Nigeria does not have one yes-or-no rule for every dual citizenship case. The 1999 Constitution distinguishes citizens by birth from people who obtained Nigerian citizenship by registration or naturalisation. The way both nationalities were acquired can therefore change the result.
The practical short answer
A Nigerian citizen by birth is not within the specific forfeiture rule in section 28(1) that applies to a person who is not Nigerian by birth and later acquires another citizenship that was also not held by birth. This is why Nigerian citizens by birth are generally described as able to hold another nationality under Nigerian law.
That statement is not enough for every case. A person who became Nigerian through registration or naturalisation, or who acquired the second nationality in a particular way, needs a category-specific analysis. Renunciation, deprivation, public office, passport use and the law of the other state may raise separate questions.
Identify the Nigerian citizenship category
Chapter III of the Constitution sets out citizenship by birth, registration and naturalisation. Do not decide the category from possession of a passport alone. Establish how citizenship legally arose and collect the record that proves it.
- By birth: analyse section 25 and the relevant parent or grandparent facts and dates.
- By registration: locate the registration certificate and conditions attached to the grant.
- By naturalisation: locate the naturalisation certificate, application history and any renunciation evidence.
Historic family circumstances can be complex. If the conclusion affects a naturalisation application, inheritance, public position or loss of status, obtain advice based on the actual documents.
What section 28 addresses
Section 28(1) provides for forfeiture where a person who is not a Nigerian citizen by birth acquires the citizenship or nationality of another country and was not a citizen of that country by birth. Section 28(2) addresses a person seeking Nigerian registration or naturalisation while already holding another citizenship that was not held by birth, including a renunciation condition.
The wording makes three facts critical: whether Nigerian citizenship is by birth, whether the foreign citizenship is by birth, and when or how each citizenship was acquired. A generic statement that “Nigeria allows dual citizenship” hides those distinctions.
Section 29 separately deals with voluntary renunciation of Nigerian citizenship by an adult and the registration of that declaration. Do not sign or rely on a renunciation document without understanding whether it has taken legal effect and how the other country treats it.
Check the second country’s rules
Permission under Nigerian law does not force another country to permit dual nationality. Some states allow it broadly, some allow it only by birth or in named exceptions, and others require permission or loss of the previous citizenship. Check the current nationality law and official procedure of both countries.
Also separate nationality from immigration residence. Permanent residence, an EU residence card or a long-stay visa is not a second citizenship. Applying for residence abroad does not by itself create a dual-nationality issue.
Dual nationals can face practical rules about which passport to present, consular assistance, military or civic obligations, taxation and eligibility for public roles. These questions are distinct from whether the nationality itself is valid.
Build an evidence file
Create a chronology showing birth, parents’ and grandparents’ status where relevant, Nigerian passport history, registration or naturalisation, foreign nationality and any renunciation. Useful evidence can include:
- long-form birth and marriage certificates;
- Nigerian and foreign passports, including expired copies;
- citizenship, registration or naturalisation certificates;
- parents’ nationality records and evidence connecting name variations;
- official renunciation, retention or confirmation decisions;
- the applicable law and official guidance in force at the relevant date.
A family story or passport copy may point to the answer but may not prove the full legal chain.
Act before naturalising or renouncing
Before voluntarily acquiring another citizenship, ask the other authority whether the application affects Nigerian nationality and whether it demands proof of renunciation. Before renouncing Nigerian citizenship, confirm that the other nationality is secure and that the declaration will be registered through the lawful Nigerian process.
Nigerians by birth travelling on a foreign passport should use current Nigeria Immigration Service entry guidance. The existence of a travel facility does not replace a nationality analysis or automatically authorise employment.
For European family-line research, continue to the European citizenship by descent guide. This article provides general information, not an opinion on an individual’s citizenship status.
Nigeria dual citizenship FAQ
Does Nigeria allow dual citizenship for citizens by birth?
Citizens by birth are outside the specific forfeiture rule in section 28(1), but the second country’s law and other legal consequences still require checking.
Can a naturalised Nigerian acquire another nationality?
Section 28 can create forfeiture consequences for a person who is not Nigerian by birth. Obtain case-specific advice before acting.
Is permanent residence abroad dual citizenship?
No. Residence status permits a person to live in a country but does not itself make that person a citizen.
Do I automatically lose Nigerian citizenship after obtaining a foreign passport?
Not automatically in every situation. The result depends on the Nigerian citizenship category and how the foreign nationality was acquired.
Which documents prove Nigerian citizenship by birth?
The evidence depends on the constitutional basis and family facts. Birth records, parents’ or grandparents’ citizenship evidence and passport history may all be relevant.
Official sources
Immigration rules can change without notice. Check the relevant authority before paying a fee, booking travel or submitting an application.