3,270 Nigerians Became American Citizens Through Military Service In Four Years – US
Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
Nigeria has been ranked fourth among the countries whose citizens were granted U.S. citizenship through military naturalization between 2020 and 2024.
This information was revealed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Monday, December 9.
According to USCIS data, 3,270 Nigerian-born service members were granted U.S. citizenship during this period, placing Nigeria behind only the Philippines (5,630), Jamaica (5,420), and Mexico (3,670).
“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. “The next five countries of birth — Haiti, China, Cameroon, Vietnam, and South Korea — comprised an additional 16% of military naturalizations from FY 2020 to FY 2024.”
The data also showed a steady increase in the number of Nigerian service members gaining U.S. citizenship over the last five years. The number rose from 340 in 2020 to 630 in 2021, 680 in 2022, 690 in 2023, and 930 in 2024.
The Army accounted for the largest share of military naturalizations, with 60% of all naturalizations during this period, followed by the Navy (20.4%), Air Force (10.6%), and Marine Corps (6.6%).
“Service members from the Army (including National Guard and Reserves) comprised almost two-thirds (60%) of all military naturalizations from FY 2020 to FY 2024. Service members from the Coast Guard comprised less than 1%. The Navy accounted for 20.4%, the Air Force for 10.6%, and the Marine Corps for 6.6%,” the report noted.
Additionally, half of all service members who naturalized were between the ages of 22 and 30, with a median age of 27. “More than 17% were 21 and under, while almost 5% were older than 40,” the USCIS data indicated.
The report also highlighted a gender disparity, noting that men made up 73% of all service members naturalized between FY 2020 and FY 2024, though the proportion of female service members has gradually increased over the years.
