Citizenship by Descent (Section 25 & 26)

Your eligibility depends on which generation of your family held Nigerian citizenship and where you were born.

1. Citizenship by Birth (Section 25)

You are automatically considered a Nigerian citizen by birth—regardless of where you were born—if:

• Parental Link: At least one of your parents is a citizen of Nigeria.
• Grandparental Link (Pre-Independence): You were born in Nigeria before October 1, 1960, and your parents or grandparents belonged to a community indigenous to Nigeria.
• Grandparental Link (Post-Independence): You were born in Nigeria after October 1, 1960, and at least one of your parents or grandparents is a citizen of Nigeria.

2. Citizenship by Registration (Section 26)

If you do not qualify "by birth" (for example, if only your grandparent was Nigerian and you were born abroad), you may apply for citizenship by registration. To qualify, you must:

• Be of full age and capacity (18 years or older).
• Demonstrate a clear intention to be domiciled (permanently reside) in Nigeria.
• Be of good character as determined by the government.
• Be willing to take the Oath of Allegiance to Nigeria.

Dual Citizenship

• Citizens by Birth: You are constitutionally permitted to hold dual citizenship. You do not lose your Nigerian status if you acquire another nationality.
• Citizens by Registration: If you become a Nigerian citizen through registration, you generally cannot hold another citizenship unless that other citizenship was also acquired by birth.