How to Acquire Citizenship in Nigeria

Quick answer: How to Acquire Citizenship in Nigeria is a public legal-education guide. The correct legal step may depend on the facts, documents, location, timing, and current law, so readers should seek tailored legal advice before acting.

This article is provided for general legal education only and is not a substitute for advice on a specific matter.

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HOW TO ACQUIRE CITIZENSHIP IN NIGERIA

Citizens and Nigerian Nationality is regulated by the Nigerian constitution and the Nigerian Nationality Laws. Citizenship simply refers to a domestic relationship accrued to a person within a nation. Nigerian Nationality can be acquired by the following means:

Birth

Registration

Naturalisation

BIRTH

Persons eligible for nationality by birth include;

• Individuals born anywhere whose parents are Nigerian nationals or
• Individuals born in Nigeria who have at least one grandparent who was Nigerian, or belonged to an indigenous community of Nigeria before independence. This has been provided for under section 25 of the constitution.

REGISTRATION

Provided for under section 26 of the constitution. It is available to women married to citizens of Nigeria. This provision doesn't protect men married to a woman who is a citizen of Nigeria, which is rather discriminatory and should be reviewed.

Persons of full age and capacity born outside Nigerian any of whose grandparent (s) is a citizen of Nigeria.

A person who falls under the provisions of section 28(2) of the constitution may be registered as a citizen of Nigeria, if the President is satisfied that:

• He is of good character
• He has shown clear intentions of his desire to be domiciled in Nigeria
• He has taken the oath of allegiance prescribed in the seventh schedule to the constitution.

BY NATURALISATION

This is adequately provided for under section 27(2) of the constitution.

NB: This article is not a legal advice, and under no circumstance should you take it as such. All information provided are for general purpose only. For information, please contact chamanlawfirm@gmail.com

WRITTEN BY CHAMAN LAW FIRM TEAM

EMAIL: chamanlawfirm@gmail.com

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Speak with Chaman Law Firm before taking a step that may affect your rights, property, business, family, or dispute position. You can book a consultation or review the relevant practice area for more context.