Nigerians Lead African U.S. Naturalizations, 47,819 Cases in 2019–2023

First, list of detected resources in order of appearance:
1. Form N-400, Application for Naturalization (form, mentioned in “The naturalization process today” and in Resources)
2. Form N-400, Application for Naturalization (uscis_resource — duplicate resource)
3. Naturalizations Annual Flow Report (policy, mentioned in “African context and DHS report”)

Now the article with government links added (only the first mention of each resource is linked, preserving all content and formatting exactly otherwise):

(NIGERIA) Nigeria led Africa in the number of people becoming U.S. citizens between 2019 and 2023, with 47,819 Nigerians completing naturalizations during that period, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s latest release in August 2025. The figures confirm a clear trend: Nigerians remain at the forefront of African migration stories tied to citizenship, even after the pandemic and amid shifting U.S. policy debates.

DHS data show that Africans as a whole recorded 341,884 naturalizations in those four years, with Nigeria topping the list of African countries. This comes as the foreign-born population in the United States 🇺🇸 reached a record 53.3 million in January 2025, accounting for 15.8% of the total population.

Year-by-year pattern and Nigerian totals

The year-by-year pattern tells a story of persistence and recovery after pandemic disruptions.

• In 2020, 8,930 Nigerians naturalized despite an 11-week shutdown of oath ceremonies during COVID-19.
• As U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) restarted operations and worked through case backlogs, 2021 saw 10,921 Nigerian naturalizations.
• The momentum crested in 2022, when a record 14,438 Nigerians became citizens—an increase of 32% from the previous year.
• In 2023, the figure dipped slightly to 13,530, but remained high by historical standards.

Nigeria’s sustained performance reflects a mix of strong demand, family and professional ties in the United States, and the determination of applicants who waited through pandemic delays to complete the process.

African context and DHS report

The broader African picture is also striking. DHS figures show 341,884 Africans naturalized from 2019 through 2023, with Nigeria identified as the leading source country within Africa. Other prominent countries include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, and Kenya.

DHS published these totals in its Naturalizations Annual Flow Report in August 2025, confirming Nigeria’s leading position and the scale of African contributions to U.S. citizenship gains. The report is part of DHS’s official immigration statistics series and tracks the flow of new U.S. citizens over time, by nationality and other characteristics.

For the most recent release and historical time series, readers can consult the DHS Immigration Statistics portal at Department of Homeland Security – Immigration Data & Statistics.

Data context and drivers of the surge

Several forces are behind the surge in naturalizations, especially for Nigerians:

• Rebound after pandemic closures: the lifting of restrictions increased interviews and oath ceremonies, particularly in 2022 and 2023.
• USCIS backlog-clearing efforts: investments in processing helped move cases that had stalled during COVID-19.
• Socioeconomic factors: many African migrants—Nigerians in particular—have high English proficiency, strong educational attainment, and professional credentials, aiding successful applications.
• Long-standing lawful permanent resident status: many applicants reached eligibility (five years, or three years for spouses of U.S. citizens) during or shortly after the pandemic.

The American Immigration Council notes that many African immigrants hold bachelor’s degrees or higher and that nearly half are already naturalized—contributions that strengthen communities, schools, and local economies.

Human stories behind the numbers

The human picture matters as much as the statistics.

• Many Nigerian applicants are long-time lawful permanent residents—spouses of U.S. citizens, parents, or employment-based green card holders—who waited through pandemic delays to finish the process.
• Families postponed travel for oath ceremonies; others waited months for interview notices.
• By 2022, previously delayed cases began to move, producing a sharp jump that pushed Nigeria to the top of Africa’s naturalizations chart.

Examples:
– A Nigerian nurse in Houston who arrived on a student visa, later became a lawful permanent resident, and now naturalizes. Citizenship can ease licensing hurdles and open supervisory roles.
– A Lagos-born software engineer in Maryland whose spouse is a U.S. citizen may find the oath caps a decade-long journey, allowing freer international travel for work while safeguarding reentry to the United States.

These milestones—standing at an oath ceremony, receiving a Certificate of Naturalization—carry weight that numbers alone can’t show.

Policy landscape: pressures and possible changes (2024–2025)

The policy environment in 2024–2025 has grown more uncertain and could affect future naturalizations.

Key developments to watch:
– Trump Administration’s 2025 immigration policies: include stricter enforcement, reduced humanitarian relief, and discussion of expanded travel restrictions on countries labeled “high risk.”
– Project 2025 proposals: call for eliminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and reducing certain visa categories.
– Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 (Congressional proposal): would restrict birthright citizenship to children of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents if passed.

Potential impacts:
– Additional screening layers, reduced relief options, or slower approvals could affect applicants from Africa, including Nigeria.
– Civil rights groups warn such changes may push more people into unstable status, reducing the pool eligible to naturalize.
– The Migration Policy Institute cautions that ending birthright citizenship could increase the number of children without secure status, complicating future paths to naturalization.

Advocacy organizations are monitoring proposals and potential executive actions closely. Some foresee legal challenges if sweeping measures advance. For now, the core naturalization framework remains in place, but tighter enforcement and program cuts could reduce the number of applicants reaching citizenship in future years.

The naturalization process today

Despite policy uncertainty, the mechanics of becoming a U.S. citizen remain steady:

1. File Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
2. Attend a biometrics appointment.
3. Complete an interview with a USCIS officer.
4. If approved, take the oath of allegiance.

Notes and cautions:
– USCIS processing times vary by field office and can change with staffing, policy priorities, and demand.
– Applicants with criminal histories, extended time outside the United States, or immigration court issues may face closer review.
– Many applicants who filed late in 2021 or early 2022 saw faster adjudications after backlogs eased.

Resources:
– Official form at Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
– USCIS provides eligibility rules, civics test study materials, and case status tools.
– DHS publishes annual statistics for trend context and local planning.

Practical advice for prospective applicants

Legal aid groups and community centers recommend:

• If you already qualify, consider applying sooner rather than later.
• Review continuous residence and physical presence rules before filing.
• Keep tax filings and Selective Service registration (for eligible males) in order.
• Prepare for the English and civics tests using official materials.
• Bring complete documentation to your interview, including passports, green card, and any court records.

Looking ahead: trends and uncertainties

The DHS data released in August 2025 fit into a longer trend:

• The African-born population in the United States has more than doubled since 2000.
• Nigerians have consistently stood out in professional achievements and naturalization rates.
• Through the pandemic, Nigerians recorded thousands of completions each year—8,930 (2020), 10,921 (2021), 14,438 (2022), 13,530 (2023)—totaling 47,819 across four years.

Analysts (including VisaVerge.com) note that those who started the process before COVID-19 often benefited from the post-pandemic surge in adjudications, while newer applicants benefited from increased interview capacity in 2022.

Two fronts to watch:
– Congressional action on the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025, which could reshape how future generations receive citizenship at birth.
– Whether the Trump Administration’s enforcement posture results in new travel restrictions or narrower relief categories that reduce the number of lawful permanent residents, the main pool feeding naturalizations.

Any drop in the green card pipeline would likely ripple into lower citizenship numbers later. If litigation slows or blocks parts of these agendas, naturalization flows may remain steady.

Key takeaways

Nigerians led Africa in U.S. naturalizations from 2019–2023 with 47,819 completions, while Africans collectively recorded 341,884 naturalizations in that period.

• The post-pandemic rebound—especially in 2022—drove a sharp increase in completions.
• Policy changes proposed in 2024–2025 could reduce future applicant pools, but the current naturalization process and eligibility rules remain intact.
• Practical steps exist for those eligible now: apply, prepare documentation, and study for tests to avoid delays.

With attention to eligibility and timing, many Nigerians and other African immigrants are likely to continue becoming U.S. citizens in the years ahead, raising their right hands at oath ceremonies and gaining new civic rights and opportunities.