Citizenship

The Meaning of Citizenship

This is the state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen. It can also be defined as the character of an individual viewed as a member of society; behavior in terms of the duties, obligations, and functions of a citizen. That is to say, it is the fact or status of being a citizen of a particular place or the qualities that a person is expected to have as a responsible member of a community.

The Methods of Acquiring Citizenship

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) provides for three principal ways by which Nigerian Citizenship can be acquired. These three principal ways are:

(a) Citizenship by Birth;

(b) Citizenship by Registration; and

(c) Citizenship by Naturalization.

(a) Citizenship by Birth: Any person, either of whose parents or grandparents was or were born in Nigeria to parents who belong to a community indigenous to Nigeria, is/are entitled to automatic Nigerian Citizenship.

(b) Citizenship by Registration: Persons who are not citizens of Nigeria by birth, but any of whose grandparents is a citizen of Nigeria, or who is or has been married to a Nigerian citizen, may apply to the President of Nigeria for registration as a citizen of Nigeria where there is evidence that such an applicant is a person of good character, and he or her has demonstrated a clear intention to be domiciled in Nigeria. It is a further fundamental requirement that the applicant must take an oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

(c) Citizenship by Naturalization: Any person who is of full age, capacity, and good character, and who has lived in Nigeria for a continuous period of fifteen (15) years or has in the last twenty (20) years lived in Nigeria for a cumulative period of fifteen (15) years, and who, in the opinion of the Executive Governor of the State where he or she is living, demonstrated that he has assimilated to the Nigerian way of life, is eligible to apply to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the grant of a Certificate of Naturalisation. A Certificate of Naturalisation will however only be granted on the fulfilment of the above conditions precedent, and the taking of the oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

(d) Dual Citizenship: Any person, who is not a citizen of Nigeria by birth, shall forfeit his or her Nigerian Citizenship, if he or she acquires or retains citizenship of another nationality other than that of Nigeria, of which he is not a citizen by birth. Any grant of Nigerian citizenship by registration or naturalisation shall, subject to such an applicant not being a citizen by birth of another country, be conditional upon the effective renunciation of the citizenship or nationality of that other country within a period of not more than twelve (12) months from the date of such registration or the grant of Nigerian citizenship.

(e) Citizenship by Conferment/Honour: An honourary citizen is one on whom the citizenship of another country is conferred as a mark of honour or outstanding qualities. E.g. heads of state sometime acquire this type of citizenship.

(f) Citizenship by Conquest: If a country is able to conquer another during war, the citizen of the conquered country becomes the citizen of the victorious state.

Renunciation of Nigerian Citizenship

A citizen of Nigeria, who is of full age and intends to renounce his Nigerian citizenship, shall make a renunciation declaration to the Nigerian authorities. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall cause such a renunciation declaration to be registered and such Applicant shall cease to be a Nigerian citizen subject to such declaration not been contrary to public policy, or Nigeria not being physically involved in war.

Deprivation of Citizenship

Any person, who is not a Nigerian citizen by birth, may be deprived of his Nigerian citizenship if such a person has, within a period of seven (7) years after becoming naturalised, been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than three (3) years.

A person who is not a Nigerian citizen by birth, may also be deprived of his Nigerian citizenship if the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is satisfied from a judicial record that such a person has shown himself, by any act or speech, to be disloyal towards the Federal Republic of Nigeria; or has during any war in which Nigeria is engaged, unlawfully traded with, or assisted, or inimically communicated with an enemy of Nigeria to the detriment of or with the intent to cause damage to the interest of Nigeria.

The Fundamental Rights of Citizens

Rights are legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement; that is, rights are the fundamental normative rules about what is allowed of people or owed to people, according to some legal system, social convention, or ethical theory.

The National Human Rights Commission was established by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Act, 1995, as amended by the NHRC Act, 2010, in line with the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly which enjoins all member States to establish national human rights institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights.  The Commission serves as an extra-judicial mechanism for the enhancement of the enjoyment of human rights.  Its establishment is aimed at creating an enabling environment for the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights.  It also provides avenues for public enlightenment, research and dialogue in order to raise awareness on human rights issues.

The fundamental rights of every Nigerian are clearly stated in the constitution, yet as a result of ignorance many Nigerians have their human rights trampled upon.

For every Nigerian, according to the constitution, there are fundamental human rights which are:

1. Right to life
2. Right to freedom from torture, inhuman or degrading punishment
3. Right to freedom of movement
4. Right to freedom of dignity of human person
5. Right to freedom from discrimination on the ground of sex, race or tribe, creed or political opinion and association
6. Right to fair and equal hearing
7. Right to private and family life
8. Right to freedom of expression and the press
9. Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
10. Right to peaceful assembly and association
11. Right to freedom from slavery and forced labour
12. Right to freedom from unlawful imprisonment
13. Right to ownership of property
14. Right to vote and be voted for in any given election
15. Right to education
16. Right to work and receive commensurate compensation
17. Right to hold public office

The Human Rights Day is celebrated in Nigeria on the 14th December, every year.

The Duties and Obligations of Citizens

Duties are things that all citizens are expected to do because they morally and legally right and justified by government. Obligations on the other hand is closely linked to duties.

Besides the rights individual enjoys as a citizen of a state, he also has some duties and obligations. This can be summarized as follows:

1. Law abiding: all citizens must obey all the rules and regulations of the society where he is living.
2. Every qualified citizen should vote during election.
3. Loyalty: citizens owes loyalty to the government and to the community where he is living.
4. Protection of public properties: A good citizen should always take good care of public properties.
5. Service to the state: A good citizen should serve the state in any capacity when called upon to do so.
6. A good citizen must pay his tax as they become due.
7. Assisting the law enforcement agencies: It is the duty of all responsible citizens to assist the law enforcement agencies in reducing crime rate in the country by reporting known criminal cases to the agencies.
8. Defense of the country: A citizen should be prepared to defend his country when it is threatened.
9. Respect for national flag and anthem of his country.

The Differences between a Citizen and a Non-Citizen

1. The rights of a citizen are irrevocable, while those of a non-citizen could be revoked at any time.
2. A citizen can vote and be voted for while non-citizen do not have the right to vote.
3. A citizen has full legal rights, while the legal rights of a non-citizen are limited
4. A citizen can hold any public office while non-citizen cannot hold any public office.
5. A citizen may do any job while a non-citizen is excluded from certain jobs due to security reasons.
6. A citizen owes allegiance to the country while a non-citizen does not.
7. A non-citizen can be deported if the need arises, while a citizen cannot be deported under any circumstances.
8. The right to peaceful assembly and association by a citizen is unqualified, while that of a non-citizen is qualified.
9. The rights of a citizen are defined in a countries constitution, while the rights and duties of a non-citizen are derived from hospitality of the host country and immigration laws.
10. A citizen may be compelled to join the armed forces in defense of the country, a non-citizen is disqualified from joining unless may be as an adviser or a mercenary.

EVALUATION

1. Who is a citizen?
2. Highlight the types of citizenship
3. Differentiate between a citizen and a non-citizen