Nnamdi Kanu honorary Georgia citizenship
The United States state of Georgia has granted Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), honorary citizenship and declared him a Goodwill Ambassador in a symbolic diplomatic gesture. The proclamation was officially signed by Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s Secretary of State, and dated January 16, 2026. The recognition was formally presented on January 23, 2026, in Milledgeville, Georgia, by State Representative Gabe Okoye, in a ceremony attended by officials including former Nigerian diplomat Uche Ajulu-Okeke, who received the certificate on Kanu’s behalf. The honour designates Kanu as an “Outstanding Citizen” of Georgia and suggests he be accorded courtesy and privilege as a Goodwill Ambassador should he travel or reside beyond the United States in the future. This development comes while Kanu remains incarcerated in Nigeria, serving a life sentence following conviction on treason and terrorism-related charges, a verdict he continues to challenge through appeals. Supporters view the honorary citizenship as international recognition of his political struggle and a form of international solidarity, while critics argue the gesture carries symbolic weight without legal effect and may complicate perceptions of Nigeria’s judicial process. The Georgia proclamation underscores the global attention Kanu’s case attracts and reflects the complex intersection of diaspora politics, international opinion, and domestic legal controversies.
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