Nigerians warned against fake EU citizenship offers – Daily Trust

Mirsatori and iWorld have warned Nigerians against fraudulent offers to purchase European Union citizenship, urging prospective migrants and investors to pursue legitimate residency pathways through approved business and startup programmes.

Maksin Mayer Nikitin, Head of Migration Department at Mirsatori, said citizenship in European Union countries could not simply be purchased, cautioning Nigerians against misleading advertisements promising passports in exchange for money.

“It is impossible to buy citizenship in the European Union. The way that we are offering is a route to citizenship. It is not citizenship itself,” he said.

He explained that the company helps clients establish eligibility for residency through startup programmes, particularly in France and Spain, with applications assessed against the requirements of the relevant authorities.

He added that successful applicants may subsequently qualify to apply for citizenship through naturalisation, subject to the applicable laws and conditions.

According to Nikitin, France offers a pathway to citizenship after five years of residence for eligible applicants.

He said the programmes could benefit entrepreneurs seeking access to European markets, as well as families looking for improved educational opportunities, healthcare and living conditions.

Nikitin said that the firm had more than 100 Nigerian clients who had achieved positive results, with approximately another 100 applications undergoing processing.

Arturs Plepis, General Manager of iWorld, said the firm had operated in the European migration market for 15 years and currently considered France and Spain among its most practical residency options.

He added that personalised pathways could be explored for clients interested in other countries.

“If we talk about migration to the European Union, I would say that the way we are promoting here, getting a residency through the startup creation is a perfect entry ticket to the European Union because it’s a long-term solution,” he said.

Johnson Anorch of O&J Capital, a partner company working with iWorld and Mirsatori in Nigeria, said the collaboration was designed to help Nigerians identify international opportunities for business, investment and family relocation.

He noted that establishing a local presence had helped address concerns about trust, allowing prospective clients to meet representatives face-to-face and better understand the process.