Nigeria Advances Citizenship by Investment Bill in Constitutional Amendment Push

Abuja, Nigeria – A landmark bill proposing citizenship by investment in Nigeria scaled second reading in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, marking a significant step toward potentially reshaping the country’s citizenship framework.

The Citizenship by Investment Bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and other lawmakers, seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to introduce a new class of citizenship for foreign investors who meet specified financial thresholds. The bill aims to boost foreign direct investment (FDI) by granting Nigerian citizenship to individuals who invest significantly in the economy or in strategic sectors critical to national development.

Presented for debate by House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the bill forms part of a broader package of constitutional amendments currently before the National Assembly.

Key Provisions of the Citizenship by Investment Bill

• Investment Thresholds: Qualified foreign investors who commit a certain financial amount (yet to be specified) in Nigeria’s economy will be eligible for citizenship.
• Economic Benefits: The initiative is designed to attract high-net-worth individuals, stimulate job creation, and enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
• Strategic Sectors: Investments in critical areas such as infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing may be prioritized.

Other Major Constitutional Amendment Bills

Alongside the citizenship bill, the House also debated several other proposed amendments, including:

1. Indigene Status Bill

This bill seeks to redefine indigeneity by granting automatic indigene status to individuals based on:

• Birth and 10 years of continuous residence in a state.
• Marriage (a woman married to an indigene for at least five years gains indigene status).
• Tax compliance (proof of tax payments for 10 years in a state).

The bill also ensures that divorced or widowed women retain their indigene status if they choose to remain in the state.

2. Death Penalty Review Bill

Proposing a revision of capital punishment laws, this bill aims to align Nigeria’s criminal justice system with international human rights standards. It suggests reviewing penalties for certain offences to ensure fairness, proportionality, and respect for human rights while maintaining public safety.

3. Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation Bill

This amendment seeks to formally establish the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government. Key provisions include:

• A four-year tenure, renewable once.
• A mandatory retirement age of 60 years or after 35 years of public service, whichever comes first.

Next Steps

Following the second reading, the bills will proceed to committee stage for further scrutiny and public hearings before returning to the House for a final vote. If passed, they will move to the Senate for concurrence before being sent to state assemblies for ratification.

Implications for Nigeria

• Economic Growth: The Citizenship by Investment Bill could position Nigeria alongside countries like Dubai, Malta, and Caribbean nations that have successfully leveraged similar programs to attract foreign capital.
• Social Integration: The Indigene Status Bill may reduce ethnic discrimination in employment and politics by formalizing residency-based indigene rights.
• Judicial Reform: The death penalty review reflects growing calls for Nigeria to modernize its criminal justice system.

Conclusion

The proposed constitutional amendments signal a bold legislative push to modernize Nigeria’s legal and economic frameworks. If enacted, the Citizenship by Investment Bill could open new avenues for economic development, while the indigene and justice reforms may foster greater social cohesion and human rights protections.

Stakeholders, including investors, civil society groups, and legal experts, will be closely monitoring the progress of these bills as they advance through the legislative process.

Stay tuned for further updates as the House of Representatives deliberates on these critical reforms.

Source: Office of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Abuja.