NationalityLaws
Nigeria flag

Nigeria.ng

Dual Citizenship: Yes Africa

Do I need a visa?

Full visa checker →

Country Snapshot

Passport Power
#91
48 visa-free
Henley Passport Index 2026
Happiness
#110
of 143 countries
World Happiness Report 2024
Global Peace
#144
of 163 countries
Global Peace Index 2024
Human Development
#163
of 193 countries
UNDP HDI 2024
Economic Freedom
54.4
of 100
Heritage Foundation 2024
Corruption Index
25
of 100 (higher = cleaner)
Transparency International 2024
Business Friendliness
5/10
Nationality Index Assessment

Nigeria

Last Updated: 2026-04-02

Official Portal: Nigeria Immigration Service

Embassy Finder: Nigerian Missions Abroad

Quick Facts

CategoryDetails
Residency for naturalization15 years of continuous residence (or qualifications under Section 27)
Language requirementNo formal test; English is the official language
Civics testNone codified; knowledge of Nigerian culture and way of life expected
Processing time12—36 months (can be significantly longer)
Naturalization feeVariable; significant administrative and legal costs
Dual citizenshipPermitted for citizens by birth; restrictions for naturalized citizens
Citizenship by birthYes, if either parent or grandparent is/was a citizen of Nigeria
Citizenship by descentYes, through either parent
Governing law1999 Constitution (Chapter III, Sections 25-32); Nigerian Citizenship Act

Dual Citizenship

Nigeria permits dual citizenship for citizens by birth, while placing restrictions on naturalized citizens.

Constitutional framework (1999 Constitution):

  • Citizens by birth (Section 28(1)): A Nigerian citizen by birth who acquires the citizenship of another country retains Nigerian citizenship. There is no automatic loss and no requirement to inform the Nigerian government.
  • Naturalized citizens (Section 28(1)): A person who acquired Nigerian citizenship by registration or naturalization loses Nigerian citizenship if they acquire another nationality.
  • Renunciation: Any Nigerian citizen may voluntarily renounce citizenship by declaration (Section 29). Renunciation takes effect upon registration.

Practical notes:

  • Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest diasporas (estimated 15-17 million abroad), with major concentrations in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, and across West Africa.
  • Dual citizens face no restrictions on property ownership in Nigeria.
  • Public office: The Constitution does not explicitly bar dual citizens from holding public office, but political opponents have challenged candidates’ eligibility on dual citizenship grounds in several high-profile cases. The legal position remains unsettled and varies by court interpretation.

ECOWAS context: As a founding member and the largest economy in ECOWAS, Nigerian citizens benefit from the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, allowing visa-free entry and 90-day stays in all 15 ECOWAS member states.

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth (Jus Sanguinis / Qualified Jus Soli)

Nigeria does not apply unconditional jus soli. Birth in Nigeria alone does not confer citizenship.

Section 25 of the 1999 Constitution:

A person is a Nigerian citizen by birth if:

  1. They were born in Nigeria before October 1, 1960 (independence), and either parent or any grandparent belonged or would have belonged to the indigenous communities of Nigeria. OR
  2. They were born in Nigeria after October 1, 1960, and either parent or any grandparent is a citizen of Nigeria. OR
  3. They were born outside Nigeria and either parent is a citizen of Nigeria.

Key notes:

  • The “indigenous communities” language in the Constitution is not precisely defined and has been the subject of legal debate, particularly regarding settler communities and non-indigenous ethnic groups.
  • There is no unconditional jus soli — a child born in Nigeria to two non-Nigerian parents does not acquire Nigerian citizenship at birth.

By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)

Citizenship by descent operates through either parent equally.

Rules:

  1. A child born to a Nigerian father or mother is a citizen of Nigeria, whether born in or outside Nigeria.
  2. The grandparent rule extends coverage: a person with at least one Nigerian grandparent qualifies for citizenship by birth.
  3. There is no generational limit beyond the grandparent provision, but documentation of the ancestral connection is required.

By Adoption

Nigerian law does not provide for automatic acquisition of citizenship through adoption. An adopted child of a Nigerian citizen may apply for citizenship by registration under Section 26, depending on the circumstances.

By Marriage

Marriage to a Nigerian citizen does not confer automatic citizenship. However, under Section 26(2)(a) of the Constitution:

  • A woman married to a Nigerian citizen may apply for citizenship by registration. She must demonstrate that she is of good character, has an intention to reside in Nigeria, and has taken the oath of allegiance.
  • The provision specifically references a woman married to a citizen. The question of whether a foreign man married to a Nigerian woman has equal access to registration has been contested, and practice varies.

By Naturalization

Naturalization under Section 27 of the Constitution is available to any person who satisfies the President that:

RequirementDetails
Residence15 years of continuous residence in Nigeria (or satisfactory qualifications at the President’s discretion)
Good characterNo criminal record; evidence of good character
Community integrationFamiliarity with Nigerian culture and way of life
ContributionAbility to make a contribution to the advancement of Nigeria
LanguageAdequate knowledge of English or a major Nigerian language (Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, etc.)
RenunciationMust renounce all prior nationalities (dual citizenship is not permitted for naturalized citizens)
OathMust take the oath of allegiance

The 15-year requirement is one of the longest in Africa. Naturalization is granted by the President and is highly discretionary. In practice, naturalizations are rare and tend to be granted to persons of significant economic or cultural importance to Nigeria.

Loss and Renunciation

Voluntary Renunciation

Under Section 29 of the Constitution, any Nigerian citizen of full age who wishes to renounce citizenship may do so by making a declaration of renunciation registered with the President. The renunciation takes effect upon registration.

Important caveat: If Nigeria is at war, renunciation may be withheld at the President’s discretion until the end of hostilities.

Involuntary Loss

  • Naturalized and registered citizens: May lose citizenship if they acquire the citizenship of another country (Section 28(1)).
  • Fraud or disloyalty: The President may deprive a naturalized citizen of citizenship if satisfied that the registration or naturalization was obtained by fraud, false representation, or concealment of material fact, or if the person has shown disloyalty or disaffection (Section 30).
  • Citizens by birth: Cannot be deprived of citizenship under any circumstances. This is a constitutional protection.

Restoration of Nationality

The Constitution does not contain an explicit restoration provision. However:

  • A person who renounced Nigerian citizenship may reapply through registration or naturalization channels.
  • Persons who lost citizenship by acquiring foreign nationality before the current constitutional framework may argue they fall under the “citizen by birth” protection, which does not impose automatic loss.
  • The practical process involves application to the Nigeria Immigration Service and is determined case by case.

Stateless Persons and Foundlings

  • The Constitution does not contain an explicit foundling provision, but administrative practice treats children of unknown parentage found in Nigeria as Nigerian.
  • Statelessness risks exist for certain populations, including persons in border communities (Nigeria-Cameroon, Nigeria-Chad) where documentation and nationality status are ambiguous.
  • Nigeria has ratified the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons but has not ratified the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

Document Checklist

Completed citizenship application form (obtained from Nigeria Immigration Service)

Birth certificate or statutory declaration of age

Valid passport or travel document

Proof of Nigerian parentage or grandparentage (for citizenship by birth)

Proof of 15 years continuous residence (for naturalization)

Police clearance certificate (Nigeria and country of origin)

Character references from Nigerian citizens (2-3)

Passport-sized photographs (6)

Marriage certificate (if applying through marriage registration)

Certificate of renunciation from prior nationality (for naturalization)

Oath of allegiance

Application fee receipt

Sources

  1. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) — Chapter III, Sections 25-32 on citizenship. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Nigeria_2011

  2. Nigeria Immigration Service — Administrative authority for citizenship applications. https://immigration.gov.ng/

  3. Nigerian Citizenship Act — Supplementary legislation on registration and naturalization.

  4. ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons (1979) — https://www.ecowas.int/

  5. UNHCR Refworld — Nigeria — Nationality and statelessness information. https://www.refworld.org/

  6. Federal Ministry of Interior, Nigeria — Oversight of nationality and immigration policy. https://interior.gov.ng/

← All Countries