Global music icon Ciara was officially conferred Beninese citizenship in a historic and deeply meaningful ceremony held on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The event, hosted in Cotonou, was attended by senior government officials, including the Ministers of Justice, Culture, and Foreign Affairs, marking a profound moment of reconnection and recognition.
The citizenship honor follows Ciara’s recent DNA ancestry test, which revealed that a significant portion of her heritage traces back to Benin. Moved by this discovery, the singer embarked on a cultural pilgrimage across the country, immersing herself in local history and traditions.
As part of her journey, Ciara visited Ouidah, a historic city central to the transatlantic slave trade. There, she walked the Slave Route and stood at the symbolic Gate of No Return—a moment she described as “deeply emotional and grounding.”
The Beninese government praised Ciara for embracing her ancestry and using her platform to shine a global spotlight on the nation’s rich cultural legacy. Officials noted that her homecoming represents a powerful example of Pan-African unity and the importance of reclaiming lost histories.
This honor places Ciara among a growing number of diasporan Africans who are reconnecting with their ancestral roots and being welcomed back into the fold as citizens of the continent.