Eligibility quiz
Is one of your parents a citizen of Nigeria?
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
Fill in the application
If you qualify, you are already a Nigerian citizen by birth; this application is for confirmation. From Nigeria or abroad, create a personal citizenship account with your email and phone number, then sign in and fill in the Citizenship by Confirmation application.
Start your applicationGather your documents
Prepare the documents the citizenship portal asks for.
See required documentsSubmit your application
Upload the requested documents, review the declaration and submit your application through the portal. Pay any fee the portal asks for, following its instructions.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit and pay for a Nigerian citizenship by confirmation application online?”
Wait for the decision
Check your application status in the portal and look for a decision by email or phone. If approved, you can apply for a Nigerian passport using the proof of citizenship the passport service asks for.
Check your application statusSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check the status of my Nigerian citizenship by confirmation application?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth records
Your birth record should show your date and place of birth and your link to your Nigerian parent. If you were born in Nigeria before 1 October 1960, you also need evidence that a parent or grandparent was born in Nigeria. The Ministry has not published a document checklist, so check the portal for the birth and family records it asks for.
Parent's citizenship records *
You need evidence that your Nigerian parent is a Nigerian citizen. Check the portal to see which records it accepts.
* Only if you were born outside Nigeria or in Nigeria on or after 1 October 1960.
Parent's community records *
You need evidence that your parent or grandparent belongs or belonged to a community indigenous to Nigeria. Check the portal to see which records it accepts.
* Only if you were born in Nigeria before 1 October 1960.
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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