Citizenship routes

Ancestryreviewed
Naturalizationreviewed
Birthreviewed
Investmentreviewed
Birthactive

Citizenship at birth through a Nigerian parent or grandparent rules

A person born outside Nigeria either of whose parents is a citizen of Nigeria is a citizen by birth. Birth in Nigeria after independence with a citizen parent or grandparent also creates citizenship by birth under section 25. Birth in Nigeria alone to two foreign parents without qualifying lineage is not general jus soli.

Sources: Nigeria Constitution 1999 — Chapter III Citizenship (published text) · Constitute Project — Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)

Ancestryactive

Citizenship by birth through a Nigerian parent

Under section 25 of the 1999 Constitution, a person is a citizen of Nigeria by birth if born outside Nigeria to a Nigerian citizen parent, or if born in Nigeria after independence to a parent or grandparent who is a citizen, subject to the indigenous-community and historical rules for pre-independence births.

Sources: Nigeria Constitution 1999 — Chapter III Citizenship (published text) · Constitute Project — Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)

Naturalizationactive

Naturalization after fifteen years continuous residence

Section 27 of the 1999 Constitution allows the President to grant a certificate of naturalization to a person who satisfies the constitutional qualifications, including continuous residence in Nigeria for a period of fifteen years, majority, good character, intention to reside, community acceptability, and capacity to make a useful contribution. Section 28 requires renunciation of other nationalities except citizenship of a country acquired by birth. The Ministry of Interior administers applications; grant is discretionary.

Sources: Nigeria Constitution 1999 — Chapter III Citizenship (published text) · Nigeria Ministry of Interior — Citizenship requirements PDF · Constitute Project — Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)

Regional rights

ECOWAS (West Africa)