US State Grants Nnamdi Kanu Honorary Citizenship

The state of Georgia in the United States has conferred honorary citizenship on the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in a development that is already stirring debate within diplomatic and political circles.




Kanu, who is currently serving a life sentence at the Sokoto Correctional Centre following his conviction on terrorism-related charges by the Nigerian government, was declared an Honorary Georgia Citizen through an official proclamation issued by the Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger.




The proclamation, dated January 16, 2026, also recognised the IPOB leader as a Goodwill Ambassador from Georgia, urging that he be accorded courtesies befitting the status in his engagements and travels.




According to the document, Raffensperger stated: “I, Brad Raffensperger, Secretary of State of the State of Georgia, do hereby proclaim Nnamdi Okwu Kanu as an Honorary Georgia Citizen.




“May this outstanding citizen be accorded every courtesy as a Goodwill Ambassador from Georgia in his travels to other states, to nations beyond the borders of the United States of America, or wherever he may hereafter travel or reside.”




The proclamation was formally received on Kanu’s behalf by a former Nigerian ambassador to South Africa, Mr Uche Ajulu, at an event held in Georgia on Friday.