Godsent Ogbebor
Reps Consider Citizenship by Investment, Indigene Status Bills
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the second reading of a bill seeking to introduce citizenship by investment into the Nigerian Constitution.
The bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and other lawmakers, proposes granting Nigerian citizenship to foreign investors who meet a specified financial threshold or invest in key sectors vital to national development.
Lawmakers believe this initiative will attract foreign direct investment and boost economic growth.
House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere also presented a separate amendment, the Indigene Status Bill, which aims to grant indigene status to individuals born in a state or those who have resided there for at least 10 years.
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Additionally, it extends indigene rights to women married to men from another state for a minimum of five years.
In a related development, legislators are reviewing the country’s death penalty laws, proposing amendments to align penalties for capital offences with global human rights standards while ensuring public safety.
