CITIZENSHIP SERIES: THE BEGINNING
Happy New Year readers!!
Knowledge Tent is kicking off this year with a New series on Citizenship!!!!
Yesterday, we began with our Tirbal Thursdays by distinguishing between the various classes of people living in Nigeria, do well to check it out on our Instagram page:knowledgetent. Trust me, it’s enlightening.
Onto today’s discussion!!!
The term citizenship refers to the status in which an individual is legally recognized as a member of a nation or state and this status provides such an individual with privileges and responsibilities.
Thus, to be a citizen is to be a legally recognised member of a state with privileges such as the right to vote and responsibilities owed to the state.
In Nigeria, the basic law that governs citizenship is provided for in Chapter 3 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It is essential to know that there are three modes of acquiring the status of a citizen in Nigeria- By Birth, Naturalization and Registration (which would be properly discussed later).
- CITIZENSHIP AND NATIONALITY:
Although the term citizenship and nationality are often used interchangeably, they do not mean the same thing.
The nationality of a person, reveals his/her place of birth, that is, from where he/she belongs. It is the individual membership that shows a person’s relationship with the state.
Thus, an individual who was born in Nigeria would be a national and Citizen of Nigeria.
Although the difference between these two terms are often times disregarded, it is essential that we are aware of it.
2. JUS SOLI AND JUS SANGUINIS
Jus Soli:
This is a Latin term which means "Law of the Soil". This is commonly referred to as Birthright Citizenship.
This principle explains that the citizenship of a child is determined by the place of birth of that child, regardless of the citizenship or nationality of the parents.
For instance, if a woman gives birth to a child in Canada, whether or not either of the parent is a citizen of Canada, by reason of the principle of Jus Soli, that child would be regarded as a citizen of Canada.
Countries that practice this principle of Jus Soli include: Canada, Grenada, Cuba, among others.
Jus Sanguinis:
This is a term which means "Right of blood". This principle explains that the citizenship of a child is determined by his/her parents or ancestry. It provides that the citizenship of a child is the same as his/her parents or ancestry and not by place of birth.
For instance, regardless of where a child is born, if both or either of the parent ( or grandparent ) is a Nigerian, by virtue of this principle of Jus Sangunis, that child would also be a Nigerian.
Countries that operate tbis principle of Jus Sanguinis include: Nigeria, South Korea, China among others.
By virtue of the principle of Jus Sanguinis, orphans/foundlings born within the territory of Nigeria but whose parents are unknown are not recognized as citizens of Nigeria are considered to be ‘stateless’.
However it is pertinent to note that although the principle of Jus Sanguinis is being operated in Nigeria, individuals who are not affiliated with Nigeria in any manner (parents or grandparents) can still acquire Nigeria Citizenship as there are other modes of acquiring citizenship which are favourable to them.
Thank you for staying with us today, we’ve come to the end of our discussion.
Until next time, do well to share, encourage by claping and following us here on our Blog Page and on our Instagram page
Don’t forget the goal to teach the Nigerian law to the world!!
Until next time readers!
Writer and Editor: Esther Ude.
