Getting or acquiring citizenship in Nigeria might not be difficult as you think, whether you are a foreigner, migrant, etc. But in this article, we are going to talk about the easiest ways of acquiring citizenship in Nigeria today.
Citizenship can be defined as the position or status of a citizen of a country. It is also known to be not just a status but a legal one that is ist backed up by the law or institution of that country which enables the citizen to be entitled to his or her rights and duties. one can easily denote the nationality of a person from his country of citizenship.
We have different kinds or types of citizenship in Nigeria. These include citizenship by;
If you are a student or a foreigner seeking to know the three major ways of acquiring citizenship this article is for you. We will be talking about the different methods of acquiring citizenship.
3 Ways of Acquiring Citizenship in Nigeria
As stated in the Nigerian constitution 1999 as amended, the three ways of acquiring citizenship in Nigeria include
- By Birth
- By Registration
- By Naturalization
Citizenship by birth
Persons classified to be citizens by birth in Nigeria include
- People born within the geographical territory of Nigeria beginning from the 1st of October 1960
- Has a minimum of 1 parent or grandparent who is a bonified citizen of Nigeria.
The major criterion of people in this field is being indigenous. Being indigenous means the person has blood ties with a Nigerian.
The indigenous communities that are classified to be Nigerian include
- Yoruba
- Igbo,
- Hausa and Fulani
- Afik
- Ibibio
- Itshekiri
- Urhobo
- Knauri etc
Also, persons born outside Nigeria and have parents that are Nigerian can also apply for citizenship by birth, it is known to be citizens by birth through descent.
It is important to note that citizenship by birth cannot be claimed by persons who do not have indigenous ties with Nigeria. By indigenous links I mean persons who do not have parents or grandparents in Nigeria.
Citizenship By Registration
Acquiring citizenship by registration is contained in the Nigerian constitution section 26. it states the following
Citizenship by registration cover persons that are
- Females or women that are married by a Nigerian citizen. The constitution does not cover the male gender that is married by a Nigerian female citizen.
Requirements
- A receipt showing your fully paid application fee.
- 24 pcs of your passport photographs.
- An application form that is accurately filled in along with your information form.
- A proof of your means of survival or livelihood.
- Your marriage certificate.
- A Foreigner has his residence permit and a birth certificate for persons born in Nigeria.
- Your international passport should be photocopied or scanned(first five (5) pages including the page that contains your data).
- Consent letter either from your husband or your children or extended family for persons whose partner is dead.
- For individuals who have had previous marriages should present documents of previous or former marriages.
- Proof of the citizenship of the husband or relatives for persons whose husband is dismissed from either state or the local government certificate of origin or a certificate of naturalization)
- A recommendation letter or Referees letter from guarantors. Also their passport photographs, curriculum Vitea, and identification cards (either national identification card, international passport, or driver’s license that is not expired).
- Persons that have grown and have the capacity that is born outside the country (Nigeria) but has grandparents who are full citizens of Nigeria.
It is pertinent to note that part B of this section stresses the word, Grandparent. The difference between this and the former earlier discussed is that the parents were involved. at least one parent must a Nigerian citizen.
Requirements
- One copy of a passport photograph
- your birth certificate
- certificate of marriage to be presented where needed.
- A copy of your resident permit
- Photocopies of the first 5 pages of your international passport including the data page.
- Proof of the citizenship of the relations between either parents or grandparents or great-grandparents.
- A recommendation letter or Referees letter from guarantors. Also their passport photographs, curriculum Vitea, and identification cards (either national identification card, international passport, or driver’s license that is not expired).
Also, citizenship by registration may be granted to an individual by the president if the person has met the requirement stated below;
- He has a good character. This has to be affirmed or testified by two individuals and one of the persons needed to do the affirmation is a religious leader from whichever religion you belong to.
- They must have strong intentions of staying or basing (domiciled) in the country.
- He is ready to take or has taken the oath of Allegiance as stated in the 7th Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution
Citizenship by Naturalization
According to section 27(2) of the Nigerian constitution, persons who meet the criteria should apply to the president of the country for a grant of citizenship certificate of naturalization.
The persons must prove beyond a reasonable doubt;
- He has a good character
- He/she is of age and has the needed capacity.
- He/she must have strong intentions of staying or basing (domiciled) in the country.
- He accepts and agrees to the decisions of the governor of the state he intends to be a resident, and agrees to walk in line with the rules and regulations of the local community in which he intends to base permanently and also fits in the culture and traditions of the part of the country he resides.
- He will contribute positively to the development and growth of Nigeria.
- One who has met the following requirement even before his application date
- Has stayed in Nigeria for 15 consecutive years.
Requirement
- A receipt showing your fully paid application fee.
- A legal copy of your application signed correctly
- An application form that is accurately filled in along with your information form.
- Copies of your passport photograph.
- A proof of your means of survival or livelihood. ( an appointment or employment letter, or legal copies of your company’s documents, etc).
- Tax verification clearance certificate.
- A Foreigner should present his residence permit and a birth certificate for persons born in Nigeria.
- Your international passport should be photocopied or scanned(first five (5) pages including the page that contains your data).
- Consent letter either from your husband or your children or extended family for persons whose partner is dead.
- A copy of your socio-Economic proposals and contributions.
It is important to note that persons who want to acquire Nigerian citizenship by naturalization or by registration have to, first of all, denounce all existing citizenship except citizenship acquired by birth.
For more inquiries on what the constitution entails, you can visit the constitution website at http://www.nigeria-law.org/ConstitutionOfTheFederalRepublicOfNigeria.htm.
Conclusion
Acquiring citizenship in Nigeria has procedures. once you follow the procedures and have met the requirement you have your certificate issued to you. Whether you’re awarded Honorable citizenship you must have net certain requirements.
Also, there is an SIS status for men who are married to Nigerian female citizens. It is important to note that the information provided in any form filled should be correct as any incorrect information might delay your citizenship certificate process.
The requirement stated above has to be presented in the format required. nobody shall be held responsible for any, missing documents. Also, you are not to pay any application fee to any staff. you will pay it to the stipulated bank account and present the receipt.
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