The Federal Government, like ‘Green Card’ has introduced a new legal permanent resident card, known as ‘Brown Card’ that will allow foreign Nationals to live and work permanently in Nigeria.
The card was announced on Saturday by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, after the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Executive Council.
“I am happy to announce the Brown Card, as the legal instrument to Permanent Residency.”
The Minister of Interior is now invested with the authority to confer Permanent Residency on non- Nigerian persons, enabling such beneficiaries to live and work in Nigeria without the requirement of renewal every five years, as was the case.
This was at the Conferment cermony held at the Nigeria Correctional Service Headquarters, which 385 foreign Nationals from different continents were conferred Nigerian citizenship.
According to Aregbesola, those who are qualified for the new document of Permanent Residency includes: Foreign nationals of African descent who desire to make Nigeria their homeland through the ‘Privilege of Return’; Foreign nationals who desire to invest in Nigeria in line with established guidelines; Foreign nationals who had demonstrated exceptional talents, knowledge and skills in rare fields of Science, Technology, Medicine, Engineering, the Arts, Sports and other areas as might be determined from time to time; and Male foreign nationals married to Nigerian women for a minimum period of one year.
“I need to state that the acquisition of the Nigerian citizenship is a great privilege and not everyone that applies becomes successful,” He said.
He argued that the large number of foreigners aspiring to become citizens of Nigeria is a proof that the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to promote Nigeria as a place for investment and peaceful coexistence are bearing fruit.