Do you want to be a citizen of Nigeria or just want to know what the law says about becoming a Nigerian citizen? This article is for you. The Constitution of the Nigerian Republic of 1999 has been amended by our guide in this discourse . Article 25 of the Constitution defines who is a Nigerian citizen and defines the criteria if you are not one.
The Constitution recognizes 3 types of citizenship and sets out the requirements for each of them. 3 types of Nigerian citizenship are as follows:
] 3. Citizenship by naturalization
For the sake of clarity, each type is now more in-depth. Everyone born at birth is a Nigerian citizen if he was born in Nigeria before 19 October 1960, ie the date of Nigeria becoming independent.
Born of Native Citizens
(b) or his parents or grandparents belonged to an indigenous Nigerian community
(c) his parents or grandparents were born in Nigeria. Each person is a Nigerian national when he is born at birth: [a] was born in Nigeria after the Independence Day and […] (b) is either a parent or Grand-Magician of Nigeria
3. All Nigerian persons whose parents are a Nigerian At birth Nigerian citizen. From the above it can be seen that Nigeria, unlike the United States, Great Britain and other countries of the world, gives no birth rights to citizenship because it is born in Nigeria. So it's a Nigeria-born Nigerian suffering, but there are other choices too.
Only two groups of non-Nigerians can acquire this form of citizenship.
1) a foreign woman with a Nigerian citizen and
2) a younger than 18 years of age and born outside Nigeria. A large parent of her is a Nigerian citizen.
Any of these two people may apply for Nigerian nationality. The President of Nigeria may register such a person if he is satisfied that: (i) the person is in good standing and is in Nigeria and
(19459002) (iii) She had the requisite mental harassment for Nigeria.
A non-Nigerian registration application must stop the nationality of another country that is not born within 12 months as a Nigerian citizen.
Any non-Nigerian proof of origin may be granted if such person is able to Meet the President of Nigeria to:
1. Under 18 years of age and capacity Person
2. He is a good character
3. He has clearly indicated that he intends to occupy Nigeria
4. According to the Governor of the State of residence or domicile Acceptable to the local community in which he is alive, and similarly to the lifestyle of the Nigerians in that part of the country.
5. He is a person who has contributed or can contribute to the progress of Nigeria.
6. He has accepted the required Nigeria Declaration
7. Immediately prior to the date of application or
I. For a continuous period of 15 years in Nigeria or
ii. He remained in Nigeria for 12 months and lived in Nigeria for a period of at least 15 years during the 12-year period immediately preceding the 12-month period.
The Constitution requires the person who has received the localization certificate to resign from the nationality of any other country. It only applies to other nationalities that do not come from.
It is clear from the above that the acquisition of nationality by naturalization is only possible if a person resides in Nigeria for at least 15 years. So the number of years is the main criterion.
Source by Kehinde Nathaniel Adegbite