By Austin Oyibode
Senator Ned Nwoko, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reparation and Repatriation, has thrown his weight behind a proposed bill that seeks to grant Nigerian citizenship to Afro-descendants with traceable ancestral ties to the country.
The bill was presented to Senator Nwoko earlier this week by a delegation from the African Diasporan Union during a courtesy visit to the National Assembly.
The proposed legislation aims to formally recognize and integrate Afro-descendants as part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to reconnect with its global diaspora and reinforce historical and cultural bonds.
“I assured them of my support while noting the importance of aligning such proposals with our constitutional and legal processes,” Nwoko stated after the meeting.
In his capacity as head of the Senate committee focused on reparation and repatriation, the senator reiterated his commitment to advancing policies that meaningfully impact both Nigerians and the diaspora.
“This initiative represents a vital opportunity to reconnect the African diaspora with their roots and heritage,” he said.
In addition to the citizenship bill, Senator Nwoko also disclosed that he has introduced a separate piece of legislation aimed at securing voting rights for Nigerians residing abroad. The diaspora voting bill is currently under Senate review.
If enacted, both measures would represent landmark strides in Nigeria’s efforts to engage its diaspora community and descendants of the transatlantic slave trade, further positioning the country as a leader in African unity and reintegration.
