Toronto, March 23, 2025| Canada has turned away more than 13,000 Nigerians seeking refugee protection over the past decade, with official figures revealing a stark trend in asylum rejections. Between January 2013 and December 2024, a total of 13,171 Nigerian claims were denied by the Canadian government, including 811 in 2024 alone. The data, released by the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, has sparked discussions about the challenges Nigerian applicants face and the reasons behind these decisions.
For many Nigerians, the dream of finding safety and a fresh start in Canada has hit a wall. The numbers tell a sobering story: alongside the rejections, 78 claims were withdrawn by applicants, while nearly 20,000 remain pending leaving thousands in limbo. But why are so many being turned away?
An immigration expert, speaking on the trend, pointed to a fundamental mismatch between the reasons driving these claims and Canada’s strict asylum criteria. “Most Nigerian applicants are fleeing economic hardship rather than direct persecution,” said Dr. Amina Okoye, a migration specialist based in Ottawa. “Canada’s refugee system is designed to protect those facing immediate threats to their lives violence, political oppression, or persecution based on race, religion, or identity. Economic struggles, no matter how severe, don’t meet that threshold.”
Okoye’s analysis aligns with broader patterns. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced years of economic challenges, including high unemployment, inflation, and a weakening currency. These pressures have pushed many to seek better opportunities abroad, often through asylum routes when other immigration pathways like skilled worker programs prove out of reach. But Canada’s system doesn’t bend for those cases. “It’s heartbreaking,” Okoye added. “People are desperate, but desperation alone isn’t enough under the law.”
The rejection rate hasn’t gone unnoticed back home. In Lagos, 34-year-old Chidi Eze, who once considered applying for asylum himself, expressed frustration. “You hear stories of people selling everything to get to Canada, only to be sent back. It’s not fair, but I get it, Canada can’t take everyone.” Eze’s sentiment reflects a mix of resignation and understanding that’s rippling through Nigerian communities, both at home and in the diaspora.
Still, it’s not a total shutout. In 2023 and 2024 combined, Canada accepted around 1,500 Nigerian asylum claims, suggesting that some applicants do successfully prove they face credible dangers like violence from groups such as Boko Haram or targeted persecution. For those who make it through, the relief is palpable. “I didn’t know if I’d survive back home,” said one successful claimant, a young woman from northern Nigeria who asked to remain anonymous. “Canada gave me a chance to live again.”
The high volume of Nigerian applications isn’t new. For years, Nigeria has topped the list of countries with pending refugee claims in Canada, a trend that intensified after tightened U.S. border policies under previous administrations pushed more migrants northward. Many crossed into Canada irregularly, hoping to find a more welcoming system. But as the numbers show, that hope often meets a firm reality check.
Canada’s immigration authorities have remained tight-lipped on individual cases, citing privacy, but the broader policy is clear: asylum is a lifeline for the persecuted, not an economic backdoor. With nearly 20,000 claims still in the queue, the wait continues for thousands of Nigerians and for each, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
As the debate unfolds, advocates are calling for clearer communication from Canada about what qualifies as a valid claim. “People need to know the rules before they risk everything,” Okoye said. For now, the story of these 13,171 rejections is a reminder of the fine line between seeking a better life and meeting the legal bar to stay.