A total of 335 foreign nationals were on Tuesday in Abuja granted citizenship by the Federal Government after statutory clearance and due diligence by the relevant security agencies.‎

‎The Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd), who presented the certificates of citizenship to the foreigners, charged them to be good ambassadors of Nigeria.

Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole, Wife of former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomole‎, who is from Cape Verde, was one of the recipients.

Dambazau in his remarks said 335 applicants were approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in January, out of the over 500 foreigners that applied for Nigerian citizenship.
He explained that 245 applicants were granted Citizenship by‎ Naturalisation while 90 were by Registration.

Many of these were foreign women married to Nigerians.

“Let me say that application for the Citizenship of Nigeria which can be by Naturalisation or Registration is provided for in Chapter 3, Sections 26 and 27 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’’ the minister said.

Danbazau said the approval was part of government’s effort to improve the “Ease of doing business in Nigeria” and boosting Nigeria’s image in line with international best practice.

He tasked the new Nigerian citizens to be of good conduct, respect the rights and customs of their communities and contribute to the development of Nigeria.

Damabazau said the last time such ceremony was conducted was in December 2013 and pledged to ensure its sustenance on annual basis for proper scrutiny.

Dr. Lamabert Shumbusho, from Rwanda, who responded on behalf of the recipients, thanked the federal government and pledged their loyalty and commitment to the development of Nigeria.