Many Nigerians have the dream of giving their kids more opportunities than they had. One way is to provide them with dual citizenship or citizenship of other countries that have better standards of living and promises than Nigeria.
While many countries, including Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, and Ireland, have since either canceled citizenship by birth or made it so that you must have a parent as a citizen of the country, others still make it possible. In this article, we share some of the best countries that offer citizenship by birth to Nigerians
Countries Offering Citizenship by Birth
1. United States
Although President Donald Trump has been trying to implement the policy of citizenship by birth in the United States, it is still being practiced for now. For now, you can become a citizen of the United States once you are born in the country, no matter the residency or nationality of your parents. This law does not extend to children born to diplomats and foreign military personnel.
2. Dominica
In the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is a great country that offers citizenship by birth to individuals of any country, once they are born in the country. Citizenship in Dominica is given to you once you are born in the country, regardless of the residency of your parents and citizenship of your parents.
3. Mexico
One of the most popular countries in North America, Mexico, is another great place for Nigerians or citizens from other countries to obtain citizenship by birth. This is available to anyone born in the country, regardless of the citizenship of one’s parents. One interesting thing about it here is that the country allows for dual citizenship.
4. Australia
Before 1986, citizenship by birth was possible in Australia, no matter the nationality of your parents. While this is no longer in place, citizenship by birth is still possible only if your parents are permanent residents in the country or if one of your parents is a citizen.
5. Brazil
Citizenship by birth in Brazil affords one more opportunity than in several other countries. Regardless of the nationality of the parents of the child, it is still possible to gain citizenship. Other conditions through which a child can gain Brazilian citizenship are if his parents work for the government of the country or if they are registered at the Brazilian Consular Office.
6. Antigua and Barbuda
Another country in the Caribbean that gives citizenship by birth is Antigua and Barbuda. With a population of less than a hundred thousand people, this country offers citizenship to anyone born in the country, regardless of the nationality of the parents. The only exception is children born to diplomats or from countries at war with Antigua and Barbuda.
See Also: Top 10 Countries To Relocate for Better Job Opportunities
7. St Kitts and Nevis
Another country in the Caribbean that offers citizenship by birth is St Kitts and Nevis. With a population of less than 50,000 people, there is an unconditional citizenship for those born in the island country.
8. St. Lucia
Saint Lucia is yet another country in the Caribbean where citizenship by birth is assured once a child is born in the country. To become one of the less than 200,000 citizens of this country, a child only has to be born there, even if their parents live there or not. This also extends to children adopted by a citizen of St. Lucia.
9. Canada
One more country where the jus soli (right of the soil) principle applies is Canada. One of the top destinations in the world, Canada offers citizenship to anyone who is born in the country, regardless of the citizenship of the parents as well as their immigration status.
Those who do not benefit from this are children who are born to parents who are diplomats as a result of the principles of diplomatic immunity.
