Reps consider bill to let woman confer citizenship on foreign husband

The House of Representatives is deliberating a bill aimed at granting citizenship to foreigners married to Nigerian women.

Sponsored by Akin Alabi, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing Egbeda federal constituency, the bill seeks to amend Section 26 of the 1999 Constitution, which currently governs citizenship by registration.

Under the existing law, Section 26(2)(a) grants citizenship rights only to women married to Nigerian men. The proposed amendment aims to make this provision gender-neutral by replacing the word “woman” with “person,” allowing both genders equal opportunities to confer citizenship on their foreign spouses.

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Key Conditions for Citizenship by Registration

To be eligible under Section 26(1) of the constitution, the applicant must:
• Be of good character;
• Intend to reside in Nigeria; and
• Take the prescribed oath of allegiance.

Reserved Seats for Women

In a separate development, a bill seeking to create reserved seats for women in the national and state assemblies also passed its second reading.

Sponsored by Kafilat Ogbara, a lawmaker from Lagos state, the bill is part of ongoing efforts to increase female representation in Nigeria’s legislative bodies.