Official · 02.10.2026Argentina announces South America's first Citizenship by Investment Programme→
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Nigerians and Argentine citizenship: a stronger passport, with careful paperwork

Nigerians by birth can add Argentine nationality without losing their own. The passport gain is large. The work is in documenting funds and legalising papers, because Nigeria is not an apostille country.

Updated 8 min readSourced from official announcements

Key facts

  • Cost: US$350,000 non-refundable contribution, or a US$800,000 government bond. A couple with two children under 18 starts at US$500,000.
  • Nigerian citizens by birth may hold another nationality. Citizens by registration or naturalisation may not.
  • The FATF removed Nigeria from its grey list on 24 October 2025.
  • Travel gain is large: Schengen and Japan visa-free, the UK on an ETA.
  • Nigeria is not in the Apostille Convention, so documents need consular legalisation.

For Nigerian families, Argentina’s programme offers one of the larger passport upgrades available at its price. But the file will be read closely. Argentina’s due diligence explicitly weighs jurisdictional risk and the traceability of funds. A well-prepared Nigerian application anticipates both.

This guide covers what is specific to Nigerian nationals. For the programme rules, start with our overview of Argentina citizenship by investment and the cost guide.

Note. Two Argentine appeal courts have ruled against DNU 366/2025, the decree that allows naturalisation through investment. On 18 June 2026 Chamber III of the federal civil and commercial appeals court struck down the parts that give citizenship decisions to Migraciones. On 30 June 2026 the Cámara Nacional Electoral declared the decree unconstitutional. The government has appealed to the Supreme Court and says the decree stays in effect until the ruling is final. Read our legal status page before you commit funds.

Dual citizenship under the Nigerian Constitution

Section 28(1) of the 1999 Constitution says a person forfeits Nigerian citizenship if, “not being a citizen of Nigeria by birth”, they acquire or retain another nationality that is not theirs by birth.

The effect is a clear split:

  • Nigerians by birth may become Argentine and remain Nigerian.
  • Nigerians by registration or naturalisation would lose Nigerian citizenship on becoming Argentine.

If your Nigerian citizenship came through marriage or naturalisation, take legal advice before you apply. Argentina itself allows dual nationality and does not ask new citizens to renounce. See our dual citizenship guide.

Mobility: what changes for a Nigerian passport holder

The July 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index places the Nigerian passport 91st, with 44 visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations. The Argentine passport ranks 16th, with 169.

Destination Nigerian passport Argentine passport
Schengen Area Visa required 90 days in 180
United Kingdom Visa required ETA (£20)
Japan Visa required 90 days visa-free
Mainland China Visa required 30 days visa-free until 31 Dec 2026
Brazil Visa required No visa; entry with Argentine ID card
United States Visa required Visa required (B1/B2)
Canada Visa required Visa required (eTA only in limited cases)

The gains in Europe, the UK and Japan are the heart of the case. North America is different. Argentina is not in the US Visa Waiver Program, so an Argentine still applies for a B1/B2 visa. For Canada, an eTA is possible only if you hold a Canadian visa from the last ten years or a valid US non-immigrant visa.

In South America, the Argentine identity card (DNI) is accepted as a travel document in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. Mercosur residence rights are a later benefit: Article 2 of the Agreement covers naturalised nationals only after five years of Argentine nationality. See our passport guide.

Due diligence: the FATF delisting and what it means

Nigeria was placed on the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring in February 2023. The FATF removed it on 24 October 2025, together with South Africa, Mozambique and Burkina Faso. As of the June 2026 plenary, Nigeria was not on the list.

That helps, but it does not lower the bar. Argentina’s checks cover:

  • identity verification;
  • the traceability and legality of funds;
  • financial and asset analysis;
  • jurisdictional risk;
  • criminal and reputational background;
  • migration history.

The standard is aligned with OECD and FATF practice. For Nigerian applicants, the strongest files show a continuous trail: company accounts, dividend records, property sale documents, tax clearance and bank statements that link each step. Politically exposed persons and their families should expect deeper review.

Moving the money: banking and foreign exchange

All funds must move through the formal financial system. Cash, informal transfers and third-party payments will not pass.

Outward transfers of this size go through an authorised dealer bank under Central Bank of Nigeria foreign-exchange rules. The CBN has issued many circulars on domiciliary accounts and foreign-exchange access in recent years. Confirm the current documentation with your bank well before the payment date.

Many Nigerian applicants will fund from wealth already held abroad, for example in a UK or UAE account. That is often simpler, provided you can show how the money reached that account.

Tax at home

The Nigeria Tax Act 2025 took effect on 1 January 2026. Under current law, individuals resident in Nigeria are taxed on their worldwide income, at rates up to 25%. Nationality is not the test, so becoming Argentine does not change your Nigerian tax position while you remain resident.

In Argentina, naturalisation through investment does not by itself make you an Argentine tax resident. A foreigner who moves there for reasons other than work generally becomes resident from the 13th month. Speak to a qualified tax adviser in both countries.

Documents: legalisation, not apostille

Nigeria is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Argentina is. So Nigerian documents cannot be apostilled for use in Argentina. Instead they need the longer chain:

  1. Certification by the issuing authority or a notary, where required.
  2. Authentication by the competent Nigerian authority.
  3. Legalisation by the Argentine embassy or consulate responsible for Nigeria.

Confirm the exact steps with that Argentine mission before you start, because requirements can differ by document type.

Allow extra weeks for this. Documents issued in other countries where you have lived, such as the UK, can be apostilled there.

Translation. English documents will need certified Spanish translations. The Agency had not published its document rules as of 2 October 2026, so confirm the format with Argentine counsel first.

Is it right for you?

It may suit you if:

  • You are a Nigerian citizen by birth and want visa-free access to Europe and Japan.
  • Your wealth is documented and already moves through formal banking channels.
  • You are planning for children’s education or business travel in Europe.

It is probably not right for you if:

  • You are a Nigerian citizen by registration or naturalisation and wish to stay Nigerian.
  • Your main aim is easier entry to the US or Canada.
  • You cannot accept uncertainty while Argentina’s Supreme Court considers the decree.

For a confidential assessment of your file, request a private briefing.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Will I lose Nigerian citizenship if I become Argentine?

Not if you are a Nigerian citizen by birth. Section 28 of the Constitution removes citizenship only from people who are not citizens by birth and who acquire or keep another nationality.

Is Nigeria still on the FATF grey list?

No. The FATF removed Nigeria from its list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring on 24 October 2025. Expect thorough source-of-funds checks all the same.

Can Nigerian documents be apostilled for Argentina?

No. Nigeria is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents need the full legalisation chain: authentication in Nigeria and then legalisation by an Argentine embassy or consulate.

Does the Argentine passport get me into the US or Canada without a visa?

No. Argentine citizens need a B1/B2 visa for the United States and a visa for Canada, with an eTA only in limited cases. The main gains are in Europe, the UK and Japan.

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