Nigerian writer, Solomon Buchi, has stirred controversy with his public declaration to only procure British passports for his children.
This decision, shared on his Twitter account, has attracted criticism from various quarters.
Buchi explained that he would delay obtaining Nigerian passports or citizenship for his children until they reach 18, allowing them to decide if they want to acquire Nigerian citizenship.
He justified his stance by suggesting that true patriotism can only emerge when citizens have pride in their government. However, citing his own negative experiences in the country, he expressed reluctance to encourage his children to live there.
In his post, he wrote:
“My children will be British citizens by birth, and I’m not getting them a Nigerian passport/citizenship until they turn 18 and can decide if they want to get a Nigerian passport.
If you think I’m not patriotic, use that your patriotism to buy you a bag of rice for 10K.”
Some reactions to his post
@koshinspiration advised: “Please go ahead. No problem. They may have British passports, but they can never be British. Go and check that well. The Britons know themselves, and when the push comes to the shove, they will be told by the real Britons…😁”
@josh_uglyasf said: “The people who will come here to drag you for this, most of them desire to have this too for their kids and would not even want their kids to visit Nigeria let alone have pp but let’s do social media shenanigans”
@Desmuyee wrote: “Be calming down, sir..No matter where you go, remember the road that leads you home.”
@Bigstan1477 added: “My 3 kids are Americans! I see nothing wrong in this decision. I love your idea.”
@nuelnazzy opined: “That doesn’t still guarantee they will end up doing better in life than people birthed and rised in Nigeria. Just let them have friends in Naija Sha in case.”