What Are The Types Of Citizenship In Nigeria?

Nigeria as a country, has three types of citizenship that it recognizes. This is not to say that this is the only type of citizenship operated by other countries of the world.

There are various types of citizenship citizenship by birth, citizenship by naturalization, citizenship by marriage, citizenship by registration, and citizenship by investment. However, Nigeria only recognizes citizenship by birth, naturalization, and marriage.

If you want to be a recognized citizen of Nigeria, you are expected to go through any of the above-mentioned routes. This is very necessary as this is the only way you can enjoy the benefits accrued to being a citizen of Nigeria.

People have various reasons why they opt to be a citizen of a country; some of them include freedom to travel, the right to vote, security from deportation, the right to government jobs, and numerous other reasons.

Whatever your reasons are, you must fulfill the customs and laws stipulated by the country before you can be considered q citizen of the country. 

Being a citizen of any country has immense benefits as you will enjoy the benefits accrued to being a citizen and in turn, you are expected to fulfill your duties and obligations as a citizen.

Do you want to apply for citizenship in Nigeria and want to know the recognized types of citizenship in Nigeria? In this article, I will be going into detail on the various types of citizenship that is obtainable in Nigeria. 

Types Of Citizenship In Nigeria

There are many types of citizenship recognized by various countries of the world citizenship by investment, citizenship by birth, citizenship by marriage, citizenship by naturalization, and citizenship by registration.

However, the three recognized types of citizenship are citizenship by birth, citizenship by registration, and citizenship by naturalization. 

Do you want to apply for citizenship in Nigeria, and are you wondering about the citizenship that is obtainable in the country? Below are the recognized types of citizenship in Nigeria:

1. Citizenship by Birth

Citizenship by birth is one of the recognized types of citizenship in Nigeria and as the name implies, it is a type of citizenship for those born in Nigeria from parents of Nigerian origin. It is the most common form of citizenship.

Aside from those born in the country from parents of Nigerian origin, it also ropes in:

• Those who were in Nigeria before and after the Nigerian independence.

• Those whose parents, grandparents, and other close relatives relate to the traditional Nigerian communities.

2. Citizenship by Registration

Citizenship by registration is also one of the recognized means of citizenship in Nigeria. You can become a citizen of Nigeria through registration. 

This is mostly for immigrants who have proven over time to be of good behavior and have been considered valuable to the Nigerian government. 

There are some qualities you are expected to meet if you want to be considered a citizen of Nigeria. Here are some of the criteria you will have to meet:

• You are expected to be of good character. This can be attested by two people and it is compulsory for one of them to be a religious leader. 

• You must show the reasons why you wish to live and be a citizen of Nigeria. 

• You are mandated to swear an oath of allegiance to Nigeria as a nation and this can be found in the seventh schedule of the Nigerian constitution. 

3. Citizenship by Naturalization

This is one of the types of citizenship recognized by the Nigerian government. Citizenship by naturalization is recognized as one of the hardest ways of being a citizen of any country in the world. People only opt for it in cases where they can’t get the other above-mentioned types of citizenship. 

There are core requirements you are expected to fulfill to get your citizenship through naturalization. Some of the requirements you have to fulfill to be considered eligible for citizenship by naturalization in the constitution include:

• You have to be of full age according to the constitution.

• You are expected to be of good behavior.

• You have to show clear proof that you wish to live in the country and reasons why you want to live in the country.

• The governor of the state where you are applying will have to confirm that the community wishes to assimilate you into their fold.

• You are expected to make significant contributions to the well-being of Nigeria and its citizens.

• You must have lived for at least 15 years before the time you applied for citizenship in the country.

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Final Thoughts

There are three ways you can become w citizen of Nigeria which is through birth, naturalization, and registration. This is the only means of citizenship recognized by the Nigerian government. 

Do you wish to apply for citizenship in Nigeria and wish you know how the recognized types of citizenship work? I went into detail on everything you need to know about the types of citizenship in Nigeria.