The Lagos government says it received applications for Nigerian citizenship by Americans and Europeans on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Home Affairs within two years.

Seventy-four foreigners had applied to become Nigerians during the period through the Lagos government.

The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Anofiu Elegushi, disclosed this in Ikeja on Sunday during the 2021 Ministerial Press Briefing to commemorate the second year in the office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Mr Elegushi disclosed that 35 out of the 74 applications for naturalisation received by the ministry had been screened and recommended to the Federal Ministry of Interior for approval.

He explained that the ministry received naturalisation applications from Lebanese, Americans, Europeans, among others.

According to the commissioner, Lagos is also in partnership with foreign business owners who intend to acquire citizenship via naturalisation.

According to him, with the partnership of naturalisation and special immigrant status, Nigeria, especially Lagos, stands to benefit from foreign direct investment.

“The immigrant business owners also benefit by growing their businesses in one of the biggest markets in the world.

“Application for naturalisation and special immigrant status is a major mandate of the Ministry of Home Affairs. As a national matter, it is mainly regulated by the domestic laws of sovereign nations,” said Mr Elegushi.

The commissioner explaining the benefits of the exercise stated, “The objective of the exercise is to grant the right of citizenship to foreigners who have lived in the country continuously for a period of 15 years and above with investment interests.

“Special immigrant status is also a means of granting permanent residency to a foreign national who marries a Nigerian citizen.”

(NAN)