3,270 Nigerian-born service members gained U.S. citizenship through military naturalization between 2020 and 2024, ranking Nigeria fourth behind the Philippines, Jamaica, and Mexico.
This data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) shows a steady increase in Nigerian service members gaining U.S. citizenship over the last five years, with numbers rising from 340 in 2020 to 930 in 2024.
1. Top Countries: Philippines (5,630), Jamaica (5,420), Mexico (3,670), Nigeria (3,270), and Ghana comprised over 38% of naturalizations.
2. Branch Distribution: Army (60%), Navy (20.4%), Air Force (10.6%), Marine Corps (6.6%), and Coast Guard (less than 1%).
3. Age Distribution: Half of naturalized service members were between 22 and 30 years old, with a median age of 27.
4. Gender Distribution: Men comprised 73% of naturalized service members, with a gradual increase in female service members over the years.
Source: Vanguard
