Eligibility quiz
Is at least one of your grandparents a Nigerian citizen now?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Nigerian passport
An ordinary Nigerian passport is available for five or ten years, depending on the book selected.
An ECOWAS Travel Certificate is also available for travel within ECOWAS.
Nigerian passport holders do not need the foreigner landing or exit card when travelling.
Live in Nigeria for life
Nigerian citizens can live in Nigeria without a visa, residence permit or time limit.
They can also move freely within Nigeria.
Live and work in 12 countries
Study in Nigeria
Nigerian citizens can study in Nigeria as citizens.
Citizenship alone does not make every programme free or guarantee a scholarship.
Work in Nigeria
Nigerian citizens can work and do business in Nigeria without immigration permission as a foreign worker.
Some jobs and professions have their own requirements.
Get help abroad
Nigerian citizens abroad can get help from Nigerian missions, including emergency assistance, legal support and replacement of a lost passport.
They can also register with a mission.
Vote and run for office
Nigerian citizens aged 18 or over can vote in Nigeria if they live or work there, are registered and listed to vote, and have a voter card.
Standing for office has additional requirements.
Use health insurance
Nigerian citizens can get health insurance cover by enrolling and meeting any contribution, employment or other scheme conditions.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your online application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Create a personal citizenship account on the Ministry of Interior eCitiBiz portal, verify your email and log in. Choose citizenship by registration and fill in the online application yourself.
Create your accountComplete the guarantor form
Download the guarantor form through your application and ask your guarantors to complete it. Upload the completed form and your other required documents to the portal.
Find the guarantor formSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I download the guarantor form for Nigerian citizenship by registration on eCitiBiz?”
Pay the fee online
Pay the charges through the eCitiBiz portal using the instructions in your application. Keep your payment records.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay for Nigerian citizenship by registration on eCitiBiz?”
Submit your application
Submit your completed application and uploaded documents through the eCitiBiz portal. Keep your application reference.
Find your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Nigerian citizenship by registration application on eCitiBiz?”
Wait for the decision
Track your application on eCitiBiz and look for a message by email or phone. Send the Ministry any further information or documents it asks for.
Track your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track my Nigerian citizenship by registration application on eCitiBiz?”
Take the oath
If your application is approved, follow the Ministry's instructions to take the Oath of Allegiance. The Ministry will tell you where and how to do this.
Find oath instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the Oath of Allegiance for Nigerian citizenship by registration?”
Get your certificate
Follow the Ministry's instructions to get your citizenship registration certificate. You can then use it when applying for a Nigerian passport.
Find certificate instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get my Nigerian citizenship by registration certificate from the Ministry of Interior?”
Keep your citizenship
Ask the Ministry for a written decision about whether you must give up any other citizenship to keep your Nigerian citizenship. If required, give it up within five months of registration so you can retain your Nigerian citizenship.
Contact the MinistrySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I contact the Nigeria Ministry of Interior about retaining another citizenship after citizenship by registration?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Upload your birth certificate. It should show where you were born.
Grandparent's citizenship records
Upload evidence that your Nigerian grandparent is a Nigerian citizen. Records showing your parent’s or great-grandparent’s Nigerian citizenship can support the evidence about your grandparent.
Marriage certificates *
Upload your marriage certificate. Get a copy from the office that issued it if you do not have one.
* Only if you are married.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Citizenship can be lost
Adults and married women of any age can give up citizenship by declaration; registration may be refused during a war involving Nigeria or for public policy.
Citizens not Nigerian by birth can lose it by acquiring another citizenship not held from birth, or after legal proceedings for disloyalty or helping a wartime enemy.
Naturalised citizens can lose it for a prison sentence of at least three years within seven years of naturalisation.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expats living in nigeria
English Facebook group for people living in Nigeria interested in Nigerian local life
Request to joinForeigners living in Nigeria
English Facebook group for people living in Nigeria interested in Nigerian local life
Join on FacebookNigeria expats
English Facebook group for people living in Nigeria interested in Nigerian local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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