Acquiring citizenship and Indigenous Language

1. Patterns of Citizenship Acquisition;

Patterns of Citizenship Acquisition;

What is Citizenship?

Citizenship refers to the legal status of an individual as a member of a particular country, granting them rights, privileges, and responsibilities. A citizen owes allegiance to the state and, in return, enjoys protection and rights under the nation’s constitution.

Patterns of Citizenship Acquisition

Citizenship can be acquired through different means, depending on the laws of a country. The common ways of acquiring citizenship  include:

1. By Birth (Jus Soli and Jus Sanguinis)

• Jus Soli (Right of the Soil): A person is granted citizenship if they are born within the country’s territory, regardless of the nationality of their parents. Some countries that practice this include the United States, Canada,

• Jus Sanguinis (Right of Blood): Citizenship is determined by the nationality of one or both parents, regardless of the place of birth. Nigeria practices this form of citizenship.

2. By Registration

• A person can acquire citizenship by registering with the authorities of a country, usually under special conditions, such as being married to a citizen or having resided in the country for a specified period.

3. By Naturalization

• A foreigner can become a citizen after meeting certain conditions such as a long period of residency, ability to speak the national language, and good conduct.

4. By Marriage

• Some countries grant citizenship to foreigners who marry a citizen of that country, provided they fulfill certain conditions.

5. By Adoption

• A child adopted by citizens of a country may automatically become a citizen of that country.

6. By Honorary Citizenship

• Some nations grant citizenship as an honor to distinguished individuals who have contributed significantly to the development of the country.

7. By Dual or Multiple Citizenship

• Some countries allow individuals to hold citizenship of more than one country at the same time. However, in Nigeria, dual citizenship is only allowed for citizens by birth.It is common with women because of marriage.

The Nigeria Situation 

In Nigeria there are three ways in which citizenship is acquired .They are:

citizenship by birth;

citizenship by registration; and

citizenship by naturalisation.

Citizenship by birth

Section 25 of the Nigerian Constitution[3] explains in detail those individuals who are eligible for Nigerian citizenship under this category. People eligible for citizenship under this category are:

Individuals that are born in the territory of Nigeria after 1 October 1960 that have at least a parent or grandparent who belongs or belonged to a community indigenous to the geographical location known as Nigeria. Communities indigenous to Nigeria include Yoruba, Hausa/Fulani, Igbo, Kanuri, Erik, Urhobo, Kanuri, Erik, Ibibio, Itshekiri and many others. This subsection lays emphasis on the word ‘indigenous’ to Nigeria, which means that you must have blood ties to Nigeria.

Individuals born outside of Nigeria whose parents or grandparents were or are citizens of Nigeria are eligible to apply for citizenship of Nigeria by birth. This subsection deals with citizenship by birth via descent.

It is important to note that under this section it is impossible for a person to claim Nigerian citizenship by birth if none of their parents nor grandparents were born in Nigeria. You must have blood ties in order to be a Nigerian citizen by birth.

Citizenship by registration

This category of citizenship is covered under Section 26 of the Nigerian Constitution. An individual could be issued a certificate of citizenship of Nigeria if they satisfy all of the following conditions:

a)The person is of good character. The candidate requires two persons to testify before this statement; one of them should be a religious minister.

b)The person expresses and shows a clear desire to be resident in the country. This can be done by fulfilling residency requirements necessary to qualify as a citizen.

c) The oath of allegiance to Nigeria, which is provided by Schedule 7 to the Nigerian Constitution, has been administered on the person. The oath of allegiance is administered by a representative of the government in a citizenship ceremony.

The Nigerian Constitution also provides for the following individuals under Section 26(2) of the Constitution to be a Nigerian citizen by registration:

i)A woman who is married to a man from Nigeria. The Constitution does not state the same for a man who is married a woman from Nigeria, due to the patriarchal nature of the society.

ii)Where the individual's grandparents are from Nigeria and the individual has grown to a capacity and approved age. This is strictly for those who are descended from Nigerian grandparents and wish to register themselves as citizens once they have attained the age of consent of 18 years and are not mentally incapacitated.

Citizenship by naturalisation

Another means of citizenship in Nigeria is citizenship by naturalisation. Section 27 of the Constitution makes provision for this, provided certain requirements are met subject to Section 28 of the Constitution. If the person is confident that they meet the following requirements, a written application is then made to the President applying for a certificate of naturalisation. The requirements are as follows:

a)The applicant must be of full age and capacity (aged 18 and above).

b)The person is of good character. A minimum of two people are needed to testify to this statement; one of the parties should be a religious minister. 

c)The person must have shown a clear desire to be resident in the country and the person has to fulfil the residential requirements needed to become a citizen.

d)The person should be capable of contributing to the wellbeing of Nigeria and its citizens­ – for example, the individual is a taxpayer and an actual member of society.

e)The governor of the state of the host community where the person applying for citizenship wants to reside has to confirm the willingness of that community to accept that individual into their fold.

f)The individual has been administered the oath of allegiance prescribed in Schedule 7 to the Constitution.

g) The person must have lived in Nigeria continuously for a period of 15 years preceding the application date. A person who has lived continuously for a duration of 12 months in Nigeria, then over the next 20 years lived in Nigeria intermittently for periods totalling not less than 15 years can also apply if they fulfil the other requirements.

Section 28 of the Constitution makes it clear that a person who intends to acquire Nigerian citizenship by registration or by naturalisation must first renounce citizenship of other countries they may have acquired previously, except citizenship of a country acquired by birth. If a non-Nigerian wishes to be a citizen of Nigeria by registration or naturalisation, they must not retain any previous citizenships unless it was acquired by birth.

The Nigerian Constitution explicitly makes provisions for individuals that want to obtain Nigerian citizenship to do so through a well-laid-out procedure. Acquiring citizenship in Nigeria is less stressful than in other jurisdictions, where the requirements are much stricter and individuals have to go through many rigorous steps and invest a huge amount of money.

It should be noted, however, that the Nigerian Constitution forbids Nigerian citizens by registration and naturalisation to hold citizenship of another country other than their country of birth

2. Civic obligation or duties of a Citizen

Civic obligation or duties of a Citizen

Civic responsibilities are duties that every citizen is expected to perform for the progress and development of their country. These include:

1. Obedience to Laws – Citizens must obey the laws of the land to maintain order and peace.As a citizen, you are required to follow the laws of the federal, state, and local government. If you disagree with a law or think public policy could be improved, it’s a great opportunity to get involved and have a voice in your government.

2. Respect for National Symbols – Such as the national anthem, pledge, and flag.Also respect for the currency 

3. Payment of Taxes -Paying taxes helps the government provide public services.You are required to pay taxes as a citizen. There are many different types of taxes that you pay depending on where you live. This revenue goes to the different levels of government so the government can protect you and provide services.

4. Participation in Elections – Citizens have the duty to vote and be involved in governance.Registering to vote and voting in elections is an extremely important part of being an engaged citizen. It is an easy way to be involved in how your government is run and who represents you. Voting is an important right of any citizen and we should not take that right for granted.

5. Defending the Nation -In times of war or national emergency, citizens may be required to defend their country.It is an act of patriotism to defend one’s country.Also serving as an informant or whistle blowers to alert the government of impending attacks or danger to the public.

6. Respect for Other Citizens’s Rights – Every citizen should respect the rights and freedoms of others. You can also be an engaged citizen as an individual, but encouraging your friends, family, and members of your community to be involved is another important aspect of being a responsible citizen.

7. Engagement in Community Service  Volunteering and contributing to community development projects.Serving your community is an important part of being a citizen. Each of us is unique and can offer our talents and skills to better serve the communities we live in.

8) Being informed: Staying aware of current events and knowing what is going on in the community around you is a crucial part of being an engaged citizen. Whether it is watching the news, researching candidates, or reading credible internet news sources, being informed gives you the knowledge and tools to be a responsibly engaged citizen

3. Indigenous Languages, Development/Language Family

Indigenous Languages, Usage, and Development in Nigeria

Indigenous languages are native languages spoken by the original inhabitants of a region. In Nigeria, these languages are those spoken by various ethnic groups across the country.Nigeria is a multilingual country with over 500 indigenous languages spoken across different ethnic groups. The major indigenous languages include:

• Hausa (dominant in the North)

• Yoruba (dominant in the South-West)

• Igbo (dominant in the South-East)

• Fulfulde (spoken by the Fulani people)

• Kanuri (spoken in the North-East)

• Ijaw, Tiv, Ibibio, Efik, Nupe, Gwari, and many others

Indigenous languages are used in various aspects of life in Nigeria, these includes :

1.For communication – Most Nigerians use their indigenous languages in daily conversations within families, communities, and markets.

2.For  education – Indigenous languages are used as a medium of instruction at the primary level in some schools, as recommended by the National Policy on Education.

3. For media and entertainment – Many radio and television stations broadcast in indigenous languages, and movies in Nollywood often feature native languages.

4. For religious purposes – Churches and mosques conduct services in indigenous languages to reach a wider audience.

5. Culture and Traditions – Traditional ceremonies, storytelling, Mores ,folktales, and proverbs are usually expressed in indigenous languages.

6. Politics and Governance - Some local government meetings and community gatherings are conducted in native languages.

Development of Indigenous Languages in Nigeria

Despite the widespread use of indigenous languages, many are endangered due to the dominance of English. Several measures can help develop and promote indigenous languages: These include 

1. Inclusion in Education – Schools should implement policies that encourage the teaching of indigenous languages.

2. Language Documentation – More efforts should be made to document and preserve indigenous languages through books, dictionaries, and digital archives.

3. Media Promotion – Increased use of indigenous languages in television, radio, and newspapers can help sustain them.

4. Government Policies – The government should create policies that recognize and promote indigenous languages in governance and public institutions.

5. Technology and Social Media – Indigenous languages should be incorporated into digital platforms, mobile applications, and online content to engage young people.

6. Translation of Official Documents – Important legal and governmental documents should be translated into major indigenous languages for wider accessibility.

7. Cultural Festivals and Events – Encouraging the use of indigenous languages in festivals, poetry, and drama can keep them alive.

Challenges Facing Indigenous Languages in Nigeria.The development and usage of indigenous languages is faced with the following challenges 

1. Dominance of English – English is the official language of lingual franca  of Nigeria, which overshadows indigenous languages.

2. Lack of Standardization – Many indigenous languages do not have written scripts or formal grammar rules.

3. Neglect in Schools – Many schools prioritize English over native languages.

4. Urbanization and Globalization – Exposure to Western culture and foreign languages leads to the decline of indigenous language use.

5. Parental Influence – Some parents prefer their children to speak only English, reducing the transmission of indigenous languages to the next generation. Indigenous languages are an essential part of Nigeria’s cultural identity. To preserve them, there must be continuous efforts by individuals, educational institutions, the media, and the government. If well-developed, indigenous languages can strengthen national unity, improve education, and promote cultural heritage.

Types of Language Families

A language family is a group of languages that share a common ancestral language. Linguists classify languages into families based on similarities in vocabulary, grammar, and phonetics. The major language families in the world include:

1. Afro-Asiatic Language Family – Spoken mainly in North Africa and parts of the Middle East.

 2. Niger-Congo Language Family – The largest language family in Africa, covering most of Sub-Saharan Africa.

3. Nilo-Saharan Language Family – Spoken in parts of Central and Eastern Africa.

4. Khoisan Language Family – Spoken by the indigenous people of Southern Africa.

5. Indo-European Language Family – Includes English, French, Spanish, and other European languages.

Classification of Nigerian Languages under Various Language Families

Nigeria is home to over 500 indigenous languages, classified into three major language families:

Afro-AsiaticLanguage Family

Includes languages spoken in Northern Nigeria, primarily by the Hausa-Fulani people.

• Examples are

• Hausa

• Kanuri

• Bade

• Margi

2. Niger-Congo Language Family

• The largest language family in Nigeria, covering most of the Southern and Central parts of the country.

• Subdivided into the Benue-Congo subgroup, which includes the major Nigerian languages.

• Examples:

• Yoruba (Southwest)

• Igbo (Southeast)

• Tiv (Central Nigeria)

• Idoma (Middle Belt)

• Edo (South-South)

• Efik and Ibibio (South-South)

3. Nilo-Saharan Language Family

• Found in some parts of the North, especially among smaller ethnic groups.

• Examples:

• Kanuri (Borno State)

• Bura

• Bade

Nigeria’s languages are diverse and belong to different language families, with the Niger-Congo family being the most dominant. Understanding these classifications helps in language development, preservation, and cultural identity. Efforts should be made to promote indigenous languages in education, media, and governance to prevent language extinction.