In the first quarter of this year, the number of Nigerians migrating to Canada has experienced a remarkable surge, reaching its highest level in nine years.

According to data from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a total of 5,755 individuals from Nigeria were granted Permanent Resident (PR) status in Q1 2023. This figure represents a significant increase of 32.5 percent compared to the same period in 2022, when 4,345 Nigerians were granted PR status.

The number of Nigerians migrating to Canada witnessed a significant quarter-on-quarter increase of 14.9 percent, reaching a total of 5,010 individuals. In terms of the full year 2022, the growth was even more substantial, with a surge of 41.9 percent to 22,130 individuals compared to 15,595 in the previous year.

Toyyib Adelodun, a UK-based immigration consultant, highlighted that Canada, similar to the United Kingdom and other European countries, is grappling with skill shortages, prompting the nation to embrace immigration in recent years. Adelodun further emphasized the contrasting immigration processes between the UK and Canada, noting that while the UK may have easier entry requirements, it typically takes a longer time to obtain citizenship. On the other hand, Canada adopts a more accommodating approach, allowing individuals to visit the country while their Permanent Resident (PR) applications are being processed.

Oludayo Sokunbi, founder and CEO of JapaConsults, an academic consulting firm, added that Canada permits spouses to accompany their partners as visitors while awaiting PR approvals. This flexibility contributes to the appeal of immigrating to Canada for many individuals.

According to him, "From the moment you step foot in Canada, you can accurately determine the precise year when you will attain permanent residency and citizenship."

In Canada, obtaining Permanent Resident (PR) status entails acquiring the privilege to reside and work in the country indefinitely, regardless of one's non-Canadian citizenship. Essentially, a PR status functions as an immigration visa that grants individuals access to a wide range of social and healthcare benefits, mirroring those enjoyed by Canadian citizens, while also affording them protection under Canadian law.

According to legal experts at First Immigration Law Firm in Canada, there are numerous avenues available for professionals and workers to qualify for a Canadian immigration permanent resident visa.

"The most prominent option is through Express Entry, which serves as Canada's primary pathway for skilled workers in the economic class. To enhance your eligibility for Express Entry, it is advisable to meet the requirements of either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class," they explained.

In addition, data from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveiled that Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, ranked fourth among Canada's top 10 sources of immigration. The leading countries on this list were the Philippines (8,070), China (11,390), and India (46,055). The remaining six countries included the United States (4,265), France (3,825), Pakistan (3,095), Brazil (3,060), Eritrea (3,025), and Afghanistan (2,905).

Canada is faced with the challenge of an aging population and declining birth rate, leading to a decrease in its workforce. To counter this, the country has ramped up its efforts to attract a large influx of young and dynamic immigrants through immigration-friendly policies.

In the previous year, the Canadian federal government unveiled an ambitious plan to welcome 500,000 immigrants annually by 2025, resulting in approximately 1.5 million new immigrants settling in the country within the next three years. In 2022, Canada successfully admitted 437,120 permanent residents (PRs), reflecting an impressive increase of nearly eight percent compared to the total number of PRs admitted in 2021.

"In a statement, Sean Fraser, the immigration minister of Canada, expressed that the immigration levels plan will be instrumental in assisting businesses in finding the workforce they require."

He stated that the new targets would not only enable the country to fulfill its commitments in assisting those escaping violence and conflict in their home nations but also lead to a reduction in government-assisted refugee resettlements. The projected reduction is approximately one-third, with the number decreasing from 23,550 in 2023 to 15,250 in 2025.

In addition to permanent residents (PRs), Canada witnessed a notable increase of 17.8 percent in the issuance of study permits to individuals from Africa's most populous nation. As of December 31, 2022, the number of study permits granted to Nigerian students rose to 16,195, compared to 13,745 in the corresponding period of 2021. This places Nigeria as the fifth highest source country for new international students entering Canada.

Recent developments in Canada include the introduction of measures aimed at facilitating the relocation of families of recent immigrants to the country. These measures were announced shortly after the United Kingdom declared its intention to restrict the ability of foreign students to bring their families into the country starting next year.

During the same month, Canada also revealed that its express entry system had implemented a category-based selection approach to address labor shortages and stimulate economic growth.

According to Sokunbi of JapaConsults, Canada has stated that it is giving priority to families at the same time when the UK announced visa restrictions for families of international students. The introduction of a post-study visa and the ability to bring dependents were the primary reasons why people chose to migrate to the UK heavily between 2019 and 2023.

Now that the UK has cancelled these provisions, Sokunbi believes there is no incentive for students to choose the UK as their destination, and the next favorable English-speaking country is undoubtedly Canada.

Higher education and employment opportunities serve as significant drivers of permanent emigration. However, Nigeria's current challenges, such as high inflation, unemployment, and fragile economic growth, have become major factors compelling its citizens to seek better prospects in other countries.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that Nigeria's inflation rate, reflecting the increase in commodity prices, has surged to a 17-month high of 22.41 percent in May 2023. Simultaneously, the country's unemployment rate reached a record high of 33.3 percent as of 2020, exacerbating the security concerns within the nation.

In the previous year, the NBS estimated that 133 million Nigerians lived in multidimensional poverty, a significant increase from the 82.9 million individuals deemed poor according to national standards in 2019.

Kemi Ogunkoya, a leadership development strategist, pointed out that the departure of skilled individuals at the mid and high levels has detrimental effects on businesses, both in terms of talent availability and overall stability. This outflow of talent could lead to a depletion of skilled workers within businesses, eventually forcing them to seek talent from outside of Nigeria, potentially incurring higher costs.

McKinsey & Company warns that the flight of talent can have detrimental effects on performance, value generation, and the overall success of ongoing projects and organizations. Therefore, it is crucial for entities to establish talent retention plans promptly to mitigate these risks.

Damilola Adewale, an economic analyst based in Lagos, emphasizes the importance of government support for the private sector. Enhancing job creation capabilities and implementing structural reforms are essential measures that can improve the well-being of citizens and foster a higher quality of life.