₦airaland Forum

Nigerian actress and gospel music singer, Princess Njideka Okeke, has remarried; ENigeria News can report authoritatively.

Famous for the popular gospel album Akanchawa, which she co-produced and released in 2004 along with her now estranged husband, Gozie Okeke, Princess Njideka ventured into acting following a guest appearance in the movie titled “Beauty in the Sun.” This was after her first marriage fell apart in 2010.

ENigeria News reports that Princess Njideka and Gozie Okeke later worked things out in their marriage and came back together in 2014 after reported interventions from notable clerics, Reverend Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry and Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, popularly known as Ebube Muoso. The couple, who released a special album titled “Reconciliation Praise” in commemoration of their re-union, later fell apart and went their separate ways.

Read More: SOURCE: [https://enigerianews.com/breaking-news-princess-njide-okeke-re-marries/]

ENigeria News reports that Emirates Airlines, the world’s largest international airline, has signed an interline agreement with West Africa’s largest airline, Air Peace, enhancing connectivity for passengers traveling to and from Nigeria.

The partnership expands Emirates’ footprint to 13 new cities in Nigeria with frictionless single-ticket travel and simplified baggage throughout.

Travelers booked on flights from Dubai to Lagos can access more of Nigeria, with onward connections to Asaba, Akure, Benin City, Calabar, Enugu, Ilorin, Kaduna, and Owerri.

ENigeria News understands that the interline agreement will also benefit corporate travelers, connecting to additional cities in one of Africa’s major economic hubs, including its capital city Abuja, Kano, Uyo, Port Harcourt, and Warri, further supporting the strong bilateral trade relationship between Nigeria and the UAE.

The BASA amendment includes plans for expanding codeshare agreements, capacity building, and technical support, focusing on safety, airport facilitation, and security.

Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo emphasized the importance of these enhancements for connectivity and suggested a review of visa restrictions to potentially increase passenger traffic, which would be mutually beneficial for both nations.

This strategic partnership between Emirates Airlines and Air Peace not only promises to revolutionize travel options for Nigerians but also positions Nigeria as a key aviation hub in the region. The readiness of both countries to implement and maximize the benefits from this agreement sets a hopeful tone for future collaborations in the aviation sector.

SOURCE; https://enigerianews.com/emirates-signs-interline-agreement-with-air-peace/

Concerns are piling up as the Moruf Oseni-led Wema Bank again lost a whopping N2.9 billion in depositors’ funds to fraudsters following another system failure, ENigeria News reports.

ENigeria News reports that Wema Bank Plc, under the leadership of Mr. Moruf Oseni, the Chief Executive Officer, has been consistently losing billions of naira to scammers lately.

This is because the bank’s weak system keeps malfunctioning, allowing unauthorized individuals to access customers’ bank accounts and causing significant losses of depositor funds.
The latest in the series of such events as described above is the ongoing struggle by Wema Bank and its management to recover N2.9 billion reportedly withdrawn from the bank without authorization due to another system failure.

In a lawsuit filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos, the bank is seeking a preservative order requiring the financial institutions involved to return the funds amounting to N2,906,226,083 that have been traced to accounts within their institutions.

The legal action follows an operational failure in Wema Bank’s core banking system on January 16, 2025, which led to the unauthorized transfer of the funds from customers’ accounts.

ENigeria News reports that, according to an affidavit by the bank’s Head of Special Review and Investigation, Kehinde Buari, the system glitch resulted in unintended transactions impacting accounts both within Wema Bank and 26 defendant financial institutions.

In response, Wema Bank said it launched an internal investigation to trace and recover the missing funds. While part of the unauthorized transactions was found within the bank’s own system, a significant portion was discovered in external accounts linked to the defendants.

The bank further disclosed that the total sum of N888,301,598.15 has been salvaged by some of the financial institutions.
Investigations revealed that some recipients attempted to hide or obscure the origin of the funds by transferring them between multiple accounts.

Wema Bank quickly alerted the affected financial institutions about the glitch and the fraudulent transactions, requesting that they freeze the affected accounts.

To support its ongoing recovery efforts, Wema Bank’s internal audit and legal teams compiled reports tracing the movement of the funds, identifying the recipient accounts, and detailing the amounts recovered so far.
The bank also engaged the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) to track the funds across several financial institutions, which led to further communication with the defendant banks regarding the unauthorized transfers.

Wema Bank is now seeking a court order compelling the 26 financial institutions to return the recovered funds and any additional amounts that can still be traced.

The bank is also requesting that the court direct the institutions to provide details of account holders who received and dissipated the unauthorized funds to enable law enforcement agencies to carry out further investigations and recover additional funds.

Furthermore, the Moruf Oseni-led Wema Bank is asking the court to place the affected account holders on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Credit Risk Management System and other financial watchlists via their Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) until the full recovery of the stolen funds.

The bank emphasized that, while some of the affected financial institutions have taken initial steps to restrict the unauthorized transactions, a formal court order is essential to ensure full compliance and restitution.
Wema Bank warned that failing to obtain the required legal directives could lead to the release of the frozen funds, undermining their recovery efforts.

The Witness reports that this incident is not the first of its kind in Nigeria. In January, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) secured a court order to recover ₦1.9 billion that was mistakenly credited to customer accounts due to a system error in October 2024.

These incidents are raising concerns about how Nigerian banks protect interbank transactions, especially as transaction volumes increase. Some analysts suggest that outdated infrastructure and weak oversight could be contributing to the growing risk of errors and fraud.
SOURCE: https://enigerianews.com/moruf-oseni-led-wema-bank-loses-n2-9-billion-to-fraudsters-due-to-system-failure/

The ongoing case of the Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been reassigned to a different judge by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho.

ENigeria News reports that the development was communicated via Nnamdu Kanu’s attorney, Aloy Ejimakor, in a statement on Saturday, where he also announced that Kanu is ready to face his trial because he’s convinced of his innocence.

Ejimakor said during a routine visit to Nnamdi Kanu, the legal team received two separate official letters regarding his case. Adding that the letters were momentous and somewhat pyrrhic.

According to him, one letter was from the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, responding to a recent letter the team had written to her, seeking her prompt administrative intervention on the matter of a proper and lawful reassignment of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case, following the recusal of the Judge that was conducting it.

He said the other letter was from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, informing the team that the case has been reassigned to another Judge of the Federal High Court.

Ejimakor disclosed that, consequent upon these latest developments, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu instructed the legal team to publicly convey his sincere gratitude’s to the Chief Justice of Nigeria for her sound administrative discretions and the dispatch with which she responded to our request.

Kanu also expressed his profound appreciations to members of the general public who publicly expressed their support for his righteous demands that the case be reassigned to another Judge, as the law demands.

The lawyer said Nnamdi Kanu has always been ready to take his trial because he is firmly convinced of his innocence, adding that, the perverse events of the past six months, from September 2024, when the recusal happened, posed portent dangers to his constitutional rights, particularly his right to fair and speedy hearing.

Ejimakor assured that Nnamdi Kanu and his legal team would take stock and hanker down to the zealous preparation of his defense.
https://enigerianews.com/nnamdi-kanus-case-now-reassigned-to-new-judge/

A special Offenses Court sitting in Ikeja Lagos has granted Jude Okoye bail along with two sureties in the like sum of N50 million each, ENigeria News reports.
Jude Okoye, a former manager of the defunct music group, P-square and elder brother of Peter and Paul Okoye was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on fresh four count charges before Justice Ramon Oshodi of the Special Offences Court.

The four count charges bordered on alleged stealing and illegal diversion of funds in the tune of $767,544.15 among others, all of which Jude Okoye, and his company Northside Music Limited pleaded not guilty.

ENigeria News reports that the alleged stolen sum among others were reportedly paid by Lex Records limited as payment for music digital distribution/publishing royalties of P-Square catalogue, but was allegedly diverted by Jude Okoye “with intent to deprive his brother, Peter Okoye, his special interest in the asset.”

Okoye and his company Northside Music Limited were also arraigned by the EFCC over alleged theft of another $1 million, £34,537.59, laundering of N1.38bn, $1m, and £34,537.59, all of which are existing charges before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The EFCC claims that the alleged offences were committed sometime between 2016 and 2023.
However, in a dramatic twist, EFCC’s prosecutor, Mohammed Bashiru told the court that the Commission would be fielding 29 witnesses to testify against Mr. Jude and his Northside Music Limited in the ongoing case.

The Court had on Tuesday adjourned till Thursday for the hearing and ruling on the bail application filed by Jude’s new lawyer, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN).

Upon hearing the affidavits and arguments of both the prosecution and defense counsels, the court granted the defendant bail and two sureties in like sum of N50 million each.

Also the defendant who holds dual citizenship was told to drop his passports with the court, while the EFCC was instructed by the court to ensure that the Nigerian Immigrations Service is duly briefed about the defendant’s ongoing case in court.
SOURCE: https://enigerianews.com/ikeja-court-grants-jude-okoye-n100million-bail-two-sureties/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to present 29 witnesses to testify against Jude Okoye in the ongoing fraud case before Justice Ramon Oshodi of the Special Offences Court Ikeja.
ENigeria News reports that EFCC filed fresh four-count charge bordering on stealing and illegal conversion of the sum of $767,544.15 against Jude Okoye, a former Manager and elder brother of Peter and Paul Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square and his company Northside Music Limited.

The said sum among others were reportedly paid by Lex Records limited as payment for music digital distribution/publishing royalties of P-Square catalogue, but was allegedly diverted by Jude Okoye “with intent to deprive his brother, Peter Okoye, his special interest in the asset.” [url]READ MORE[/url]
https://enigerianews.com/29-witnesses-to-testify-against-jude-okoye-efcc/

Heirs Holdings Oil and Gas owned by billionaire Tony Elumelu and 45 other oil companies are under probe by the House of Representatives for failure to remit N9.4 trillion payments to the Federal Government.
In a statement released to the media on Sunday, Akin Rotimi, spokesperson of the House of Reps, said that the debt includes unpaid royalties, concession rentals, gas flare penalties, and liabilities arising from Production Sharing Contracts, Repayment Agreements, and Modified Carry Arrangements.

“A review of the Auditor-General’s Annual Report on the Consolidated Financial Statement for the year ending December 31, 2021, coupled with further investigations, showed that as of late 2024, multiple oil companies collectively owed approximately N9.4 trillion,” the statement noted.

List of Oil Companies indebted to FG
Apart from the Tony Elumelu-led Heirs Holdings Oil and Gas, other companies enlisted for probe include: Addax Petroleum Exploration Nigeria Limited, All Grace Energy, Amalgamated Oil Company Nigeria Limited, Amni International Petroleum Development Company Limited, Belemaoil Producing Limited, Bilton Energy Limited, Britannia-U, Waltersmith Petroman Limited, Chevron Nigeria Limited (OML 90, 95, 49), Chorus Energy, Conoil Plc, Continental Oil & Gas Company Limited, Dubri Oil Company Limited, Enageed Resources Limited, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, Energia Limited, and Eroton Exploration & Production Company Limited.
Also included are Esso E & P Limited (Usan, Erha), First E & P Limited, Frontier Oil Limited, General Hydrocarbons Limited, Green Energy International Limited, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited (NAE), Panocean Oil Nigeria Limited (OML 147), Neconde Energy Limited, Newcross Exploration and Production Limited, and Newcross Petroleum (OML 152).

Other firms named are Network Exploration & Production Limited, Total E&P Nigeria (OML 100, 102, 52 & 99), Niger Delta Petroleum, Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) (OML 60, 61 & 63), Lekoil Oil and Gas Investments Limited, Midwestern Oil and Gas Limited, Millennium Oil and Gas Company Limited, Seplat Energy (OML 4, 38 & 41), and Oriental Energy Resources Limited.


Oando Oil Limited (OML 60, 61 & 62), Pillar Oil Limited, Platform Petroleum Limited, Shell Petroleum Development Company (OML 27), Universal Energy Limited/Sinpec, Shoreline Natural Resources, Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited, Sahara Field Production Limited, and Mobil Producing Nigeria Limited (OML 67 & 70) are also under investigation.


ENigeria News reports that the investigation also found that despite the mandates outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which require settlement within 30 days, the debts remained unpaid as of the last quarter of 2024.

However, in response to these findings, the House Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Bamidele Salam, has scheduled investigative hearings at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

“Ensuring that oil companies fulfill their statutory obligations is crucial to maintaining the integrity and accountability of our national resources.

“We seek a collaborative approach to resolving these discrepancies efficiently,” Salam noted.

Earlier this year, on January 28, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) revealed that it was working in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to recover $6 billion and N66 billion owed to the federal government by various oil and gas companies.
https://enigerianews.com/reps-probe-tony-elumelu-led-heirs-holding-45-other-oil-firms-over-n9-4-trillion-debt/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is likely to re-arrest Jude Okoye today in the court premises, ENigeria News can report authoritatively.

Last Wednesday, Jude Okoye was arraigned by the EFCC, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on charges bordering on money Laundering, illegal conversion of proceeds from "illegal act", among other charges.

ENigeria News reports that the charges compiled by the EFCC on behalf of Peter Okoye, the complainant chronicled how Jude Okoye allegedly used Access Bank to launder a whopping sum of over $1 million which is his share of proceeds from P-Square’s musical royalties.

However, upon the bail hearing on Friday, the court had fixed today, Monday for ruling.

Sources sources informed ENigeria News that if the court grants the bail application today, the EFCC may likely re-arrest Mr. Okoye and re-arraign him before Justice Oshodi of Ikeja High Court.

Documents obtained by ENigeria News shows that shows that the fresh charges have already been filed by the EFCC even before his re-arraignment at the Federal High Court last week.
https://enigerianews.com/breaking-efcc-to-rearrests-jude-okoye-files-fresh-charges-in-ikeja-high-court/

Paul Okoye also known as Rudeboy, one of the duos of the now rested P-Square music group staked one of his multi-billion-naira Ikoyi property, standing surety to ensure release of his brother and former manager, Jude Okoye.

In a shocking but widely applauded move in on Friday, Rudeboy who arrived court in the company of his lawyer, Barrister Somadina Eugene Okorie, surprised everyone when he stood up in open court to announce his willingness to stake one of his prime properties, sitting at Ikoyi valued at billion naira, as he stood surety for Jude to be released to him on bail.

He said, “My Lord, I have here with me documents of one of my properties situated in Ikoyi valued at several billions of naira, and I’m willing to drop it with the court, but please release my brother to me on bail today”.

WATCH VIDEO: https://enigerianews.com/exclusive-video-rudeboy-stakes-multi-billion-naira-ikoyi-property-stands-surety-for-jude-okoye/

Recall that on Wednesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Jude Okoye before Justice Alexanda Owoeye of Federal High Court Ikoyi on allegations bordering on, money laundering, illegal conversion among other charges.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges, while the court adjourned for Friday, February 28, 2025 for his bail hearing.

Rudeboy's action, which implies that he stands with Jude in the ongoing dispute between the Okoye brothers, was met with mixed reactions.
Many people found it shocking, while others weren't because of earlier incidents that shown where his loyalty laid.
While Peter had refused making any comment on the forgoing, Rudeboy wasted no time showing support for Jude. He took to his Instagram Story and dropped a cryptic message. He wrote: “Exactly what he wants. This too, shall pass. Stay strong, brother @judeengees.”

By Barrister Somadina Eugene-Okorie

The first part of this article, published a few weeks ago, discussed the background of Citizenship by Investment (CBI), the program's benefits for participants, and the principles upon which it was founded.

In the second part of the article, I want to build on the numerous opportunities that CBI program presents for our country Nigeria, as well as how it can help strengthen our ties with the global community.


5.0 The Economic Benefits of a Citizenship by Investment Program

a) Attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): As already established in ab initio, a CBI program allows individuals to invest in a country’s economy in exchange for citizenship.

For Nigeria, this could mean attracting significant foreign capital into strategic sectors such as real estate, infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology.

Given Nigeria's challenges with infrastructure, a CBI program could be an effective tool to attract investment in building essential projects such as roads, bridges, energy/power plants, and modern housing developments.

The foreign investors who participate in such programs typically invest in long-term projects that create jobs, stimulate local businesses, and contribute to public funding through taxes.

By securing large-scale investments in critical sectors, Nigeria would benefit from an infusion of capital that could help alleviate its infrastructure deficit.

Additionally, foreign investors could bring new technologies and expertise that would benefit Nigeria's manufacturing and services sectors, potentially leading to increased productivity and enhanced global competitiveness.

b) Strengthening the Naira and Enhancing Foreign Currency Reserves: One of the direct benefits of CBI programs is the inflow of foreign currency. Many CBI programs require applicants to make their investments in foreign currencies such as the U.S. dollar, the Euro, or the British pound. These currencies would flow into Nigeria’s economy, directly boosting the country’s foreign exchange reserves and stabilizing the value of the Naira. By investing in sectors that generate foreign income, such as tourism, technology, and export-oriented industries, Nigeria could also build a sustainable stream of foreign currency. This would help mitigate the volatility of oil prices, which has historically had a significant impact on the value of the Naira. The diversification of foreign currency sources could also protect Nigeria from global economic shocks, ensuring greater financial stability.

c) Job Creation and Skill Development: CBI programs typically encourage investments in high-value projects that create jobs and provide training opportunities. In Nigeria, this could mean the development of new industries, particularly in sectors like tourism, real estate, and technology. As investors contribute capital, they would also create employment opportunities, from construction jobs in real estate developments to high-skilled positions in technology firms, boosting overall job creation. Furthermore, foreign investors often bring with them valuable business acumen, knowledge, and international best practices. These skills could be transferred to the Nigerian workforce, facilitating long-term capacity building and improving the overall quality of human capital in the country. This would not only increase Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage but also help address the country’s youth unemployment crisis.

d) Maximizing Resources and Benefits through Strategic Incentives: One of the unique aspects of a CBI program is the ability to offer targeted incentives to attract high-quality investments. By providing a combination of tax breaks, investment guarantees, and other economic incentives, Nigeria could ensure that investments made through the CBI program benefit both foreign investors and the local population. For example, Nigeria could offer tax incentives for investors who commit to reinvesting their returns into the local economy, such as by funding education, healthcare, or public services. Similarly, Nigeria could encourage investors to partner with local businesses, ensuring that a portion of the capital stays within the country’s economy. In addition to fiscal incentives, Nigeria could offer residency and citizenship benefits that allow investors to benefit from favourable trade agreements and access to global markets. This would make Nigeria an attractive destination for international investors, as it would not only offer citizenship but also enhance their global mobility and access to regional economic hubs within Africa and beyond.

5.1 Raising Awareness and Building Trust in Nigeria Through a Possible Citizenship by Investment Program

The success of a CBI program hinges on effective marketing and awareness-building efforts. Nigeria must develop a comprehensive strategy to promote the benefits of its program both domestically and internationally.

a. International Campaigns and Partnerships: To attract international investors, Nigeria needs to develop an outreach strategy that targets high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and wealthy investors across the globe. This could involve partnerships with global financial institutions, wealth management firms, and international law firms that specialize in immigration and investment. Engaging in targeted marketing campaigns at global investment conferences, real estate expos, and trade events would help increase Nigeria’s visibility and credibility as a destination for investment.

b. Building Investor Confidence: Potential investors are likely to be cautious about any new program. To build trust, the Nigerian government would need to ensure that the CBI program is backed by a transparent, secure, and well-regulated framework. By establishing clear guidelines, monitoring systems, and strong anti-corruption measures, the government could allay concerns about the misuse of funds or the risk of money laundering. Additionally, offering a simple and predictable process for acquiring citizenship or residency would make the program more attractive to investors. Clear communication, efficient processing times, and the ability to quickly and easily access information about the program would foster a sense of security for potential investors.

c. Public Engagement and Education: Educating the Nigerian public about the benefits of a CBI program is also crucial. Many Nigerians may initially view such a program with scepticism, particularly considering concerns about social inequality or the concentration of wealth. The government could launch public information campaigns explaining how the funds from the CBI program will be used to benefit the country’s economy, improve infrastructure, create jobs, and foster economic diversification. Local businesses, entrepreneurs, and the public could be encouraged to engage with the opportunities created by foreign investments. By demonstrating the direct and long-term benefits of the program, the government can build broad support for CBI initiatives.

6.1 The Negative Impact of Lack of Citizenship by Investment on Nigeria’s Present Economy

In recent years, Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs have emerged as a powerful tool for major economic growth, offering foreign nationals the opportunity to acquire citizenship in exchange for significant investments in a country’s economy. While many countries, especially small island nations in the Caribbeans have used CBI programs to boost their economies, Nigeria, with its vast resources and potential, has yet to fully explore this lucrative option.

It is submitted that if not introduced, Nigeria will certainly continue to suffer from loss of huge capital investment to foreign nations, the potential economic gains, such as the importance of foreign currency inflows, will continue to erode the country.

Conclusion

A Citizenship by Investment program has the potential to bring substantial economic benefits to Nigeria. By attracting foreign capital, increasing foreign currency reserves, creating jobs, and building a more diversified economy, Nigeria could harness the power of global investment to strengthen its position in the global economy.

The success of such a program, however, will depend on how effectively it is marketed, implemented, and integrated with the country’s long-term development goals. Through strategic incentives, transparent processes, and a focus on building investor confidence, Nigeria could turn CBI into a key pillar of its economic growth, unlocking new opportunities for prosperity and global influence.

Recommendations:
- Nigeria should as a follow up plan or develop a strategy on CBI program that will bring back her loss investments and encourage foreign investment participation.

- There is need for an amendment of the present constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to include CBI.

Somadina Eugene-Okorie
Business solicitor
Writes from Lekki,
Lagos Nigeria.

2.0 The Concept of Citizenship Defined

The concept of citizenship has an ancient root, originating from the city-states of Ancient Greece. History has it that in Athens, citizenship was closely tied to active participation in the Polis (a city state in ancient Greece).
There (Polis), citizens were expected to engage in decision-making processes, military service, and other public duties. However, the idea grew increasingly restricted, and reserved for only free-born males, excluding women, slaves, and foreigners.

The steady evolution of citizenship, as it were, was also greatly aided by the Romans. The Roman Empire, for instance, is renowned today for extending the definition of citizenship and turning it into a legal status with related rights and protections. Roman citizens were entitled to rights like voting rights, property ownership, and, in some cases, legal immunity.
In order to integrate other populations within the empire, Rome became more inclusive over time and granted citizenship to conquered peoples.

Citizenship is a universal yet highly nuanced concept that underpins human organization, governance, and belonging.
As a legal, political, social, and cultural phenomenon, it serves as a cornerstone of modern civilization. Its definition evolves across contexts, but at its core, citizenship is the relationship between an individual and a state, defined by mutual rights, obligations, and identity.

In Nigeria the concept has been used as the critical legal and constitutional framework that seems to define the relationship between the individual and the state. It confers rights, privileges, and responsibilities, ensuring participation in the political, social, and economic life of the nation. The Nigerian Constitution, primarily in Chapter III (Sections 25–32), outlines the concept, acquisition, and implications of citizenship.

3.0 A Comparative Analysis of Citizenship Under Nigerian and the United States of America (U.S.) Law: Legal Foundations, Terminology, and Implications

3.1 Citizenship Under the Nigerian Law

Citizenship is primarily governed by Chapter III of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Constitution outlines the various pathways to citizenship, including by birth, by descent, by marriage, and by naturalization. These categories reflect Nigeria’s mix of jus soli (right of the soil) and jus sanguinis (right of blood) principles.

3.2 Acquisition of Citizenship in Nigeria

By Birth: The Nigerian Constitution grants citizenship to individuals born in Nigeria, as long as at least one parent is a Nigerian citizen at the time of their birth. This is codified under Section 25 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999). A child born in Nigeria to non-Nigerian parents can acquire citizenship if one of the parents is a Nigerian citizen. This is an application of the jus soli principle.

Moreover, a child born outside Nigeria to Nigerian parents (or a Nigerian parent, under specific conditions) can also be eligible for Nigerian citizenship by descent, provided certain conditions are met under section 26 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999). Here, jus sanguinis prevails.

By Descent: Nigerian citizenship can also be acquired by descent. A child born outside Nigeria to Nigerian parents automatically inherits Nigerian citizenship, so long as the parent(s) were Nigerian citizens at the time of the child’s birth. This provision is governed by Section 26 of the of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999). which ensures that Nigerian nationality can be passed down to future generations even if born outside Nigeria.

By Marriage: The Nigerian Constitution recognizes the right of foreign spouses to apply for naturalization, although marriage alone does not automatically grant citizenship. Under Section 27 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999), a foreign woman married to a Nigerian man may apply for citizenship after fulfilling the residency and character conditions outlined in the law. This reflects Nigeria's inclusivity toward foreign nationals in fostering a connection with Nigerian citizens.

By Naturalization: Naturalization is the process by which a foreigner can acquire Nigerian citizenship. As outlined in section 26 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999), naturalization is available to any foreigner who has lived in Nigeria for a continuous period of 15 years and meets other legal requirements. The process is subject to approval by the Nigerian government, making it discretionary. This provision reflects the high threshold for naturalization, aimed at ensuring that individuals seeking to be Nigerian citizens have integrated significantly into Nigerian society.

3.3 The Concept of Dual Citizenship in Nigeria

The issue of dual citizenship in Nigeria is a complex one. According to section 28 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nigerian citizens who voluntarily acquire a foreign nationality after birth (either through naturalization, marriage, or other means) automatically lose their Nigerian citizenship. However, individuals who acquire another citizenship by birth (e.g., those born outside Nigeria to Nigerian parents) are not affected by this rule. This means that Nigerians who are citizens of other countries by birth can hold dual citizenship, but this is not the case for those who acquire foreign nationality after birth.

This provision has been controversial, especially among Nigerians who hold multiple citizenships by birth or those who acquire foreign citizenship for economic or educational opportunities.

3.4 Citizenship in United States of America

The United States (U.S) citizenship is governed by the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The U.S. follows both jus soli and jus sanguinis principles, with strong emphasis on the rights of those born on U.S. soil and those with American parentage.

3.5 Acquisition of Citizenship in the U.S.

By Birth: The U.S. adheres to the principle of jus soli, granting citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil. The 14th Amendment explicitly guarantees birthright citizenship, stating that: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

This provision ensures that children born in the U.S. automatically acquire citizenship, irrespective of the citizenship of their parents, with exceptions for children born to foreign diplomats or enemy soldiers.

By Descent: In addition to birthright citizenship, the U.S. practices jus sanguinis for individuals born outside the country to U.S. citizen parents. According to Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 301, a child born abroad can acquire U.S. citizenship at birth if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen and has met specific physical presence requirements in the U.S. This principle ensures that U.S. citizenship can be transmitted to generations born outside the United States.

By Naturalization: The process of naturalization in the U.S. allows foreign nationals to apply for citizenship after meeting certain criteria. According to Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 316, an applicant must have been a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for at least five years (three years if married to a U.S. citizen). Additional requirements include demonstrating good moral character, proficiency in English, and passing a civics test. Naturalization is a path to citizenship for those who were not born in the U.S. or to U.S. citizen parents.

By Marriage: Foreign nationals married to U.S. citizens may apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization, with expedited eligibility after three years of residence in the U.S. under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 319. This provision allows the spouse of a U.S. citizen to bypass the general five-year residency requirement, assuming they meet other eligibility criteria.

3.5 Understanding the Concept of Dual Citizenship in the U.S.

The U.S. recognizes and permits dual citizenship, a practice not explicitly endorsed or prohibited by law. While the U.S. does not encourage dual citizenship, it does not require individuals to renounce their foreign nationality when acquiring U.S. citizenship.

For as long as individuals obey U.S. laws, including taxes and military service, dual citizens are allowed to maintain their foreign citizenship, though complications may arise regarding conflicting legal obligations (e.g., taxes, legal jurisdiction, military service). The U.S. does not have a formal legal policy mandating the renunciation of other citizenships upon acquiring U.S. nationality, although the government expects primary loyalty to the U.S.

Citizenship laws in both Nigeria and the United States reflect differing national priorities and historical contexts. While both nations operate on principles of jus soli and jus sanguinis, the application of these principles varies. The U.S. offers a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to citizenship, by granting birthright citizenship and recognizing dual citizenship without requiring renunciation. This is a sharp contrast to Nigeria's citizenship laws which far more restrictive and rigid, particularly in terms of dual nationality and the process of naturalization.

For Nigeria, adopting a more flexible approach to dual citizenship and revising naturalization requirements could encourage global mobility, attract foreign investment, and foster economic growth. Similarly, acknowledging new mechanisms such as Citizenship by Investment could position Nigeria to benefit from global trends while simultaneously balancing the interests of national identity and economic progress.


4.0 What is Citizenship by Investment?

Citizenship by investment (CBI) is way to obtain citizenship of a country, via a large investment in that country that is consistent with the laws, rules, and regulations of that country. This is quite an inclusive policy that has gained recognition in the United States and many developed countries in the world.
It is a governmental programme that developing countries especially those on the Caribbean Island have imbibed to better their country and encourage foreign capital investment from foreigners who meet the requirements.

Nigeria being Africa’s largest economy, is a country blessed with abundant natural resources, a young population, and a dynamic private sector. However, the country has faced challenges in attracting sufficient foreign investment, diversifying its economy, and creating jobs for its ever-growing population. While Nigeria has benefitted from oil exports for decades, the global shift toward green energy, fluctuating oil prices, and a reliance on commodity exports make it increasingly urgent for the country to diversify its revenue streams.

Implementing a Citizenship by Investment program is one avenue Nigeria may consider.
Rather than simply pulling resources out of the country or depleting foreign reserves, a well-managed CBI program could help channel international capital into key sectors of the Nigerian economy. By offering citizenship to foreign investors in exchange for substantial economic contributions, Nigeria could not only enhance its economic standing but also forge stronger ties with the global investment community.

Somadina Eugene Okorie Esq
Business solicitor
Writes form lekki
Lagos