Introduction
Citizenship refers to the legal status of being a recognized member of a state, granting specific rights and responsibilities. Understanding how citizenship can be acquired is vital for comprehending state membership and legal identity.
Key Concepts
1. Citizenship by Birth (Jus Soli & Jus Sanguinis)
- Jus Soli (Right of the Soil): Citizenship granted based on birth within a country’s territory.
- Jus Sanguinis (Right of Blood): Citizenship passed down through one or both citizen parents, regardless of birthplace.
Most countries use a combination of both principles.
2. Citizenship by Descent
A form of jus sanguinis where citizenship is inherited from parents or even grandparents, depending on legal provisions.
3. Citizenship by Naturalization
A legal process where non-citizens become citizens after meeting conditions like:
- Minimum residency period
- Demonstration of good character
- Language or cultural knowledge
- Oath of allegiance
4. Citizenship by Registration or Marriage
Foreign spouses of citizens—or other eligible persons—can acquire citizenship through a simplified registration process.
5. Honorary or Conferment Citizenship
A symbolic status awarded to distinguished individuals for contributions to a country. It may or may not provide full legal rights.
6. Other Legal Routes
- Foundlings: Found children without known parents may be granted citizenship.
- Adoption: Adopted children can acquire citizenship if adopted by citizens.
- Conquest: Territorial changes may grant citizenship to residents of newly incorporated areas.
7. Dual or Multiple Citizenship
Some countries permit individuals to hold citizenship in more than one nation simultaneously.
Study Tips
- Understand the difference between citizenship obtained at birth versus acquired through processes later in life.
- Remember special categories like adoption, foundlings, or honorary citizenship.
- Think about how these methods apply in different scenarios, such as marriage or long-term residence.
- Use the questions below to test your understanding and study effectively.
THEORY
1. Explain how a naturalized citizen could forfeit his acquired citizenship
2. (a) Highlight three methods of acquiring citizenship.
(b) Outline two conditions an alien must satisfy before becoming a citizen of another country.
3. Who is a citizen?
OBJECTIVES
1. A Nigerian citizen can only be deprived of his citizenship if he is
A. condemned to death.
B. convicted by a court of law.
C. married to a foreigner.
D. holding a dual citizenship.
2. Citizenship may be changed by
A. renunciation.
B. birth.
C. divorce.
D. conviction.
3. Citizenship can be acquired by
A. nationalism.
B. naturalization.
C. indigenization.
D. collectivism.
4. An alien could become a legal member of a state by
A. migration.
B. employment.
C. naturalization
D. socialization.
5. A Nigerian may lose his citizenship if he
A. is convicted for a criminal offence.
B. renounces it in exchange for another.
C. loses his international passport.
D. is deported from a foreign country.
6. The citizenship of a country may be acquired by an individual through
A. decolonization.
B. naturalization.
C. nationalization.
D. nomination.
7. One can become a citizen of a country through all the following except
A. the granting of political asylum.
B. birth.
C. marriage.
D. naturalization.
8. A citizen is an individual who
A. has the legal and political rights in a country.
B. has lived in a country for sometime.
C. enjoys only economic rights.
D. enjoys immunity in the country.
9. Which of the following is a condition for granting citizenship to a foreigner?
A. Swearing an oath of allegiance.
B. Possession of a university degree.
C. registered member of a political party.
D. Possession of an international passport.
10. Citizenship can be acquired through all of the following methods except
A. birth.
B. nationalization.
C. naturalization.
D. marriage.
11. The conferment of citizenship on a distinguished personality of another country is called
A. citizenship by birth.
B. honorary citizenship.
C. adoption.
D. citizenship by registration.
12. An alien who has lived in Nigeria for twenty years may acquire citizenship by
A. nationalization.
B. naturalization.
C. registration.
D. marriage.
13. Citizenship can be acquired through
A. renouncement.
B. repudiation.
C. birth.
D. reference.
14. Residing in an area for a specified period of years is one of the basic conditions to acquire citizenship
through
A. marriage.
B. honour.
C. naturalization.
D. birth.
15. A foreigner can be a citizen of another state by
A. immigration.
B. naturalization.
C. nationalization.
D. indigenization.
16. Citizenship can be changed through
A. proclamation.
B. residence.
C. renunciation.
D. announcement.
17. Citizenship of a state is based on the following requirements except
A. birth.
B. marriage.
C. education.
D. naturalization.
