The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria allows citizenship on four conditions:
1.
Birth,
2.
Descent (Parental Heritage),
3.
Registration (Marriage),
4.
Naturalization
If you are a natural born Nigerian citizen or even born to a Nigerian parent(s) abroad, then this piece probably is not for you because citizen is automatically bestowed on you.
If you do not fulfill the aforementioned criteria though, then you would probably be seeking Nigerian citizenship through registration or naturalization and to that effect, the constitution lays out the process.
This kind of citizenship is typically for individuals who are foreigners married to Nigerians, persons aged 17 or younger who have Nigerian grandparents and minors of foreign birth who are adopted by Nigerian parents. If you fall into this category, the constitution stipulates through Section 26;
1) Subject to the provisions of section
28 of this Constitution, a person to whom the provisions of this section apply
may be registered as a citizen of Nigeria, if the President is satisfied that –
(a) He is a person of good character;
two people to testify to that which one should a Religious minister
(b) He has shown a clear intention of
his desire to be domiciled in Nigeria; and
(c) He has taken the Oath of Allegiance
prescribed in the Seventh Schedule to this Constitution.
(2) The provisions of this section shall apply to –
Any woman who is or has been married to a citizen of Nigeria or every person of full age and capacity born outside Nigeria any of whose grandparents is a citizen of Nigeria.
Section 27 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic allows for an individual to become a naturalised citizen through the following processes:
(1) Subject to the provisions of
section 28 of this Constitution, any person who is qualified in accordance with
the provisions of this section may apply to the President for the same of a
certificate of naturalisation.
(2) No person shall be qualified to
apply for the grant of a certificate or naturalisation, unless he satisfies the
President that –
(a) He is a person of full age and
capacity;
(b) He is a person of good character
(c) He has shown a clear intention of
his desire to be domiciled in Nigeria;
(d) He is, in the opinion of the
Governor of the State where he is or he proposes to be resident, acceptable to
the local community in which he is to live permanently, and has been
assimilated into the way of life of Nigerians in that part of the Federation;
(e) He is a person who has made or is
capable of making useful contribution to the advancement; progress and
well-being of Nigeria;
(f) He has taken the Oath of Allegiance
prescribed in the Seventh Schedule to this Constitution; and
(g) He has, immediately preceding the date of his application, either- (i) Resided in Nigeria for a continuous period of fifteen years; or (ii) Resided in Nigeria continuously for a period of twelve months, and during the period of twenty years immediately preceding that period of twelve months has resided in Nigeria for periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than fifteen years.
Required Documents
Once you confirm you are eligible for Nigerian citizenship:
Sources:
Legit NG
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999)