Canada has rejected 1,596 asylum applications submitted by Nigerian nationals in 2025, according to updated figures from the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) as of August 21.
The data shows that of the 3,548 claims filed by Nigerians this year, 2,292 were accepted, giving an acceptance rate of approximately 65%.
Nigerians remain among the top sources of asylum seekers globally, alongside Mexico, India, Haiti, and Colombia. The increase in applications is largely attributed to ongoing insecurity, particularly Boko Haram insurgency, and economic instability in Nigeria. Ontario and Alberta host the largest concentrations of Nigerian asylum seekers.
The IRB grants refugee protection if an applicant meets the United Nations 1951 Convention criteria, which include a substantiated fear of persecution based on race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group. Applicants must demonstrate credible risk of torture, threat to life, or cruel treatment if returned home.
Between 2013 and 2024, the IRB rejected a cumulative 13,171 Nigerian applications while granting refugee status to 10,580 applicants. In 2024 alone, 811 Nigerians were denied protection, while 2,230 were approved.
Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi, Executive Director of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, noted that irregular migration due to economic hardship is a major driver of rejections. She stressed that proper documentation and understanding of immigration laws are critical for successful asylum claims.
“Migration must be safe, orderly, and regular. Even if status is irregular, those genuinely in need of protection should be granted it,” Ladipo-Sanusi said.
The data highlights both the demand for refugee protection in Canada and the challenges Nigerians face in meeting stringent legal and procedural requirements.
