Observation

This was a familiar topic to candidates. However, they had problems in answering the question because the way the question was asked was in a different form. The question was an evaluation hence requires the student to make evaluation and comparism. Their performance was below average. Candidates did well in the (a) part of the question as they were able to write on the ways citizenship can be acquired. The B part was more challenging as the answers were not what candidates would ordinarily see in a textbook rather, it requires a level of thinking.

Below are the points expected to have been given by the candidates.

A. Ways by which citizenship can be acquired in Nigeria

• Citizenship by birth/parentage: Nigerian citizenship may be acquired by birth. This type is conferred on any person born within the borders of a country by Nigerian parent(s). Also any child born by Nigerian parent(s) in any other country is recognized as a Nigerian citizen.
• Citizenship by registration: This type of citizenship may be acquired by children or grandchildren of Nigerian parent(s) and spouse(s) of Nigerians who are non-citizens. This is subject to fulfilling constitutional requirements such as willingness to renounce original citizenship, swearing to oath of allegiance to Nigeria, etc.
• Citizenship by naturalization: This is applicable to non Nigerians who want to become citizens of Nigeria. This is subject to meeting constitutional requirements such as absence of criminal records, not constituting security risks to Nigeria, good character, willingness to renounce original citizenship, etc.

B. Differences between any two of the categories of Nigerian citizenship identified in (a) above

        Naturalization and Registration

• Naturalization is applicable to aliens while registration is applicable to aliens having marital or parental relationship with Nigerians.
• The ground for forfeiture of citizenship that is applicable to both varies. For instance, citizenship by registration of married spouse may be forfeited on ground of divorce.

      Birth/parentage and Registration

• Citizens by birth are born in Nigeria or abroad by Nigerian parents whereas registration is applicable to aliens who are related to Nigerians on ground of parentage or marriage.
• Citizens by birth/parentage can never be forfeited whereas citizenship by registration may be forfeited whenever any of the requirements is violated.
• No other special requirement is attached to citizenship by birth/parentage whereas many other requirements are attached to citizenship by registration.
• Citizenship by birth/parentage is automatic and compulsory whereas citizenship by registration is not.

      Birth/parentage and Naturalization

• Citizenship by birth/parentage is applicable to Nigerians whereas citizenship by naturalization is applicable to aliens.
• Citizenship by birth/parentage can never be forfeited or reverted to alien status whereas naturalized citizens can.
• No other special requirement is attached to citizenship by birth/parentage whereas many other requirements are attached to citizenship by naturalization.
• Citizenship by birth/parentage is automatic and compulsory whereas citizenship by Naturalization is not.