At least 176,537 Nigerians obtained British citizenship between 2005 and the first quarter of 2026, placing Nigeria among the leading nationalities receiving UK citizenship during the period.
Official data from the UK Home Office, obtained by The PUNCH, shows that Nigeria recorded the highest number of citizenship grants among African nationalities over the 21-year period.
Globally, Nigerians ranked third, behind India, which recorded 428,577 grants, and Pakistan, with 321,580.
The figures form part of the UK Home Office’s Immigration System Statistics and cover citizenship grants through both naturalisation and registration from the first quarter of 2005 to the first quarter of 2026.
Nigerians also recorded 201,077 citizenship applications
The data shows that Nigerians submitted 201,077 applications for British citizenship during the period.
That figure also placed Nigeria first among African nationalities and third worldwide, behind India with 459,678 applications and Pakistan with 355,113.
The figures provide an indication of the number of Nigerians who moved to the United Kingdom for work, study or settlement and later sought British citizenship.
The latest citizenship figures come after separate data showed that the UK issued 2,723,558 entry visas to Nigerians between 2005 and the first quarter of 2026, while 1,344,595 applications were rejected during the same period.
Citizenship grants rise sharply
Although the number of Nigerian citizenship grants generally remained between about 6,900 and 9,800 annually for much of the previous decade, the figure increased significantly in recent years.
In 2023, the UK granted citizenship to 8,900 Nigerians. That number jumped to 12,562 in 2024, representing a 41.1 per cent increase.
The figure rose again to 12,620 in 2025.
Furthermore, 3,001 Nigerians received British citizenship in the first quarter of 2026 alone.
Applications have also increased.
Nigerian citizenship applications rose from 9,454 in 2022 to 10,668 in 2023, before reaching 12,530 in 2024 and 15,370 in 2025.
The first quarter of 2026 recorded another 4,449 applications from Nigerians.
Naturalisation accounts for largest share
A breakdown of the citizenship grants shows that naturalisation based on residence accounted for the largest proportion.
The category recorded 58,680 grants, representing 33.2 per cent of the total Nigerian grants during the period.
Registration of minor children followed with 34,979 grants, or 19.8 per cent.
Meanwhile, naturalisation based on marriage to a British citizen accounted for 20,583 grants, representing 11.7 per cent.
Another 8,219 Nigerians, or 4.7 per cent, obtained citizenship through other registration routes.
Women slightly outnumbered men
The figures also show an almost even split between male and female recipients.
Women accounted for 88,364 citizenship grants, representing 50.06 per cent of the total.
Men received 88,073 grants, or 49.88 per cent.
By age, adults aged between 30 and 49 represented the largest group, with 55,559 grants, equivalent to 31.5 per cent.
Children below the age of 18 accounted for another 41,453 grants, representing 23.5 per cent.
Nigeria leads African citizenship grants
Nigeria’s 176,537 citizenship grants represented 19.3 per cent of the 912,818 grants issued to all African nationalities combined during the period.
Worldwide, the Nigerian total accounted for 4.8 per cent of the 3,696,104 citizenship grants recorded.
South Africa ranked second among African nationalities with 128,156 grants, followed by Somalia with 86,972 and Zimbabwe with 85,883.
Ghana recorded 75,133 grants, while Eritrea had 34,794 and Mauritius 30,444.
Other countries included Sudan with 29,113, Kenya with 28,719, the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 24,045, Egypt with 23,924, Algeria with 20,324, Uganda with 17,796, Sierra Leone with 17,068 and Morocco with 13,546.
Globally, the top 10 nationalities by citizenship grants were India, Pakistan, Nigeria, South Africa, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Poland, Sri Lanka, Somalia and Zimbabwe.
What Nigerians need to become British citizens
For most adults seeking British citizenship through naturalisation, applicants must generally hold indefinite leave to remain and have lived in the UK for at least five years.
Applicants must also pass the Life in the UK Test, meet the required English-language standard and satisfy the Home Office’s good character requirement.
The good character assessment considers factors including criminal history, compliance with immigration rules and certain aspects of financial conduct.
UK government guidance on becoming a British citizen
UK tightens citizenship rules over illegal entry
However, the route to British citizenship has become more restrictive in recent years.
Home Office guidance introduced on February 10, 2025, states that applicants who entered the UK illegally, including those who arrived without a valid visa or electronic travel authorisation after what the guidance describes as a “dangerous journey”, will normally be refused citizenship.
The policy covers methods such as crossing the English Channel in small boats or entering the country concealed in vehicles.
The guidance was subsequently updated on April 30, 2026, to clarify circumstances in which illegal entry may be treated differently.
For example, exceptions may apply where the person’s entry was outside their control, including certain cases involving children and trafficking victims.
Recognised refugees protected under Article 31 of the 1951 Refugee Convention should also not be refused citizenship solely on the basis of illegal entry.
Policy faces legal challenge
The citizenship policy has nevertheless faced a legal challenge.
The High Court granted permission for a full judicial review of the guidance, with a three-day hearing held in June 2026 before the Divisional Court.
According to Wilson Solicitors, which represents the claimants, the Home Office withdrew citizenship refusals in three of the four lead cases following the hearing.
However, the broader policy remains in effect for new applicants while the court considers the case and awaits its full written judgment.
Key figures at a glance
- 176,537 — Nigerians granted British citizenship from 2005 to Q1 2026
- 201,077 — Nigerian citizenship applications during the period
- 12,620 — Nigerian citizenship grants in 2025
- 3,001 — Grants recorded in Q1 2026
- 4,449 — Nigerian applications in Q1 2026
- 19.3% — Nigeria’s share of citizenship grants to African nationals
- 3rd — Nigeria’s global ranking by citizenship grants
The figures highlight the significant presence of Nigerians within the UK’s immigration and citizenship system, while the recent rise in applications and grants points to continued demand for British citizenship among Nigerians living in the country.
