Canada denies 1,596 Nigerian asylum claims in 2025
Canada has rejected 1,596 asylum applications from Nigerians so far in 2025, based on recent data from the Immigration and Refugee Board.The figures, as of August 21, show that Nigerian nationals have submitted 3,548 claims this year, with 2,292 being approved. This results in an acceptance rate of approximately 65 percent, which is better than previous years when the total number of rejections exceeded 13,000.
An analysis conducted by Maple Crest Law, a Canadian immigration firm, previously projected that there would be 3,455 Nigerian claims in early 2025, positioning the country among the leading sources of asylum seekers, alongside Mexico, India, Haiti, and Colombia.
According to the report, factors such as violence from Boko Haram and economic instability have driven many to leave, with Ontario and Alberta currently accommodating the highest numbers of asylum seekers.
The IMRB grants refugee protection in Canada if the RPD successfully verifies that an applicant meets the United Nations definition of a convention refugee, as incorporated into Canadian legislation, or that the individual is someone in need of protection.
The 1951 UN Convention regarding the Status of Refugees defines refugees as individuals who possess a well-founded fear of persecution due to their race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or affiliation with a particular social group, which can encompass sexual orientation, gender identity, being a woman, and individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
However, individuals seeking protection in Canada must provide evidence indicating the danger of torture, potential loss of life, or threats of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment if they return to their home country.
Typically, these protection requests are made when immigrants inform the Border Services Agency at any entry point upon their arrival in Canada or report to an immigration officer.
A guideline from the Refugee Board stated, “The officer determines whether the claim qualifies for referral to the IRB. If it qualifies, it is sent (‘referred’) to the RPD to initiate the refugee protection claim process.”
In comparison, official records indicate that in 2024 alone, 811 Nigerian claims were turned down, while 2,230 gained approval. From 2013 to 2024, the RPD rejected 13,171 applications from Nigerians and accepted 10,580, consistently placing the country among the top five for denials. Overall asylum applications in Canada surged after reaching a record 173,000 claims in 2024.
Nevertheless, data released by the Canadian Government show that applications have slightly decreased in 2025, with approximately 19,660 submitted in the first two months of the year; however, this figure remains well over pre-pandemic levels. The IRB, responsible for deciding refugee protection cases, has faced criticism for delays as its backlog has increased in recent years.
A comprehensive breakdown of the rejections since 2013 revealed that 127, 241, and 248 Nigerians faced denial of protection in 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively. Rejections totaled 476, 917, and 1,777 in 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively.
The year 2019 recorded the highest number of rejected claims, with 3,951 Nigerian applicants denied. On the other hand, 1,770, 1,686, 728, 439, and 811 individuals were denied protection in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively. Nevertheless, within the decade examined, 10,580 Nigerians were granted refugee status, with at least 2,230 receiving it from January to December 2024.
Official statistics listed Nigeria among the top ten countries with the most accepted claims, ranking 8th behind others such as Turkiye with 4,866, Mexico with 4,363, Colombia with 3,340, Iran with 3,200, Pakistan with 2,556, Haiti with 2,211, Afghanistan with 1,921, and Kenya with 1,653 accepted claims.
Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi, the Executive Director of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, shared in an interview that irregular migration driven by economic difficulties is frequently the primary reason for rejections.
She told The NigerianWatch, “Often, many Nigerians fail to succeed because they do not understand the laws governing refugee status as established in their selected destination.”
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