After 4-year suspension, FG grants 335 foreigners citizenship
- The Federal Executive Council has granted citizenship to 335 foreigners and disqualified 165
- Abdulrahman Dambazzau, the minister of interior, said before granting the citizenship, the council approved recommendation of an advisory committee
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, January 11, granted citizenship to 335 foreigners and disqualified 165 others after a 4 year suspension.
Abdulrahman Dambazzau, the minister of interior, revealed this to State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Dambazzau said before granting the citizenship, the council approved recommendation of an advisory committee comprising representatives of the Department of State Services and Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice.
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He firther said the committee had received over 500 applications for citizenship, out of which 335 were recommended.
The minister explained that of those granted, 245 applied for citizenship by naturalisation and 90, by registration.
He noted that in considering all the applications, the committee adhered to relevant provisions of the constitution.
In 2013 the federal government granted Nigerian citizenship to 174 foreigners while the applications of 27 persons were rejected.
The FEC meeting was held yesterday amid reports that the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has concluded investigations on allegations of fraud against some top government officials.
The meeting was held inside the council chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja with vice president Yemi Osinbajo, chief of staff Abba Kyari, Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal and other cabinet members in attendance.