Aregbesola advocates easy citizenship process for foreigners.

Rauf Aregbesola, the interior minister, has complained about how difficult it is for foreigners to become citizens of the nation.

According to Chapter III of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, a person may become a citizen of Nigeria via birth, registration, or naturalization, according to the MINIECHAT.

The constitution further stated that a person “must have lived in Nigeria for at least 15 years preceding the date of his application, or for a period totaling at least 15 years within the 20 years immediately preceding those 12 months if he has lived in Nigeria for 12 months and a period totaling at least 15 years within the 20 years immediately preceding those 12 months” in order to qualify for a certificate of naturalization.

The minister, however, lamented the lengthy 15-year constitutional residence requirement, saying it discourages foreigners who would have liked to become Nigerians and support the country’s progress.

This, according to Aregbesola, explains why the nation has only been able to issue citizenship to 286 foreigners after many years.

He gave a speech in Abuja at the first gathering of the Advisory Committee on Nigerian Citizenship for 2023.

Aregbesola encouraged the committee to speed work on the processing of applications for Nigerian citizenship, according to a statement released on Wednesday by Afonja Ajibola, Director of Press at the Ministry of Interior.

Aregbesola said he was looking forward to certain adjustments in the qualifications, quick application processing, and prompt nomination of suitable candidates to the President for confirmation.

“The minister also said that candidates for Nigerian citizenship come from almost every country in the globe, many of which are clearly wealthier than Nigeria. This proves without a doubt that despite her many difficulties, Nigeria has an alluring allure for them.

The procedure that was finished in September of last year at a ceremony presided over by President Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa Banquet Hall left the minister “concerned that after many years, just 286 were able to pass the obstacle to become Nigerian citizens.”

Aregebesola said that the nation gets applications from foreigners who adore Nigeria and want to become citizens on a regular basis.

Miniechat

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