Nigeria ranks fourth for U.S. military naturalizations between 2020-2024, with 3,270 Nigerian-born service members granted citizenship. The Army led naturalizations at 60%, and there has been a steady increase in Nigerian citizens naturalized over the years. Currently, 73% of these service members are men, with the median age being 27.
According to recent data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Nigeria ranks fourth among countries whose citizens were granted U.S. green cards through military naturalization from 2020 to 2024. In total, 3,270 Nigerian-born service members achieved U.S. citizenship during this period. This places Nigeria behind only the Philippines, Jamaica, and Mexico in terms of naturalizations. The United States has naturalized over 52,000 military service members from various countries within the same timeframe.
The data highlights that military naturalizations have predominantly involved service members from the Army, which accounted for approximately 60% of all naturalizations, while the Navy contributed 20.4%, the Air Force 10.6%, and the Marine Corps 6.6%. The nationality distribution indicates a significant proportion of naturalized military personnel hails from the Philippines, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, and Ghana, collectively representing over 38% of total military naturalizations since 2020.
Over the past five years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of Nigerian service members obtaining U.S. citizenship, growing from 340 in 2020 to 930 in 2024, demonstrating a clear upward trend. The median age of those who became naturalized service members is reported to be 27, with a majority falling between the ages of 22 and 30. Furthermore, gender distribution reveals that approximately 73% of naturalized service members are male, although the proportion of female service members has steadily increased over the years.
Overall, the statistics underscore the significant contributions of Nigerian service members to the U.S. military and their successful path to citizenship, reflecting broader trends in military naturalization.
The topic of military naturalization in the United States reflects a growing pattern of citizenship among international service members. Military naturalizations provide a pathway for foreign-born individuals serving in the U.S. armed forces to formally become citizens. This trend is crucial as it illustrates the diverse backgrounds and nationalities represented in the military, and how they contribute not only to national defense but also to demographic changes within the U.S. The data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is essential in understanding these patterns, especially regarding the contributions from specific countries such as Nigeria, which is noteworthy in this context.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s substantial representation among countries whose citizens obtain U.S. citizenship through military service underscores the significant role of Nigerian service members in the U.S. armed forces. The consistent increase in naturalizations reflects the evolving demographic landscape of military personnel, with notable participation by Nigerians. Furthermore, the data highlights the importance of military service as a viable pathway to citizenship, facilitating not only individual status changes but also contributing to the diverse fabric of U.S. society.
Original Source: dailypost.ng
