The Federal Government has begun reviewing 170 applications from foreign nationals seeking Nigerian citizenship, warning that only individuals of “strong character and impeccable integrity” will qualify.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this in Abuja after chairing a meeting of the Citizenship Advisory Committee, which vets all applications before forwarding recommendations to President Bola Tinubu for final approval.
He stressed that the privilege of belonging to Africa’s most populous nation would not be granted lightly. “Anyone who holds the citizenship of our great country must be a person of strong character and impeccable integrity, reflecting the true values of Nigeria,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
The minister added that the applications would undergo rigorous screening by a high-level panel comprising representatives from the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to building a nation that inspires both local and international confidence. “We are doing everything possible to make Nigeria a prosperous nation and a destination of interest for all,” he said.
Meanwhile, 153 Nigerian returnees from Chad have been received in Lagos under the Assisted Voluntary Return Programme facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Federal Government.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Sunday, October 27, 2025, aboard an ASKY Airlines flight. They included 105 adults, 45 children, and three infants.
NEMA said immigration officials conducted biometric registration and documentation on arrival to ensure proper profiling. The agency added that the returnees received immediate humanitarian support, including food, water, medical care, logistics, and counselling, to help their reintegration.
