Report Shows How Many Nigerians Have Gotten US Citizenship by Naturalisation
- Between 2019 and 2023, 47,819 Nigerians became US citizens, with 2022 recording the highest figure of 14,438
- Nigerians ranked among Africa’s top sources of US naturalisations, alongside DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Kenya
- African naturalisations surged 43% (2020–2023), the fastest global growth, with Africans averaging six years as green card holders before citizenship
Between 2019 and 2023, 47,819 Nigerians were naturalised as citizens of the United States, according to the US Department of Homeland Security’s updated Naturalisation Annual Flow Report.
The report, updated in August 2025, was compiled by the Office of Homeland Security Statistics (OHSS).
Source: Getty Images
It draws from Form N-400 applications and the electronic case files used by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
US: Year-by-year breakdown of naturalisations
Data obtained by The Punch shows that 8,930 Nigerians naturalised in 2020, a year when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down oath ceremonies for nearly three months.
In 2021, the figure rose to 10,921 as USCIS cleared backlogs.
By 2022, 14,438 Nigerians were sworn in, the highest on record. However, the number dropped slightly to 13,530 in 2023.
Together, these figures mean Nigerians accounted for about 1.4 per cent of all African naturalisations within that four-year period.
Nigeria among Africa’s top source countries
Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were both listed in the OHSS top 30 source countries. In 2022, DRC’s numbers nearly doubled to 6,000, while other African contributors included Ethiopia, Ghana and Kenya.
The report noted:
“African-born nationals accounted for 11 per cent of all US naturalisations in 2022 and 2023, the highest share on record.”
It added that Africans, along with Asians, naturalised faster than any other region, spending a median of six years as lawful permanent residents before taking the oath.
Surge in African naturalisations
Overall, naturalisations of Africans rose by 43 per cent between 2020 and 2023 – the steepest increase among all continents.
By comparison, Mexico topped the global list with 437,697 naturalisations across three years, followed by India (230,164) and the Philippines (180,073).
USCIS outlines naturalisation requirements
USCIS explained the legal process in a statement accompanying the report:
“To be considered for naturalisation, an applicant must meet statutory and regulatory requirements and file a Form N-400, Application for Naturalisation, with appropriate documentation.”
The agency added that the process includes “security and criminal background checks, interviews, civics and English testing, and an oath ceremony before a judge or authorised official.”
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a green card for five years (three if married to an American), and demonstrate “good moral character” and attachment to the Constitution.
From Europe to Africa: a changing immigration pattern
The OHSS report highlighted a historic shift. For decades, European immigrants dominated US naturalisations. However, changes to immigration law in 1965 opened doors to Asia and Africa.
“Since 2020, Africans have posted the fastest growth rate,” the report noted, overtaking Europeans in naturalisation trends for the first time.
Source: Legit.ng
