By Joe Udo
ABUJA (CONVERSEER) – No fewer than 170 foreign nationals have applied for Nigerian citizenship, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed.
The minister made this known on Monday via the ministry’s official WhatsApp channel after presiding over a meeting of the Citizenship Advisory Committee in Abuja.
Dr Tunji-Ojo said the Federal Government had commenced the review of the 170 applications in line with constitutional provisions.
According to him, the Citizenship Advisory Committee, which is mandated to review and recommend qualified applicants to President Bola Tinubu for approval, comprises key officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
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He reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to ensuring transparency and integrity in the citizenship process, describing Nigerian citizenship as a privilege that must be carefully granted.
“Our promise stands. Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we will continue to do everything possible to make our beloved country a prosperous nation and a destination of interest for all,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
He further noted that the committee viewed the ongoing review as a “test of integrity” and would uphold the trust reposed in it by Nigerians.
“Citizenship of the biggest Black nation on earth is a valuable asset that requires careful consideration. We assure Nigerians that we will prioritise integrity and proven character above all else,” he added.
