ABUJA/Nigeria: The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step toward embracing people of African descent across the globe, as a bill sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko seeking to establish a legal framework for granting Nigerian citizenship to African descendants in the diaspora scaled its first reading on Wednesday.
The bill, titled African Descendants Citizens Application, was introduced during plenary and received unanimous support as it passed through the crucial first legislative hurdle. It is aimed at reconnecting people of African heritage—particularly those whose ancestors were displaced through slavery and colonialism—with the Nigerian state through a structured path to citizenship.
Senator Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District, has long advocated for policies that foster pan-African unity and promote Nigeria’s leadership role on the continent and in the global African community. According to the Senator, the bill is designed to affirm Nigeria’s moral responsibility to embrace the descendants of Africa who are eager to return and contribute to the nation’s social, cultural, and economic development.
“The African diaspora has made significant contributions globally, and many seek to reconnect with the land of their ancestors. Nigeria, as the largest Black nation in the world, must provide leadership by opening its arms to those seeking to return,” Senator Nwoko said in a statement after the session.
With the bill now slated for second reading, the Senate will soon begin in-depth debates on its provisions, including eligibility criteria, application procedures, and the rights and obligations of individuals granted citizenship under the new framework. If passed into law, it could place Nigeria at the forefront of efforts to reunite the global African family and stimulate transnational investments, tourism, and cultural exchange.
Observers believe the legislation aligns with the African Union’s vision of strengthening ties between Africa and its diaspora and could position Nigeria as a leading destination for people of African descent seeking dual identity and deeper cultural belonging.
