Nigeria: Whether Nigerian citizenship can be regained after renunciation, including requirements and procedures (2012-May 2013)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Publication Date | 30 May 2013 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | NGA104461.F |
| Related Document(s) | Nigéria : information indiquant si une personne peut récupérer la citoyenneté nigériane après y avoir renoncé, y compris les exigences et la marche à suivre (2012-mai 2013) |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria: Whether Nigerian citizenship can be regained after renunciation, including requirements and procedures (2012-May 2013), 30 May 2013, NGA104461.F, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52a828424.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, an official at the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Ottawa stated that it was possible for someone who was a Nigerian citizen, but renounced that citizenship in order to obtain a foreign citizenship, to get their Nigerian citizenship reinstated (27 May 2013). He said that they would need to go to the Ministry of Interior, if in Nigeria; if outside Nigeria, they would need to see an Immigration Officer at a Nigerian embassy or consulate (Nigeria 27 May 2013). He explained that they would need to show proof of initial citizenship, such as their birth certificate, school certificates or other relevant documents (ibid.). He noted that citizenship is not automatically reinstated, but is at the discretion of the immigration officer (ibid.). He also explained that since Nigeria allows for dual citizenship, it is not common for someone to ask for the reinstatement of Nigerian citizenship (ibid.).
Legislation or guidelines regarding reinstatement of Nigerian citizenship could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Reference
Nigeria. 27 May 2013. High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Ottawa. Telephone interview of an official.
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Attempts to contact representatives of the following organizations were unsuccessful: Nigerian Bar Association, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Washington, DC, Consulate General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Consulate General of Nigeria in New York.
Internet sites, including ecoi.net; Factiva; multiplecitizenship.com; Nigeria - Constitution, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Washington, DC, Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior; Nigerian Bar Association; United States - Department of State.
