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Pathway

Nigerian Citizenship by Marriage Registration

Nigeria Citizenship

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At a glance

Nigeria's citizenship-by-registration rule includes a woman who is or has been married to a Nigerian citizen. The rule is gendered in the constitutional text and also requires good character, intention to be domiciled in Nigeria, and the oath of allegiance.

Type
Citizenship by registration through marriage
Relationship fit
Woman currently or formerly married to a Nigerian citizen
Core requirements
Good character, domicile intention, oath, marriage records, and spouse citizenship proof
What to know
The statutory text is gendered and approval is not automatic

Summary

Nigeria's citizenship-by-registration rule includes a woman who is or has been married to a Nigerian citizen. The constitutional text is gendered, so this pathway is modeled narrowly rather than as a general citizenship-by-marriage rule for all spouses.

Who qualifies

The strongest case usually involves:

What to know

Marriage to a Nigerian citizen does not automatically confer citizenship. This is a registration application, and the President must be satisfied that the constitutional requirements are met.

Non-Nigerian spouses who want residence instead of citizenship may fit Nigeria's Special Immigrant Status pathway.

Records to gather

Expect to gather:

Sources