The Federal Government has commenced the screening of 170 foreign nationals seeking to become Nigerian citizens through naturalisation and registration.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a review meeting of the Advisory Committee on Nigerian Citizenship (ACNC), which he chairs.
Tunji-Ojo described Nigerian citizenship as a privilege that must be earned, not granted arbitrarily, stressing that only individuals of proven integrity and good character would be considered.
“Our promise stands. Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our government will continue to do everything possible to make Nigeria a prosperous nation and a destination of choice for all,” the minister said.
He disclosed that the 170 applications under review were submitted by foreigners from various parts of the world, seeking Nigerian nationality.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the Citizenship Advisory Committee comprises senior representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
He assured that the screening process would be thorough, transparent, and guided by national security considerations, with all recommendations subject to presidential approval.
“The ongoing exercise will be conducted with utmost integrity. Every application will be meticulously scrutinised before being forwarded to the President for final decision,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo also cautioned that the government would not condone fraudulent or illegal attempts to acquire Nigerian citizenship, reiterating that national identity must be protected.
“Citizenship cannot and will not be granted to individuals who pose potential security threats. We must ensure that only the most deserving applicants are approved, in the best interest of our nation,” he warned.
The minister noted that the review process aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises national integrity, prosperity, and security.
He urged members of the committee to remain objective and uphold the highest standards in assessing each applicant, ensuring that Nigerian citizenship continues to represent a mark of honour, responsibility, and commitment to nation-building.
