The Federal Government has begun reviewing 170 applications from foreign nationals seeking Nigerian citizenship, with officials insisting that only individuals of “strong character and impeccable integrity” will be approved.
Gatekeepers News reports that Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this in Abuja after presiding over a meeting of the Citizenship Advisory Committee (CAC) — the body responsible for assessing and recommending citizenship requests to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for final approval.
“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.
He emphasised that citizenship of the world’s largest Black nation “is not for everyone,” noting that each application will undergo rigorous scrutiny by a panel comprising representatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The minister said the Tinubu administration is committed to building a nation that inspires pride, confidence, and trust among citizens and the international community.
“We’re doing everything possible to make our beloved country a prosperous nation and a destination of interest for all,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received 153 Nigerian returnees from Chad under the Assisted Voluntary Return Programme, facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Federal Government.
NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office said in a statement via X on Tuesday that the returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Sunday, October 27, 2025, aboard an ASKY Airlines flight at about 12:15 p.m.
The breakdown included 105 adults (63 males and 42 females), 45 children (25 males and 20 females), and three infants, all female. Upon arrival, officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service conducted biometric registration and documentation to facilitate their reintegration.
NEMA said the returnees received immediate humanitarian assistance, including food, potable water, medical care, counselling, and logistics support. The operation was jointly coordinated with the IOM and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
