A United Kingdom-based Nigerian lawyer, Baron Chymaker, says he has formally initiated the process of renouncing his Nigerian citizenship, a move that has stirred debate within legal and diaspora circles.

Chymaker disclosed that his legal representative in Nigeria has submitted the necessary documentation to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, along with all prescribed fees. The application is a key step in the constitutional procedure required for a Nigerian to voluntarily give up citizenship.

In a post on the social media platform X, the lawyer said he had received confirmation that the paperwork was now before the SGF for consideration and approval. He expressed eagerness for the process to be concluded, signalling a definitive break with his country of birth once the renunciation is formally accepted by the authorities.

Known on X for his forthright commentary on international law, comparative legal systems and cryptocurrency regulation, Chymaker has built a following by frequently contrasting legal practice in Nigeria with that of the UK and other developed jurisdictions.

He has been particularly critical of aspects of Nigeria’s judicial architecture, focusing on the doctrine of judicial precedent, or stare decisis. In his posts, he has argued that the rigid application of precedent in Nigerian courts can entrench what he views as flawed decisions, especially in politically sensitive matters such as election petition and tribunal cases.

Chymaker has also used his platform to urge Nigerian-trained lawyers to seek advanced qualifications abroad or consider relocating to jurisdictions with more predictable legal frameworks and stronger institutional safeguards. He maintains that such moves can broaden professional horizons and expose practitioners to higher standards of practice and judicial accountability.

The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has yet to publicly comment on Chymaker’s application or confirm its status. Under Nigerian law, renunciation of citizenship is not automatic; it requires formal approval by the government, which retains discretion to accept or reject an application, particularly where national security or public interest is cited.

Chymaker’s decision has intensified ongoing conversations about governance, rule of law and the frustrations of some members of the Nigerian diaspora who feel increasingly disconnected from the country’s political and judicial trajectory.