More than 3,200 Nigerians have been granted U.S. citizenship in the past five years through their service in the American military, according to new data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The U.S. government announced on Monday that a significant number of Nigerian-born service members have successfully naturalized between 2020 and 2024, making Nigeria one of the top countries for military naturalizations.
According to the USCIS report, 3,270 Nigerians have become U.S. citizens during this period, positioning Nigeria fourth behind the Philippines, Jamaica, and Mexico.
The report highlights a notable trend in the U.S. military’s citizenship process, which has seen a steady rise in the number of foreign-born individuals gaining citizenship through their service.
“Service members born in the Philippines, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, and Ghana accounted for over 38% of all military naturalizations since 2020,” the report read. This reflects the diverse backgrounds of service members seeking to contribute to and integrate into the U.S. military.
Rising Numbers of Nigerian Service Members Seeking Citizenship
The naturalization of Nigerian-born military members has steadily increased each year, with the number jumping from 340 in 2020 to 930 in 2024.
This growth has mirrored a broader trend of increasing military naturalizations, with more than 52,000 service members from around the world becoming U.S. citizens between 2020 and 2024.
In 2024, Nigerian service members accounted for nearly 1,000 of those naturalizations, reflecting a significant rise in military personnel from the country seeking citizenship through service.
“This represents not just a personal achievement, but a deep connection to the values of the United States,” said David McAlister, a USCIS spokesperson. “Military service has long been one of the fastest paths to citizenship, and many foreign-born service members, including Nigerians, are choosing to serve and contribute to this country.”
Men Dominate the Ranks of Naturalized Service Members
Gender data in the report also shed light on the demographics of those naturalizing through military service. Of the 52,000 naturalized service members, 73% were men, with the majority being between 22 and 30 years old.
For Nigerian-born service members, the gender split was similar, with most being men.
While the percentage of female service members increased over time, the male-to-female ratio remained significantly tilted towards men, consistent with broader military service patterns.
“The age range and gender distribution point to a dynamic and motivated group of service members who are looking for opportunities to both serve their country and secure their future,” said McAlister.
The U.S. Army Leads Military Naturalizations
The U.S. Army has been the primary branch for naturalized service members, accounting for 60% of all military naturalizations. The Navy followed with 20.4%, while the Air Force and Marine Corps made up smaller portions of the overall numbers, at 10.6% and 6.6% respectively.
Despite the relatively low numbers, service members from the U.S. Coast Guard also contributed to the total, though they comprised less than 1% of the naturalizations.
“The Army has always been the dominant branch in terms of naturalizations,” noted the USCIS report. “This is consistent with the overall structure and recruitment patterns of the military.”
Youthful Military Citizenship
The age distribution among naturalized service members is also telling. Half of the service members who naturalized between 2020 and 2024 were between the ages of 22 and 30.
The median age of naturalized service members during this period was 27 years. More than 17% of those naturalized were 21 years old or younger, showing that many young individuals see military service as an opportunity to start a new life in the United States.
“Young people often choose military service as a way to improve their future prospects,” said Maria Jefferson, a policy analyst at the Center for Immigration Studies. “For many, it represents a chance to contribute to the country and gain legal status in return.”
U.S. Military Citizenship Pathway
The U.S. military has long offered a pathway to citizenship for foreign-born recruits, with some military members becoming citizens after just one year of service. The military’s expedited citizenship process is one of the key draws for many immigrants, especially those from countries like Nigeria, where economic challenges and limited opportunities at home drive many to seek better prospects abroad.
The naturalization process is typically quicker for service members than for civilians, making it an attractive option for those looking to become U.S. citizens.
“For many Nigerians, military service offers both a chance to serve and a clear path to citizenship, which is often seen as an important step toward a brighter future,” Jefferson added.
