Between 2020 and 2024, a total of 3,270 Nigerian-born military service members were granted US citizenship, making Nigeria the fourth-highest contributor to military naturalizations in the United States during the period. This data, released by the US.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Monday, highlights the increasing participation of Nigerians in US military programs.
The report revealed that the United States naturalized over 52,000 military personnel from various countries in the last four years. Nigeria trailed behind the Philippines, Jamaica, and Mexico, which recorded 5,630, 5,420, and 3,670 naturalizations, respectively.
“Service members born in the Philippines, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, and Ghana — the top five countries of birth among those naturalized — comprised over 38% of the naturalizations since FY 2020,” the USCIS report stated.
Steady Growth in Numbers
The number of Nigerians gaining US citizenship through military service has seen consistent growth over the years, starting with 340 in 2020, increasing to 930 by 2024. The Army accounted for 60% of these naturalizations, followed by the Navy (20.4%), Air Force (10.6%), and Marine Corps (6.6%).
The median age of naturalized service members was 27 years, with most falling within the 22-30 age range. The report also showed that 73% of the naturalized personnel were men, though the proportion of female participants has been gradually increasing.
The USCIS emphasized the critical role of immigrants in the US military. “The dedication of these individuals underscores the strength of diversity in our armed forces,” a USCIS representative noted.
