The Canadian government has denied refugee protection to at least 13,171 Nigerians between January 2013 and December 2024, including 811 rejections recorded in 2024.
Official data from the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada ranked Nigeria among the top five countries with the most rejected claims, alongside Mexico (2,954), India (1,688), Haiti (982), and Colombia (723).
Canada grants refugee protection only if an applicant meets the United Nations definition of a refugee or proves they face risks such as torture or life-threatening harm in their home country.
Statistics reveal that 19,889 Nigerian refugee claims are still pending, while 94 were abandoned and 78 withdrawn during the period under review.
Nigeria also ranks among the top 10 countries with the most successful claims, securing the 8th position.
A total of 10,580 Nigerians were granted refugee status between 2013 and 2024, including 2,230 approvals in 2024.
Commenting on the high rejection rate, Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi, Executive Director of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, attributed the trend to economic hardship-driven irregular migration. She emphasized the need for proper documentation to avoid rejection.
Development economist Aliyu Ilias raised concerns about the long-term impact of migration, warning that Nigeria is losing skilled professionals trained with subsidized education.
He described the trend as a “total brain drain” that weakens the economy.