116 Foreign Nationals Applied For Nigerian Citizenship In 12 Months – Lagos Govt
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to supporting lawful integration of foreign residents, announcing that 116 applications for Nigerian citizenship and special immigrant status were processed between May 2024 and May 2025.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Olanrewaju Mr Ibrahim Layode, shared the update during a ministerial press briefing on Tuesday in Alausa, Ikeja.
The event was part of the activities marking Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second year in his second term in office.
While the Federal Ministry of Interior oversees citizenship applications, Layode explained that the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs collaborates closely in facilitating the process at the state level.
“The process is open to foreigners who have legally resided in Nigeria for at least 15 years, maintained clean records, and shown demonstrable investment interest in the country,” he said.
Of the 116 applications received over the past year, 63 were screened for eligibility. Final decisions are made by the Federal Ministry of Interior following a thorough vetting process that prioritises national interest.
Layode noted that a multi-agency subcommittee handles the evaluation, including the Nigerian Immigration Service, Department of State Security (DSS), Nigerian Police, Ministry of Justice, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), and the Office of Civic Engagement.
“There is a pre-meeting stage where submitted documents are verified and character assessments are carried out to ensure that applicants are of good standing,” he added.
He also addressed provisions for special immigrant status, which allows permanent residency for foreign nationals married to Nigerian citizens, subject to meeting all legal requirements.
This initiative, he said, aligns with broader national goals to integrate law-abiding immigrants, attract investment, and enrich Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.
Layode emphasised Lagos’s role as a key partner in implementing these integration efforts, describing the state as a hub for global migration and a leader in transparent citizenship pathways.
He also highlighted Lagos’s enduring legacy of religious harmony, noting its success in fostering peaceful coexistence between Christian and Muslim communities.
“The core mandate of the ministry is to strengthen harmonious relations among faith-based organisations,” Layode stated.
116 Foreign Nationals Applied For Nigerian Citizenship In 12 Months – Lagos Govt is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
