- Birth: Any person born in Nigeria after the commencement of the 1999 Constitution is a citizen of Nigeria by birth.
- Descent: Any person born outside Nigeria with at least one Nigerian parent is a citizen of Nigeria by descent.
- Marriage: Any woman married to a Nigerian citizen is a citizen of Nigeria by marriage.
- Naturalisation: Any non-Nigerian who has lived in Nigeria for a continuous period of 15 years and has satisfied certain other requirements may apply to be naturalised as a Nigerian citizen.
- Citizenship by investment: The Nigerian government offers a citizenship-by-investment program that allows foreign investors who make a substantial investment in the country to obtain Nigerian citizenship.