The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said that 170 foreigners have applied to become citizens of Nigeria.

He spoke in Abuja at the meeting of the Advisory Committee on Nigerian Citizenship (ACNC), which he chairs. A statement by the ministry’s Assistant Director of Press and Public Relations, Mary Ali, quoted the minister as saying that citizenship of Nigeria is not a right but a privilege that must be earned.

Tunji-Ojo urged the committee to subject all applications to strict scrutiny.

“Anyone who holds the citizenship of our great country must be a person of strong character and impeccable integrity,” he said.

He said the Federal Government, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, will not compromise national integrity and security in the process.

The minister warned that clandestine means of acquiring citizenship will not be tolerated.

“Legal migration remains the only acceptable path. Anyone posing security risks or relying on false pretences will be rejected,” he added.

Tunji-Ojo described Nigeria as “the greatest asset to its citizens” and called on all institutions involved to guard the sanctity of the process.

The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice, the State Security Service (SSS), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and Directors of Citizenship and Business and Legal Services.