by Ashraf Oluwatobiloba, Kaduna.
The House of Representatives has moved forward with a bill seeking to introduce citizenship by investment into the Nigerian Constitution. Lawmakers passed the proposal through its second reading on Wednesday.
Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and other legislators, the Citizenship by Investment Bill proposes granting Nigerian citizenship to foreign investors who meet a set financial threshold or invest in key sectors essential for national development. The initiative aims to attract foreign direct investment and stimulate economic growth.
Presenting the bill, House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere also introduced the Indigene Status Bill. This amendment seeks to grant indigene status to individuals born in a state or those who have lived there for at least 10 years. Additionally, it proposes extending indigene status to women married to men from a different state for at least five years.
Meanwhile, lawmakers are reviewing the country’s death penalty laws. They are considering constitutional amendments to align capital punishment policies with international best practices. The proposed changes aim to balance public safety with fairness, proportionality, and human rights compliance within Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
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