The United States granted citizenship to 34,289 Nigerians between 2020 and 2022, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report, marking Nigeria as Africa’s top source of new Americans. The data reveals not just growing diaspora mobility but also systemic shifts in U.S. immigration trends post-pandemic.
Record-Breaking Numbers
Nigeria’s naturalizations surged 32% year-on-year in 2022, hitting an all-time high of 14,438 approvals—up from 10,921 in 2021 and 8,930 in 2020. This growth outpaced Africa’s overall 40% regional increase, with Nigeria and DR Congo (6,000 naturalizations in 2022) as the continent’s only representatives in the global top 30.
The COVID-19 Backlog Effect
The 2020 dip (8,930 approvals) coincided with an 11-week USCIS shutdown, delaying oath ceremonies. By 2022, however, the agency’s backlog clearance—coupled with Nigeria’s median 6-year wait time for permanent residents (faster than the 7-year global average)—fueled the spike.
Comparative Global Trends
While Mexico dominated (326,237 naturalizations) and India followed (171,114), Nigeria’s numbers eclipsed those of Ghana, Kenya, and Ethiopia—grouped under “other countries.” Notably, African applicants now naturalize quicker than Europeans did pre-1965, when quota reforms opened doors to non-European migrants.
On the other hand, Philippines supplied 135,313 new Americans, Cuba (126,203), the Dominican Republic (81,303), Vietnam (80,177), the People’s Republic of China (82,376), Jamaica (57,145), El Salvador (52,399), and Colombia (48,396).
Why Nigeria?
The increase Nigeria’s naturalization numbers is attributed to a combination of factors, including a post-pandemic processing push, stable legal immigration pathways for Nigerians, and strong community networks that support residency and integration.
According to immigration analysts, Nigerians often meet key criteria for U.S. naturalisation at higher rates than many other African applicants. English proficiency, high levels of education, and professional employment—particularly in healthcare and tech—make them strong candidates. Additionally, long-standing migration chains between Nigeria and the U.S. offer informational and logistical support for newcomers.
As global migration intensifies, these figures underscore Nigeria’s growing presence in U.S. demographics—both as contributors to its workforce and as engaged citizens shaping its future.