Nigerians Lead Africa in U.S. Citizenship, Recording 14% of Naturalisations

Nigerians have emerged as the leading group of African-born immigrants naturalised in the United States, with nearly 39,000 gaining citizenship between 2021 and 2023, according to new U.S. Department of Homeland Security data.

The figures show that 10,920 Nigerians became U.S. citizens in 2021, followed by a sharp rise to 14,440 in 2022, before moderating to 13,530 in 2023. Altogether, Nigerians accounted for 14 percent of the 277,430 Africans naturalised during the three-year period, cementing the country’s position as the top African source of new U.S. citizens.

The trend reflects Nigeria’s strong migration links with the United States, often driven by education, professional opportunities, and family reunification. Nigerians are highly represented in sectors such as medicine, technology, and academia, and their naturalisation highlights the community’s long-term integration into American society.

At the same time, the numbers fuel debate about the implications of sustained emigration for Nigeria’s development. While the Nigerian diaspora is a critical source of remittances estimated at over $20 billion annually experts warn that the steady outflow of skilled talent contributes to domestic workforce shortages, particularly in healthcare and STEM fields.

The U.S. report also situates Nigerians within a global migration context. In 2023, the largest groups of naturalised citizens were from Mexico, India, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, and Vietnam. California, Texas, and New York hosted the highest concentrations of new citizens, many of whom are Nigerian.

For policymakers, the figures present a dual challenge: harnessing the economic power of Nigerians abroad while creating incentives for talent retention at home. With the U.S. continuing to attract Nigerian migrants, the balance between diaspora contribution and national capacity remains a central question for the country’s future.