Federal Government Reviews 170 Applications for Nigerian Citizenship

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of the Interior, is currently reviewing citizenship applications submitted by 170 foreign nationals from across the globe. This significant batch of applications for naturalization and registration is undergoing a rigorous screening process before being presented for final presidential approval.

Dependable NG reports that the Minister of the Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, confirmed this development on Monday morning via a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, @Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The Minister stressed the high value and importance the government places on granting citizenship to the nation often referred to as the biggest black nation on earth. He stated that acquiring Nigerian citizenship is a “valuable asset that requires careful consideration.”

Dr. Tunji-Ojo assured the public that the government’s review process would prioritize “integrity and proven character above all else” in making its recommendations. The applications are currently being reviewed by the Citizenship Advisory Committee, which plays a vital role in the initial vetting and recommendation process before the requests are forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for his ultimate approval. The Committee is a high-level body comprising top officials from several key government agencies, demonstrating the multi-faceted scrutiny involved. The agencies represented on the committee include the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of State Security (DSS), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

The review of these 170 files signals the government’s active engagement in administering its immigration and citizenship policies, aiming to ensure transparency and thoroughness in how foreign nationals are integrated into the Nigerian community.