American music icon Ciara Wilson is now officially a citizen of Benin after receiving her citizenship certificate in a special ceremony held on July 26, 2025. The Grammy Award–winning singer traced her ancestry to the West African nation, making the moment a deeply personal homecoming.
The symbolic event, aimed at reconnecting Benin with its diaspora, was attended by key figures in the Beninese government. Among those present were Mr. Yvon Detchénou, Minister of Justice and Legislation; Mr. Babalola Jean-Michel H. Abimbola, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts; Mr. Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Sinde Chekete, Director General of Benin Tourism; and Mrs. Claude Borna, Director General of the Semè City Development Agency.
Ciara was not alone in receiving this honor. Two other Afro-descendants, David Smeralda and Joseph Gabendy, were also granted citizenship certificates during the ceremony.
Ahead of the official event, Ciara embarked on a journey across Benin, visiting historical landmarks like the city of Ouidah, walking the symbolic Slave Route, and pausing at the Gate of No Return, a site representing the millions taken from the continent during the transatlantic slave trade. In a video shared on social media, she is seen embracing local culture and chanting in a Beninese language, capturing the emotion of reconnecting with her ancestral homeland.
This citizenship initiative highlights Benin’s commitment to acknowledging its historical legacy and opening its doors to descendants of the African diaspora worldwide. By welcoming these new citizens, Benin positions itself as both a land of memory and a place for new beginnings.
