A bill seeking to grant Nigerian citizenship to individuals of foreign nationality by investment scaled second reading on Wednesday at the House of Representatives.

The proposed bill was for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to grant Nigerian citizenship to investors of foreign nationality.

According to the lawmakers, the bill was among the constitutional amendment bills that passed second reading and targeted at providing the acquisition of Nigerian citizenship by qualified foreign investors who meet a specified investment threshold.

The proposed alteration is intended to attract foreign investors willing to invest in the Nigerian economy above a specified threshold or in critical sectors that will boost the economic status of the country.

The proposed law, sponsored Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu and other lawmakers were presented for a second hearing by the House leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere.

Amongst other bills passed for second hearing were : A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to guarantee indigene status to persons by reason of birth or continued residence for a period of not less than 10 years or by reason of marriage and for related matters.

The bill also extended indigene status to women married to men from a different state for at least five years.

Also is a bill on the death penalty law, which proposes to review the punishment for certain capital offences in alignment with international best practices.

The bill read, “The proposed alteration aims to ensure that Nigeria’s criminal justice system reflects global standards of fairness, proportionality, and respect for human rights while maintaining public safety and addressing serious crimes effectively.’’