At least 13,171 Nigerian asylum seekers had their refugee protection claims denied by the Canadian government between January 2013 and December 2024, according to official data from the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).

This figure includes 811 Nigerians rejected in 2024 alone, placing Nigeria among the top five countries with the most denied asylum claims. It ranked 5th, behind Mexico (2,954), India (1,688), Haiti (982), and Colombia (723).

Canada’s Refugee Protection Process

Canada grants refugee status only to individuals who meet the United Nations’ definition of a Convention refugee or are deemed in need of protection.

Under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, a refugee must have a well-founded fear of persecution due to their race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. These groups include individuals facing discrimination due to sexual orientation, gender identity, or health conditions such as HIV/AIDS.

Applicants must also demonstrate a risk of torture, loss of life, or cruel and inhumane treatment if deported back to their home country.

Why Nigerian Claims Were Denied

Many Nigerian asylum applications failed to meet Canada’s strict eligibility criteria.

From 2013 to 2024, 94 Nigerian claims were abandoned—often due to incomplete paperwork, incorrect contact details, or failure to attend hearings. Additionally, 78 claims were withdrawn, meaning the applicants chose not to proceed with their cases.

Meanwhile, 19,889 Nigerian asylum claims remain pending, awaiting final decisions.

A year-by-year breakdown shows a sharp increase in rejections over time:

• 2013-2015: 127, 241, and 248 rejections
• 2016-2018: 476, 917, and 1,777 rejections
• 2019 (peak year): 3,951 rejections
• 2020-2024: 1,770, 1,686, 728, 439, and 811 rejections, respectively

Nigeria Ranks 8th in Approved Asylum Claims

Despite the high rejection rate, Canada granted refugee status to 10,580 Nigerians over the past decade.

In 2024 alone, 2,230 Nigerians were granted asylum, placing Nigeria 8th among the top 10 countries with the most approved claims.

Other countries with high approval rates include Turkey (4,866), Mexico (4,363), Colombia (3,340), Iran (3,200), Pakistan (2,556), Haiti (2,211), Afghanistan (1,921), and Kenya (1,653).

Experts Weigh In on Migration Challenges

Migration experts argue that economic hardship is a primary driver of irregular migration.

According to Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi, Executive Director of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, many Nigerians fail to understand the legal requirements for asylum in Canada.

“Most times, many Nigerians miss it when they don’t understand the laws governing refugee status. Documentation is crucial. Coming irregularly gets you rejected. But ultimately, migration must be safe, orderly, and regular, and those who genuinely need protection should be accepted,” she told Sunday PUNCH.

However, development economist Aliyu Ilias warned that the mass migration of skilled Nigerian professionals to Canada and other Western countries is hurting the local economy.

“It’s a major concern because our professionals are leaving. The Nigerian government heavily subsidizes education for doctors, engineers, and other specialists. Losing them to countries like Canada means brain drain and a long-term economic decline,” Ilias said.

While some argue that Nigerians in the diaspora contribute through remittances, Ilias believes this is not enough to offset the loss. Reports show that Nigerians abroad sent an average of $20 billion annually between 2019 and 2021.

However, civil rights activist Deji Adeyanju dismissed remittances as an inadequate economic solution.

“Can we develop our economy with tokenism? Our best minds are leaving, from doctors to scientists and lawyers. The health sector is struggling. Japa syndrome is robbing Nigeria of its future,” Adeyanju lamented.

Final Thoughts

As thousands of Nigerians continue to seek refugee protection in Canada, the high rejection rate underscores the importance of understanding asylum laws and meeting eligibility criteria. While migration remains a personal choice, experts warn that brain drain could significantly impact Nigeria’s economic growth and development.