to individuals who have formally renounced their citizenship.

​The directive, issued by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, mandates the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to immediately revoke sovereign travel documents from persons whose renunciation has been officially approved by the President.

​Reacting to the policy on Saturday via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Sani described the move as a logical enforcement of a personal choice. He argued that once an individual elects to sever ties with their home country in favor of another nationality, they should no longer expect to hold the benefits of Nigerian sovereign identification.

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​”The withdrawal of the passports of those who renounced their Nigerian citizenship is the right thing to do,” Sani stated. “When people decide to change nationality, their choice should be respected, and it should be enforced completely.”

​The former lawmaker further alluded to the tightening global migration landscape, referencing “Trump’s doctrine” to emphasize that national identity is a privilege that comes with loyalty to the state.

​Strengthening National Integrity

​The Minister of Interior, Tunji-Ojo, clarified that the measure is a critical component of the ongoing reforms within the nation’s immigration and identity management systems. According to the Minister, the policy is designed to:

• ​Prevent Document Misuse: Ensuring that only active citizens hold valid Nigerian passports.
• ​Enhance Border Security: Eliminating the risk of identity fraud by deactivating documents of non-citizens.
• ​Preserve Sovereignty: Protecting the integrity of Nigerian citizenship in line with the 1999 Constitution.

​Under Nigerian law, renunciation is a formal process where a citizen of full age declares their intent to give up citizenship. Once registered by the President, that individual legally ceases to be a Nigerian.

​The Ministry maintains that the new enforcement ensures that the “sanctity of the Nigerian passport” is maintained, preventing unauthorized access to the nation’s sovereign rights by those who have voluntarily walked away from them.