Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has said that foreigners from different parts of the world are desirous to become Nigerian citizens.
In September, the federal government had conferred Nigerian citizenship on 286 foreign nationals.
In an interview on Sunday, Aregbesola said the government has been receiving application from far and wide.He said despite the present difficulties in the country, there is limitless potential in Nigeria for everyone.
“The real issue is determination and commitment to self-actualisation. Those who know what they want to do find Nigeria very welcoming and supportive.
“We receive applications from far and wide; there’s no single continent in the world without people desirous to be part of us.
“We are now processing passports of the 286 persons granted Nigerian citizenship in September.
“If you saw them; if you witnessed the enthusiasm of those people who have become part of us, you will be glad that there can be this number of foreigners desirous to be Nigerians.”
The minister clarified that a foreign individual must have lived in Nigeria continuously for at least 15 years before they are eligible to apply for Nigerian citizenship.
“For those that were granted citizenship in September, it took less than three years to process their papers,’’ Aregbesola said.
