Canada denies nearly 1,600 Nigerian asylum claims in 2025
By kalu Blessing
Canada has rejected 1,596 asylum applications filed by Nigerians so far this year, according to fresh data from the Immigration and Refugee Board.The figures, updated to 21 August, show that Nigerians submitted 3,548 claims in 2025, with 2,292 approved, representing an acceptance rate of about 65 per cent. By comparison, 811 Nigerian applications were denied in 2024, while 2,230 were granted. Between 2013 and 2024, more than 13,000 Nigerians had their claims refused, while just over 10,500 were accepted.
Nigeria has consistently ranked among the top sources of asylum seekers to Canada, alongside Mexico, India, Haiti and Colombia. Analysts attribute the high number of applications to insecurity driven by Boko Haram and widespread economic hardship. Under Canadian law, applicants must prove a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political belief or membership of a social group, including sexual orientation or gender identity. They must also show they face risk of torture, death, or cruel and degrading treatment if returned to their home country. Many claims are lodged upon arrival at Canadian border points or through immigration officers, who decide whether cases can be referred to the Refugee Protection Division. Official figures indicate asylum applications reached a record 173,000 in 2024 before easing slightly this year, though demand remains far above pre-pandemic levels.
Commenting on the trend, Executive Director of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi, said irregular migration driven by economic pressures often results in rejection. “Most Nigerians miss it when they do not understand the laws guiding refugee status in their chosen destination. Documentation is crucial because entering irregularly often leads to rejection. But ultimately, migration must be safe, orderly and regular, and those genuinely in need of protection should be protected,” she said.