Nigeria officially welcomed 1,006 new citizens between 2017 and 2023 through carefully regulated naturalization and registration processes, Sunday PUNCH investigations reveal. The Federal Government conducted three major citizenship investiture ceremonies during this period, granting foreigners the full rights of Nigerian citizenship.
The first ceremony in May 2017 saw former President Muhammadu Buhari present certificates to 335 individuals, including Ethiopian-born model Lara Fortes who had married then-Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole. The group comprised 245 naturalized citizens (after 15+ years residence) and 90 registered through spousal/parental ties.
After a COVID-induced pause, the government resumed ceremonies in September 2022 (286 recipients) and May 2023 (385 recipients). Notably, the 2022 batch included 86 Lebanese nationals, while the 2023 event marked Nigeria's largest single citizenship conferment under any administration.
Former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola emphasized all recipients underwent rigorous vetting:
Minimum 15 years lawful residence (10 continuous before application)
Clean security and tax records
Good character verification
Federal Executive Council approval
The process involves multiple verification stages by the DSS, tax authorities, and the Interior Ministry's Citizenship Division. Successful applicants take the Oath of Allegiance at presidential ceremonies before receiving certificates and passport eligibility.
While no ceremonies have occurred under President Tinubu's administration, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo confirms ongoing background checks for new applicants.
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