Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Director of Diaspora Mobilisation for the PBAT/APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, has said that many foreign nationals are seeking Nigerian passports and expressing interest in remaining in the country.
Dabiri-Erewa’s remarks have drawn attention to growing conversations about Nigeria’s appeal to foreign nationals, including those interested in living, working or establishing long-term connections in the country.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has significant cultural diversity, a large consumer market and an influential entertainment and creative industry. These factors contribute to its international profile and attract visitors, investors and members of the African diaspora.
Interest in Nigerian citizenship and residency, however, involves distinct legal processes. A foreign national’s desire to remain in Nigeria does not automatically confer the right to reside permanently or obtain a Nigerian passport.
Nigerian citizenship is governed by constitutional provisions and applicable immigration laws. Eligibility for citizenship depends on factors such as a person’s circumstances, legal status and the relevant requirements for naturalisation or other recognised routes to citizenship.
A Nigerian passport is an official travel document issued to eligible Nigerian citizens and should not be confused with a residence permit or other immigration authorisation.
Dabiri-Erewa, who chairs the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has been involved in initiatives aimed at strengthening relationships between Nigeria and its citizens living abroad, as well as encouraging diaspora engagement with national development.
Her reported comments have also prompted questions about the country’s international image, its attractiveness to foreign nationals and the opportunities available to people seeking to establish roots in Nigeria.
However, the specific number of foreign nationals seeking Nigerian passports, their countries of origin and the basis for the reported increase were not provided in the information available.
Further clarification would be needed to establish the scale of the interest and whether it reflects a measurable increase in applications for Nigerian citizenship or residency.
The development highlights the distinction between growing interest in Nigeria as a destination and the legal requirements that govern immigration, residence and citizenship.
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