An American man popularly known as Oyinbo has stirred reactions after lamenting the frustrating process of obtaining a Nigerian passport despite being legally married to a Nigerian woman. The man, visibly upset, shared his frustrations in a viral video that has garnered attention on social media. In the video, he appeared alongside his Nigerian wife, where they both expressed their dissatisfaction with the country’s immigration policy, particularly as it pertains to foreign spouses of Nigerian women.
The man explained that after researching the process, he discovered a significant disparity between the treatment of foreign spouses based on gender. He noted that a foreign woman married to a Nigerian man can easily gain Nigerian citizenship and obtain a passport, whereas a foreign man married to a Nigerian woman is required to live in Nigeria for at least 15 years before being eligible for the same rights. He voiced his concerns, saying, “It’s not right,” pointing out that despite being legally married to a Nigerian woman and having two children together, he is still unable to be recognized as a Nigerian citizen.
His wife also joined in the criticism, expressing her belief that the current policy is discriminatory and outdated. She suggested that it unfairly favors foreign women over foreign men, and the couple both agreed that the law does not reflect the realities of modern, cross-cultural marriages. They appealed to the Nigerian government to reassess and revise the country’s immigration and citizenship laws to ensure fairness and equality for all spouses, regardless of gender. The couple stressed the importance of updating laws in line with the growing trend of international marriages, where one partner is from a different nationality.
The video has sparked widespread discussions on social media, with many Nigerians agreeing with the couple’s sentiments and advocating for changes in the country’s immigration and citizenship policies. Social media users have called for reform, urging the government to address the discriminatory practices that currently exist in the system. The debate continues to unfold online, with some supporting the man’s call for change, while others defend the current system, arguing that it is based on national and cultural norms.
Watch the video below …
“I’m married to a Nigerian woman—why can’t I get a Nigerian passport?”– Frustrated Oyibo husband speaks out pic.twitter.com/HXflel2DJc
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) April 4, 2025