Canada has denied more than 1,596 asylum applications from Nigerians between January and August 2025, according to new figures released by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).
Out of 3,548 claims submitted within the period, 2,292 were approved, representing an acceptance rate of about 65 percent. This is higher than in previous years and reflects the growing number of Nigerians seeking refuge in Canada. Nigeria remains one of the top countries of origin for asylum seekers, alongside Mexico, India, Haiti, and Colombia.
Experts link the surge in Nigerian asylum claims to worsening insecurity driven by extremist groups such as Boko Haram, coupled with widespread economic hardship. Many of the applicants have settled in Canadian provinces like Ontario and Alberta, where immigrant communities are expanding rapidly.
Under Canadian law, asylum seekers are eligible for protection if they qualify as refugees under United Nations guidelines or face credible risks of torture, persecution, or inhumane treatment in their home country. Vulnerable groups, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people living with HIV/AIDS, are often prioritized for refugee status. Claims are typically filed at border points or through immigration officers before being reviewed by the Refugee Protection Division.
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Despite the improved acceptance rate in 2025, Nigerian applicants continue to face significant hurdles. Between 2013 and 2024, Canada rejected 13,171 asylum claims from Nigerians, while approving 10,580. The highest rejection figure came in 2019 when 3,951 cases were denied. In 2024 alone, 811 Nigerian applications were rejected against 2,230 approvals. Last year, Nigeria ranked eighth among the top 10 countries with successful asylum cases, behind Turkey, Mexico, Colombia, Iran, Pakistan, Haiti, and Afghanistan.
Speaking on the high rejection rates, the Executive Director of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi, said many Nigerians lack adequate knowledge of Canada’s refugee laws, leading to incomplete or poorly presented applications. She stressed the need for proper awareness campaigns to guide applicants on the complex asylum process.
With thousands of Nigerians still seeking a better life abroad, Canada’s latest asylum figures underscore the growing tension between migration hopes and the strict realities of immigration law.
