Constitution Alteration (Citizenship by Investment) Bill

What Is This Policy?

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2025 — Citizenship by Investment (HB. 2059) is a constitutional alteration Bill that seeks to introduce a new citizenship pathway into the 1999 Constitution, enabling qualifying foreign nationals to acquire Nigerian citizenship in exchange for prescribed levels of direct investment into the Nigerian economy. Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu and six co-sponsors, the Bill was introduced at First Reading on 6 February 2025 as one of a package of five Sixth Alteration Bills presented on the same day. It proposes to amend the citizenship provisions of Chapter III of the Constitution to formally recognise investment as a basis for the grant of Nigerian citizenship, establishing a constitutionally anchored Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme.

Who Does It Target?

High-net-worth foreign nationals and investors seeking Nigerian citizenship or long-term residency in exchange for qualifying capital investment in the Nigerian economy Diaspora Nigerians and foreign nationals with Nigerian heritage or business ties who wish to formalise their connection to Nigeria through a structured investment-linked citizenship pathway Foreign businesses, multinationals, and entrepreneurs seeking a Nigerian base of operations and wishing to regularise their status and rights through citizenship acquisition The Federal Government, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), and the Nigeria Immigration Service, who would administer, regulate, and process Citizenship by Investment applications Nigerian regulators including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), FIRS, and the Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), responsible for verifying investment legitimacy, anti-money laundering compliance, and tax obligations of applicants Key economic sectors targeted for qualifying investment, likely including manufacturing, real estate, agriculture, technology, infrastructure, and government bonds or designated sovereign funds

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Amend Chapter III of the 1999 Constitution to create a fourth pathway to Nigerian citizenship by investment, complementing existing routes by birth, by registration, and by naturalisation Attract significant volumes of foreign direct investment (FDI) into strategic sectors of the Nigerian economy, channelled through a structured, constitutionally backed programme Diversify Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and build foreign reserves by requiring CBI applicants to transfer qualifying investment capital in convertible foreign currency Position Nigeria competitively alongside other jurisdictions offering CBI programmes including Portugal, Malta, the UAE, and Caribbean nations in the global market for mobile capital and high-net-worth individuals Generate recurring government revenue through application fees, due diligence charges, and investment administration proceeds that can be directed toward public infrastructure and development Stimulate job creation and technology transfer by attracting investor-citizens who establish or co-invest in productive enterprises across Nigerian industry, agriculture, and technology sectors

Key Features

Constitutional Alteration: The Bill alters the 1999 Constitution directly the highest form of Nigerian legislation embedding the citizenship by investment framework in Chapter III alongside existing citizenship provisions, thereby giving it supreme legal force and insulating it from ordinary legislative reversal Sixth Alteration Package: HB. 2059 is one of five Sixth Alteration Bills introduced simultaneously on 6 February 2025 by the Deputy Speaker and co-sponsors, reflecting a coordinated constitutional reform agenda covering citizenship, indigeneship, population census, tourism, and the Office of the Accountant-General Investment Threshold: The Bill is expected to prescribe qualifying investment thresholds in specific sectors or instruments such as government bonds, real estate, equity stakes in Nigerian companies, or capital deposits in designated sovereign funds with amounts to be specified in enabling legislation or regulations Eligibility & Due Diligence: Applicants will be subject to robust due diligence requirements including background checks, source-of-funds verification, anti-money laundering screening, and national security clearance, administered by the Nigeria Immigration Service in coordination with relevant agencies Rights of CBI Citizens: Citizens acquiring nationality through the investment pathway are expected to enjoy the same constitutional rights as other Nigerian citizens, subject to any restrictions prescribed by the Constitution or enabling legislation (e.g., eligibility for elective public office) Administrative Framework: Implementation will require enabling legislation setting out the application process, qualifying investment categories, minimum amounts, processing timelines, revocation grounds, and the roles of NIPC, the Immigration Service, CBN, and NFIU

Current Status

Under consideration by the National Assembly. The Constitution Alteration (Citizenship by Investment) Bill is pending review by the National Assembly.

Legal Framework

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) — Sections 25–32 (Citizenship provisions); Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Act, Cap. N117, LFN 2004; Immigration Act, Cap. I1, LFN 2004; Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022; Finance Act 2023; Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act