170 Foreign Nationals Seek Nigerian Citizenship — Interior Minister

At least 170 foreign nationals have applied to become citizens of Nigeria, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed on Monday.

The minister made this known through the ministry’s WhatsApp communication channel after presiding over a meeting of the Citizenship Advisory Committee in Abuja.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo said the Federal Government has officially begun reviewing the applications, which will be forwarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for consideration and approval.

He explained that the Citizenship Advisory Committee comprises representatives from several key government bodies — including the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) — tasked with vetting applicants.

The minister reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s dedication to transparency, fairness, and integrity in granting citizenship, noting that being a citizen of Nigeria — “the largest Black nation on earth” — is a privilege, not a right.

“Our promise stands. Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we will continue to do everything possible to make our beloved country a prosperous nation and a destination of interest for all,”
Tunji-Ojo stated.

He described the review process as a test of integrity for the committee and assured Nigerians that character and credibility would be the foremost considerations in all approvals.

“Citizenship of the biggest Black nation on earth is a valuable asset that requires careful consideration. We assure Nigerians that we will prioritise integrity and proven character above all else,”
he added.

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