The Federal Government has introduced a handbook to streamline the acquisition and administration of Nigerian citizenship.
The handbook delineates criteria for foreigners and citizens born abroad to acquire Nigerian citizenship. It includes provisions for “citizenship by investment,” requiring evidence of a minimum investment amount set at $1 million.
The handbook was unveiled in Abuja, where Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, presented the document.
Tunji-Ojo highlighted the potential of the handbook to revolutionize citizenship and business administration in Nigeria, emphasizing its role in fostering the country’s development.
The Minister stated, “A greater Nigeria is here. You and I are here for a Nigeria that will work for all of us; the strong and the weak, the rich and the poor. With the Renewed Hope Agenda, what Nigerians are yearning for has come to stay. There is no need for anybody to shake hands before you can do business here.”
He emphasized that adherence to the guidelines outlined in the handbook could contribute to Nigeria’s growth, leveraging its abundant human and material resources.
The Minister expressed confidence that the document, developed in collaboration with major stakeholders and the Ministry of Justice, would lead to positive changes in citizenship administration, business permits, naturalization, and the protection of marriage institutions in Nigeria.
Tunji-Ojo also anticipated that the handbook would enhance internal security by providing a structured framework for entrance and exit procedures.
”The handbook covers granting citizenship and residence permits; establishment and maintenance of Federal Marriage Registries in Nigeria; licensing and renewal of public places of worship for celebration of marriages; and issuance of secured federal marriage certificates in Federal Marriage Registries.
”The introduction of this handbook aligns with the government’s commitment to transparency and efficiency in citizenship processes, reflecting the broader vision of a developed and secure Nigeria,” he stated.
