Lessons Plateau can learn from US Policy of Citizenship

Plateau State has grappled with the concept of citizenship for decades, a predicament that America resolved over a century ago. In the northern towns of Jos North, Barkin-Ladi, and Riyom, the dividing line between "indigene" and "settler" has determined access to jobs, education, and even life itself. The United States addressed a comparable crisis by enshrining citizenship within its Constitution.

The 14th Amendment (1868) declares that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the nation and the state where they reside. This order of citizenship is crucial; being an American first, then a state citizen, regardless of one's location.

In Nigeria's Plateau, however, the situation is reversed. A resident who has lived in Jos for forty years, paid taxes, and buried their loved ones there can still be deemed a "settler" and denied indigene status. This certificate is the gateway to numerous opportunities. Plateau should emulate America's system, which offers national citizenship, not one subject to local political whims. If someone resides in Plateau, they should be considered a Plateau citizen.

Another lesson from America's model is the principle of jus soli, or right of the soil. In America, a person born within the country's borders is automatically a citizen, irrespective of their parents' origins. This concept has been a foundation of America's diverse society. But in Plateau, a child born in Jos North to parents who immigrated from Kano decades ago is still considered a "settler" in 2026. This perpetuates the creation of permanent outsiders.

Naturalization, the process through which a foreigner can become a citizen in America, is a clear, straightforward procedure. A person must reside in the country for five years, pass an exam, and pledge allegiance. No political figure or traditional leader can obstruct this path. In Plateau, however, there is no established pathway for long-term residents to become indigenes; it remains at the discretion of politics and sentiment.

To address this, Plateau State Assembly should pass a Residency Law, granting those who have lived continuously in a Local Government for a specified period—perhaps ten years, paid taxes, and have no criminal record—automatic rights and privileges, including the indigene certificate, scholarships, and appointments.

The indigene/settler divide in Plateau has often been weaponized to protect the majority and oppress minorities, exacerbating tensions and violence. In contrast, America's federal system has historically safeguarded the rights of minority groups, such as freed slaves, from local prejudices. Governor Caleb Mutfwang now has an opportunity to lead Plateau into a future free from the politics of indigene certificates, focusing instead on residency.

Citizenship in America is not about erasing culture; it is about rights. The Republic's citizens retain their cultures, languages, and traditional leaders. Citizenship is about rights, not culture. America is not without its flaws, but it demonstrates the importance of a unified citizenship for the nation's development. Plateau cannot claim the titles "Home of Peace and Tourism" while its residents are treated as outsiders.

It is high time for Plateau to learn from America's experience: one citizenship, one people, equal rights.