The Federal Executive Council, FEC,  yesterday, approved the granting of citizenship to 286 foreign nationals residing in the country.

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the virual FEC meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa in Abuja,.

According to him, 600 foreigners applied while the number of those whose citizenship was approved by naturalisation stands at 208, while 78 applicants were approved by registration.

The applicants from every part of the world including Europeans, Americans, North and South Australians, etc. were thoroughly scrutinized by agencies such as the department of states services, foreign affairs, Nigeria’s immigration service, and the state of domicile of the foreign individuals.

He further disclosed that another set was expected to be presented by the end of the first quarter or in the middle of the year.

“We received 600 applications from several people, foreign nationals, who are in Nigeria, who have been residing in Nigeria, they are desirous to be Nigerians.

“These applicants are from virtually every part of the world, Americans, North and South Australia, Europeans, Arabs, Asians, all over.

“Who are the ones for registration? They are women married to Nigerians, they are called Naija wives, who, besides having the right of residency and movement, without any restriction or without requirement of visa to and fro to country, are desirous of being Nigerians.

“So, they become Nigerians, they get granted citizenship by registration, whereas foreign nationals who are desirous of Nigerians but are not actually wives of Nigerians, we give them citizenship by naturalisation.

“The number of those who are granted Nigerian citizenship and naturalization, through the collection of applications is 280, while those who are issued registration, is 78″, he said.