A bill proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria seeks to introduce citizenship by investment as an official category of Nigerian citizenship.
It successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
The Citizenship by Investment Bill, part of the current set of amendment proposals, aims to modify the Constitution to create a new class of citizenship for foreign investors who meet certain investment criteria.
The bill outlines a pathway for foreign nationals to acquire Nigerian citizenship by making qualifying investments, either by meeting specific financial thresholds or by investing in key sectors crucial for national development.
The goal is to encourage foreign direct investment by offering Nigerian citizenship to those who contribute significantly to the country’s economy.
The proposed amendments, which are supported by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and other lawmakers, were presented by House Leader Prof Julius Ihonvbere during the second reading.
Also among the bills presented was the Indigene Status Bill, which seeks to amend the Constitution to ensure that individuals are recognized as indigenes of a state either through birth, continuous residence for at least 10 years, or marriage.
The bill’s explanatory memorandum details its objective to amend Section 31 of the Constitution by introducing new subsections (2) to (5), which include provisions like:
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– A person is considered an indigene of a state if born there and has lived there continuously for at least 10 years, or if they have lived in a Local Government Area of the state for 10 years and can show proof of tax payment during that period.
– Such a person may apply for a certificate of indigeneship from the Local Government Chairman.
– A woman married to an indigene of a different state for at least five years will be considered an indigene of that state, entitled to the same rights and privileges, including in employment and political offices.
– In the event of divorce or the death of her spouse, a woman retains her indigene status if there are children from the marriage, or she may choose to remain an indigene of that state.
The House also reviewed the death penalty law, with proposals to align penalties for certain capital offenses with international human rights standards, ensuring fairness, proportionality, and respect for global justice norms.
Additionally, a bill to amend the Constitution to establish the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, alongside the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government, was presented.
The bill stipulates that the Accountant-General of the Federal Government will serve a four-year term, renewable once for another term of four years, and will remain in office until they turn 60 or complete 35 years of public service, whichever comes first.
Crediblenewsng.com
