3,270 Nigerians were granted US citizenship via military service – U.S.

Nigeria came in at number four among nations whose residents received U.S. citizenship through military naturalization between 2020 and 2024.

Over 52,000 military service men from various nations were naturalized by the U.S. throughout the reviewed period.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data released on Monday showed that 3,270 military members born in Nigeria were granted U.S. citizenship, second only to those born in the Philippines (5,630), Jamaica (5,420), and Mexico (3,670).

The analysis of the data partly read: “Service members born in the Philippines, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, and Ghana — the top five countries of birth among those naturalised — comprised over 38% of the naturalizations since FY 2020.

“The next five countries of birth — Haiti, China, Cameroon, Vietnam, and South Korea — comprised an additional 16% of military naturalisations from FY 2020 to FY 2024”.

According to the data, during the last five years, there has been a steady growth in the number of Nigerian service members who have obtained U.S. citizenship.

340 in 2020, 630 the following year, 680 in 2022, 690 in 2023, and 930 in 2024 were the highest numbers.

Of all military naturalizations during this time, the Army made up 60%, followed by the Marine Corps (6.6%), Navy (20.4%), and Air Force (10.6%).

The Coast Guard employed less than one percent of naturalized service personnel.

“Service members from the Army (including National Guard and Reserves) comprised almost two-thirds (60%) of all military naturalisations 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 stated.

When they became naturalized, half of the service personnel were between the ages of 22 and 30.

“Half of all service members were between 22 and 30 years old when they naturalised.

“The median age of all service members who naturalised between FY 2020 and FY 2024 was 27.

“More than 17% were 21 and under, while almost 5% were older than 40”, the analysis revealed.

In terms of gender distribution, men made up 73% of the naturalized service personnel.

“Men comprised 73% of all service members naturalized between FY 2020 and FY 2024.

“The proportion of female service members slightly increased across the years”, the report revealed.

About U.S. military service

According to source, serving in the United State military is a significant commitment that requires meeting specific eligibility criteria.

To be eligible, one must be a US citizen or a permanent resident with a Green Card, and non-citizens must speak, read, and write English fluently.

Additionally, each branch of the military has its own age limits for active duty, ranging from 17 to 42 years old, depending on the branch.

Source disclosed that in order to enlist, one must also meet education and testing requirements, including having a high school diploma or equivalent, and taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, which measures aptitude for various military careers.

Furthermore, one must pass a medical exam and meet physical fitness standards, which vary by branch.

There are six branches of the US military, each with its own unique mission and responsibilities.

The Air Force executes military operations in the air, while the Army conducts combat missions on the ground.

The Coast Guard enforces laws at sea, secures waterways, and leads search and rescue missions.

Marine Corps supports other branches in land, sea, and air combat and operations.

The Navy protects waterways and provides runways for aircraft when at sea.

The Space Force organizes, trains, and equips members to conduct global space operations.

To enlist, one should contact a recruiter from their chosen branch, who will guide them through the process and help determine which careers are available based on their (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) ASVAB scores.

Serving in the US military requires dedication, hard work, and a commitment to protecting and serving the country.

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