The federal government has approved the granting of Nigerian citizenship to 286 foreign individuals who met the requirements. This was made known by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola who disclosed that 286 foreign nationals out of the 600 who applied were approved.
The go-ahead followed Aregbesola’s presentation to the council the approval made by the Advisory Committee on Nigeria citizenship, comprising the first set.
He said another set is expected to be presented by the end of the first quarter or latest by the middle of the year.
He explained: “But what is it about? We received 600 applications from several people, foreign nationals, who are in Nigeria, who have been residing in Nigeria, they are desirous to be Nigerians.
“These applicants are from virtually every part of the world. Americans, North and South Australian, Europeans Arabs, Asians, all over.”
He said the advisory committee approved 286 for FEC’s consideration out of the 600 applications received.
Aregbesola further explained that the “grant of Nigerian citizenship is in two in two categories. There are those that will consider naturalization. And there are those who consider for registration. Who are the ones for registration? They are women married to Nigerians, they are called Naija wives, who, besides having the right of residency and movement, without any restriction or without the requirement of visa to and fro to the country are desirous of Nigerians.
“So, they become Nigerians, they get granted citizenship by registration. Whereas foreign nationals who are desirous of Nigerians, they’re not actually being wives of Nigerians, we give them citizenship by naturalization.
“So, the number of those who are granted Nigerian citizenship and naturalization, through the collection of applications is 280. While those who are issued registration is 78.
“So, today, the Council, as you can see, approved the grant of citizenship to 286 applicants for naturalization and 78 applicants for registration. Making a total of having 286 people out of 600 who apply for citizenship as eligible to be fully processed through administration of oath and certification thereafter with renunciation of citizenship that is not acquired by birth.”
It would be the second time under the life of the present administration that foreign nationals are granted citizenship through naturalization.
Recall that a total of 335 persons were similarly granted citizenship in December 2017.