How Nigerians Living In Canada Can Become Citizens

Published

1 year ago

April 10, 2024

Becoming a Canadian citizen is the ultimate desire of many immigrants living in Canada as the North American country boasts of amazing life opportunities.

For immigrants who intend to settle in Canada, applying to become a citizen is often a vital step in putting down roots in the country.

Canadian citizenship gives the holder the right to live, work, and study in the country without restrictions.

Citizenship opens up new opportunities for the holder, such as the ability to apply for jobs that are only available to Canadian citizens.

It also affords the individual access to public services, including education and healthcare, that are sometimes impermissible to foreigners.

Nigerian nationals are eligible for Canadian citizenship, but they have to only go through the application process and the eligibility requirements.

For Nigerians who want to apply to become a Canadian citizen, they must meet certain criteria, which are treated below:

1. Be a permanent resident of Canada

For Nigerians to become Canadian citizens, they must be residents of Canada. This means that Nigerians who want to apply for citizenship must be residing in any part of Canada.

2. Live in Canada for at least three years

Any Nigerian who wants to be a citizen of Canada must have lived in Canada for at least three out of the last five years (1,095 days in total).

3. Have filed all taxes

Canada, like other developed countries, takes their tax payments with seriousness. It is expedient for Nigerians who want to apply for citizenship in Canada to have filed all their taxes.

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4. Have good knowledge of Canada
One of the eligibility requirements for Nigerians to become citizens is to know about Canada’s history, languages, and culture to pass a test.

5. Be English or French language proficient

Any Nigerian who wants to be a Canadian citizen must prove the required language skills in English or French. English and French are co-official languages of Canada.

However, regardless of the requirements stated above, no Nigerian national can become a Canadian citizen if they are prohibited under the Citizenship Act.

For example, any Nigerian or other foreigner currently serving a prison term or on parole or probation, cannot apply for citizenship.

However, one can apply for citizenship once the conviction has been spent.

Also, it is pertinent to note that time spent in prison, on parole, or probation cannot be counted towards the time in Canada when proving to have lived in the country for the required period.

Putin Says Will Speak With Trump On Phone Today

Published

20 hours ago

July 3, 2025

Editor

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he would speak with US counterpart Donald Trump on the phone Thursday, their first publicly announced call in over two weeks.

The two have been in regular contact since Trump took office in January and have discussed issues like the Ukraine conflict and economic cooperation.

Putin did not say what the two would discuss in Thursday’s call.

“I will talk to the US president today,” the Russian leader told the media during a visit to an exhibition centre in Moscow.

Trump confirmed the call on Truth Social, saying it would start at 10.00am (1400 GMT).

The two leaders have praised each other in recent weeks, despite Moscow’s ongoing assault on Ukraine.

Putin said last week that he had “great respect” for Trump and that US ties were improving. Trump said Putin’s statements were “very nice”.

AFP

NAFDAC Warns Against Use Of Excess Hydroquinone In Cosmetics

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned users of bleaching creams to refrain from using products containing excessive hydroquinone to safeguard their health.

NAFDAC Bauchi State Coordinator, Mr Hamis Yahaya, advised in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Tuesday.

Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent used to treat hyperpigmentation, such as melasma and age spots.

Yahaya said that the approved quantity of the chemical substance in cosmetics was only two per cent.

According to him, NAFDAC conducts checks on market products to ensure public health and safety.

“The black colour provides natural protection against harmful radiation due to melanin content.

“Applying creams with hydroquinone contents more than two per cent is harmful. Mixing creams by non-experts is wrong.

“Hydroquinone affects the health of the users gradually, including causing cancer,” he said.

Yahaya urged the media to raise awareness about the dangers of cosmetics that could endanger consumer lives.

Headline

AU Helicopter Crashes In Somali Capital – State Media

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

An African Union helicopter crashed Wednesday at the airport in the Somali capital Mogadishu with eight people onboard, state media said.

The aircraft was part of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), tasked with fighting the Al-Shabaab militant group.

The state media agency Sonna said the AUSSOM helicopter, carrying eight people, “crashed during landing at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde Airport this morning after departing Balidoogle”.

“The fire has been contained, and authorities are assessing the situation,” it said in a post on X.

Sonna quoted the country’s civil aviation authorities as saying that “flight operations remain normal”.

There were no further details given, but unverified clips and images shared online showed a plume of black smoke over the city.

The AUSSOM mission faces funding difficulties, even as fears of an Al-Shabaab resurgence are stoked by attacks in the Horn of Africa nation.