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Question

Difficulty: MediumCitizenship: Acquisition, Renunciation, and Deprivation

Under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a foreign individual seeking Nigerian citizenship through naturalization must meet specific legal prerequisites. Which of the following conditions is required for acquisition of citizenship by naturalization but is NOT required for citizenship by registration?

  1. Continuous residence in Nigeria for a period of at least fifteen yearsAnswer
  2. B
    Demonstration of good character to the satisfaction of the President
  3. C
    Subscribing to the Oath of Allegiance prescribed in the Seventh Schedule
  4. D
    Showing a clear intention of desire to be domiciled in Nigeria

Answer

Continuous residence in Nigeria for a period of at least fifteen years
Under Section 27(2)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, an applicant for citizenship by naturalization must satisfy the President that they have resided in Nigeria for a continuous period of 15 years immediately preceding the application date (or an aggregate of 15 years out of 20 years). This requirement does not apply to applicants for citizenship by registration under Section 26.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the constitutional requirements for citizenship by registration under Section 26 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
Section 26 requires that an applicant (such as a foreign woman married to a Nigerian citizen) be of good character, show a clear intention to be domiciled in Nigeria, and take the Oath of Allegiance.
This establishes the qualification criteria for citizenship by registration.
2
Examine the constitutional requirements for citizenship by naturalization under Section 27 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
Section 27 requires full age and capacity, good character, intention to domicile, local community assimilation, taking the Oath of Allegiance, and continuous residence in Nigeria for at least 15 years immediately preceding the application.
This identifies the additional spatial and temporal conditions imposed on naturalization applicants.
3
Compare the requirements of both modes to identify the distinct requirement exclusive to naturalization.
The 15-year continuous residency requirement is mandated only for naturalization and is absent from Section 26 governing registration.
Citizenship by registration relies on marriage or ancestry links rather than extended long-term residency.

Key Concept

Constitutional criteria distinguishing citizenship by registration from citizenship by naturalization
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Topics

Citizenship: Acquisition, Renunciation, and Deprivation