AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION

As obtainable, citizenship education is a compulsory General Studies Course in the Nigerian tertiary institutions’ education curriculum and is intended to train the students to the point of realization of their civic responsibilities vide state objectives, duties and obligations.

Hence, the introduction of citizenship education into the curriculum of tertiary education in Nigeria is meant to bring about:

1. The preparation of the students to be able to identify and exercise their civic rights and responsibilities.

2. The appreciation of the working of democracy in thought and deeds relating to large and small groups by the students.

3. Enablement on the side of the government to appreciate the state objectives and responsibilities.

4. Appreciation of the economic, political, social, cultural and physical environment by the student.

5. The development of the ability to adapt to changing economic, social, cultural, political and physical environment.

SOURCES OF THE NIGERIAN CITIZENSHIP

The 1989 constitution chapter 3 sections 26, 27 and 28 reviewed in the 1999 constitution outlined three sources of acquiring Nigerian citizenship.  They are citizenship by birth, registration and naturalization.

1. CITIZENSHIP BY BIRTH

This is one where a person is a citizen of a nation by birth, whether he or she was born outside their country but whose parents or grandparents are citizens of that same country.  Acquisition of citizenship by birth is based on blood relationship.

2. CITIZENSHIP BY REGISTRATION

Any woman who is married to a citizen of Nigeria or a person who is born outside Nigeria with any of his grandparents being a citizen of Nigeria may register as a citizen of Nigeria with the following conditions when the president is satisfied that with the follow:-

1. He or she is a person of good character.

2. He or she has shown a clear intention of desire to be domiciled in Nigeria and has taken to the Oath of allegiance prescribed in the 1989 constitution.

3. CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALIZATION

A foreigner may apply to acquire the Nigerian citizenship by naturalization if before the date that proceeds, his application he has either resided in Nigeria for a continuous period of fifteen years.  The certificate of naturalization may be granted to the foreigner if the president is satisfied that:

a. He is a person of full age and capacity

b. He is a person of good character

c. He has shown a clear intention of his desire to be domiciled in Nigeria.

d. He is, in the opinion of the governor of the state where he is or he proposes t be resident, 

acceptable to the local community in which he is to live permanently and has been 

assimilated into the way of life of Nigerians in that part.

e. He is a person who has made or is capable of making useful contribution for the 

advancement, progress and the well being of Nigerians.

f. He has taken the oath of allegiance prescribed for naturalizing persons in the 

constitution.

The other source of acquiring Nigerian citizenship is the conferment of citizenship on one as a mark of honour.  A re-known political personality from one country may be conferred with the citizenship of another country in recognition of his or her contributions in politics, community development, education or other spheres of life.      

RIGHTS OF NIGERIAN CITIZENS

The Nigerian constitution confers on its citizens the following fundamental human rights:

1. Right to life – that is to live and have one’s being.

2. Right to dignity of human person

3. Right to human or personal liberty

4. Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion

5. Right to private and family life

6. Right to freedom of expression and the press

7. Right to freedom of movement  

8. Right to freedom from discrimination; and etc.

DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF CITIZENS

Rights and duties go together.  Wherever there is a right there is a corresponding duty.  Since the state confers certain rights on its citizens, the citizens must owe the state certain duties and obligations.  The major ones are as follows:

• Loyalty to the state

• Payment of taxes and rates

• Obeying laws

• Military service

• Voting during elections

• Reporting criminals

• Respect for national flag and the national anthem

• Respect for head of state

• Respect for chief executives and judges

• Care of public property.

LOSS OF NIGERIAN CITIZENSHIP

One may loose or be stripped of his citizenship under the following circumstances:

1. If one is a Nigerian citizen and acquires and retains the citizenship or nationality of another country.

2. If a naturalized citizen has within twelve months of his naturalization does not renounce the citizenship of his former country.

3. A naturalized citizen may be deprived of his citizenship by the president if he is proving naturalization he has been presented for a jail term not less than three years.

4. A person who has acquired Nigerian citizenship by registration or naturalization may be deprived of his citizenship if he is proven by the judiciary or an administrative tribunal that one is indulgent in subverting much of speech tantamount to his loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.