At least, 17 foreigners, including Italians and Lebanese, are seeking to become citizens of Nigeria.

Fourteen of them have passed the interview conducted by the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture and have been recommended for naturalisation.
The Lagos State Committee on Naturalisation, headed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture, Mrs., Caroline Bello-Aromire, with representatives from the Nigerian Emigration Service, Ministry of Justice and the Nigeria Police, among others, conducted the interview.

It was discovered at the interview that some of the applicants could speak Nigeria’s indigenous languages fluently.

Some of them have lived in the country for over 20 years and had already adapted to the culture and languages of Nigeria.

According to Bello-Aromire, all recommendations made were based on the requirements of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Those recommended met the minimum standard.

She commended the applicants who studied in Nigeria and achieved great success in their academic and business pursuits.

The modalities for recommendation, according to the constitution on naturalisation, includes a foreigner staying in the country for a minimum of 15 years, ability to speak any of the three major languages, contribute to the development of their immediate locality and regular tax payment.


http://thepmnews.com/2008/11/03/17-italians-seek-to-be-nigerians