Nigeria ranks fourth among countries whose citizens were granted U.S. citizenship through military naturalization between 2020 and 2024, according to data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
During this period, over 52,000 service members from various countries were naturalized, with 3,270 Nigerian-born individuals earning citizenship through their service. Nigeria trailed the Philippines (5,630), Jamaica (5,420), and Mexico (3,670) in the rankings.
“Service members born in the Philippines, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, and Ghana—the top five countries of birth among those naturalized—comprised over 38% of the naturalizations since FY 2020,” the USCIS report stated.
Steady Growth in Nigerian Naturalizations
The number of Nigerian service members gaining citizenship has steadily increased over the past five years:
- 2020: 340
- 2021: 630
- 2022: 680
- 2023: 690
- 2024: 930
Military Branch Contributions
The U.S. Army accounted for the majority of military naturalizations, making up 60% of all cases. Other contributions came from:
- Navy: 20.4%
- Air Force: 10.6%
- Marine Corps: 6.6%
- Coast Guard: Less than 1%
The report highlighted that the Army, including the National Guard and Reserves, played a dominant role in providing pathways for service members to gain U.S. citizenship.
Demographics of Naturalized Service Members
The data also provided insights into the demographics of naturalized service members:
- Age: Half were aged 22–30, with a median age of 27. More than 17% were 21 or younger, while nearly 5% were over 40.
- Gender: Men made up 73% of all naturalized service members, though the proportion of women has been gradually increasing.
The USCIS report underscores the significant role military service plays in providing foreign nationals, including Nigerians, with a path to U.S. citizenship.
