After the electoral malpractice shege seen at the presidential poll on February 25, 2023, many Nigerians might have started considering removing themselves from the country.

If you belong to this group, you’re in luck because we will explain how to do so. 

One major way to lose citizenship is by renunciation, which means you’ve had enough of Nigeria’s troubles and have voluntarily relinquished your nationality. 

However, to do this, there are some criteria you must meet.

What are the eligibility requirements?

You must be 18 years and above

The government has to be sure you’re “old” enough to understand the gravity of the decision you’re about to make.

You mustn’t have any criminal or financial liability to Nigeria

This is to make sure you’re not responsible for any crime or illegal behaviour .

You must be of sound mind

Nigeria doesn’t exactly leave plenty of room for soundness of mind, but still, you should be able to prove that you’re stable and healthy.

You have to belong to another country or at least be likely to be granted citizenship in another country

There’s no “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody” trope here; you must identify with a new country.

So, once these requirements are met, you can finally begin the process. 

Steps for renouncing your citizenship

1. Visit the proper authorities, i.e. the Nigerian embassy, Nigerian immigration service or Ministry of Interior in your country of residence.
2. Fill out the application form with complete information signed and certified before a Notary Public, Magistrate, Justice of Peace or Commissioner of Oath.
3. Submit the application form alongside the following documents: 

• National Identity card 
• Passport photograph 
• Original birth certificate 
• Nigerian passport and other travelling documents 
• Evidence of alternate citizenship, i.e. a copy of the foreign passport, foreign citizenship certificate or document of information that the applicant will become a citizen of a different country
• Receipt of payment as determined 

However, you should know that according to Section 29 subsection 1-2 of the 1999 constitution, the president has the sole power to refuse your request if:

• We’re in the middle of a war (we’ll all be in it together)

• Your leaving will be contrary to public policy

There’s something else you should know…

Good luck in your journey to renounce Nigeria, but we have some bad news. The above mentioned process applies primarily to people who weren’t Nigerians by birth.

If you were born a Nigerian, the country allows you dual citizenship.  This means the only way you’d be able to renounce Nigeria is if you’re applying to be a citizen of countries like Qatar, China or Mauritania, which don’t allow dual citizenship.  

And while having dual citizenship might not be exactly what you want, there are some opportunities it brings that might interest you.