A bill sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko seeking to establish a legal pathway for granting Nigerian citizenship to persons of African descent has successfully passed its first reading in the Senate.
Titled the African Descendants Citizenship Application Bill, the proposed legislation aims to provide a structured legal framework for individuals in the African diaspora who wish to reclaim their heritage and forge deeper ties with Nigeria.
The bill was introduced during Wednesday’s plenary session and smoothly scaled through the initial legislative stage.
Further debates and scrutiny are expected in the subsequent readings.
If passed, the bill would open the door for descendants of Africans, especially those in the Americas and the Caribbean, who can trace their lineage to Nigeria, to apply for citizenship under clearly defined guidelines.
Senator Nwoko has long championed pan-African unity and diaspora engagement.
This latest move aligns with growing continental efforts to strengthen connections with Africans in the diaspora and promote cultural reintegration.