NIGERIA – ‘Brown Card’ Scheme Introduced

June 9, 2023


The government of Nigeria recently introduced a new pathway to citizenship for foreign nationals dubbed the ‘Brown Card’. The goal of the Brown Card is to increase the number of people seeking to become naturalized Nigerian citizens. A few hundred people each year over the past decade became naturalized Nigerian citizens. The Nigerian government hopes to increase this number closer to naturalization levels typically seen in Europe or the United States.

There will be four broad categories of individuals eligible to apply for the Brown Card:

  • Foreign nationals of African descent who seek Nigerian citizenship through the ‘Privilege of Return’;
  • Foreign nationals who want to invest in Nigeria in line with established guidelines;
  • Foreign nationals with talents, knowledge and skills in: Science, Technology, Medicine, Engineering, the Arts, Sports and other areas to be determined;
  • And male foreign nationals married to Nigerian women for a minimum period of one year.

Procedures for applying for the Brown Card are expected to be released within the next few months.

 

Newland Chase Insights

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.