Meaning, Types, Acquisition and Duties of Citizenship for SS 1

Citizenship

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain the meaning of citizenship;
2. discuss the forms of citizenship acquisition;
3. examine the rights and obligations of a citizen;
4. differentiate between citizen and non-citizen.

Meaning of Citizenship

Citizenship is the legal status of being a recognized member of a sovereign state, which confers specific rights, privileges, and duties upon the individual under the constitution.

This status establishes a reciprocal relationship between the individual and the state. The state owes the citizen protection, security, and the preservation of fundamental rights, while the citizen owes the state loyalty, obedience to laws, and active participation in national development.

A citizen is an individual who is legally recognized as a member of a sovereign state, possessing full civil and political rights and owing allegiance to the government of that state.

In Nigeria, the rules, qualifications, and conditions of citizenship are clearly defined and regulated under Chapter III of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Acquisition of Citizenship

Citizenship can be acquired through various legal methods established by the constitution of a country. The primary forms of citizenship acquisition include:

1. Citizenship by Birth: This is the most common form of citizenship. It is generally determined by two legal principles: Jus Sanguinis (right of blood), which grants citizenship based on the nationality of one or both parents, and Jus Soli (right of the soil), which grants citizenship based on the territory where the individual was born. Under the Nigerian Constitution, citizenship by birth is primarily based on descent, meaning at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Nigeria.
2. Citizenship by Registration: This is acquired by individuals who have legal, marital, or ancestral ties to a country. For instance, a foreign woman who marries a Nigerian citizen can apply to be registered as a citizen. Additionally, a person of full age and capacity born outside Nigeria whose grandparents are or were Nigerian citizens can also acquire citizenship through this method.
3. Citizenship by Naturalisation: This is the legal process by which a foreigner who has lived in a country for a long period can apply to become a citizen. The applicant must meet strict constitutional requirements before naturalisation is granted.
4. Citizenship by Descent: This occurs when an individual is born outside the territory of a country but automatically becomes a citizen because one or both parents are citizens of that country.
5. Citizenship by Conferment (Honorary Citizenship): This is a special status awarded by the President or government of a country to an eminent foreigner who has made outstanding contributions to the development, peace, or international image of the nation.

The conditions that a foreigner must satisfy to acquire citizenship by naturalisation in Nigeria include:

1. The applicant must be of full age (18 years and above) and possess full legal capacity.
2. The applicant must be of good character, as certified by the local community where they reside.
3. The applicant must show a clear intention to reside permanently in Nigeria.
4. The applicant must have resided continuously in Nigeria for a minimum of 15 years, or a total of 15 years over a period of 20 years, including the 12 months immediately preceding the application.
5. The applicant must be acceptable to the local community in which they intend to live and must assimilate into the local way of life.
6. The applicant must be capable of contributing usefully to the advancement, progress, and well-being of Nigeria.
7. The applicant must take the Oath of Allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, promising to respect the constitution and national symbols.

Dual citizenship is the status of being a citizen of two sovereign countries simultaneously. Under Nigerian law, a citizen of Nigeria by birth is permitted to hold dual citizenship. However, individuals who acquire Nigerian citizenship by registration or naturalisation are generally required to renounce their previous citizenship.

Rights of a Citizen

Rights are the legal, moral, or social entitlements that individuals possess and which are guaranteed and protected by the state through the constitution.

These rights enable citizens to live a dignified, free, and productive life. In Nigeria, these are referred to as Fundamental Human Rights and are enshrined in Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.

The rights of a citizen are broadly classified into three main categories:

1. Civil Rights: These are rights that protect individual freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, or private individuals. Examples include the right to life, the right to personal liberty, freedom of movement, freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and the right to private and family life.
2. Political Rights: These are rights that enable citizens to participate in the administration and political processes of the state. Examples include the right to vote and be voted for in democratic elections, the right to join or form political parties, and the right to hold public office.
3. Economic and Social Rights: These are rights that ensure individuals have access to basic social and economic necessities for a decent standard of living. Examples include the right to education, the right to work and earn fair wages, the right to own property, and the right to access healthcare services.

Duties and Obligations of a Citizen

Duties and obligations are the legal, moral, and civic responsibilities that a citizen is required by law to perform for the state in exchange for the protection and rights enjoyed.

While rights represent what the citizen expects from the state, duties represent what the state expects from the citizen to ensure social order, national security, and economic progress.

The primary duties and obligations of a citizen include:

1. Obedience to the Law: Citizens must respect and obey the constitution and all other laws enacted by the government to maintain peace, order, and stability.
2. Payment of Taxes: Citizens must promptly and honestly pay income taxes, rates, and other duties to provide the government with the necessary revenue to fund public services, infrastructure, and security.
3. Defense of the Nation: Citizens are obligated to defend the country against external aggression or internal threats when called upon to do so, which may include military service during emergencies.
4. Participation in the Democratic Process: Citizens should register to vote, participate in elections, and perform civic duties such as serving on juries or assisting in public administration.
5. Respect for National Symbols: Citizens must show respect for national symbols, including the national flag, the national anthem, the national pledge, and the coat of arms.
6. Assisting Law Enforcement Agencies: Citizens have a duty to report criminal activities, provide useful information to security agencies, and assist in maintaining security within their communities.
7. Respect for the Rights of Others: Citizens must tolerate and respect the rights, beliefs, and cultures of fellow citizens to foster national unity and peaceful co-existence.

Differences Between a Citizen and a Non-Citizen

A non-citizen, also known as an alien, is an individual who resides within the territory of a state but is legally recognized as a member or subject of another sovereign country.

Non-citizens may reside in a country for business, education, tourism, or diplomatic missions. While they enjoy basic human rights and protection under the law, they do not possess the full political and civil privileges reserved exclusively for citizens.

The key differences between a citizen and a non-citizen are outlined in the table below: