Canada has rejected over 13,000 asylum applications from Nigerians over the past decade, a troubling statistic that underscores the increasing difficulty Nigerians face in securing refugee protection in the country. According to official data from the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), a total of 13,171 Nigerians who applied for refugee protection between January 2013 and December 2024 were turned down. This includes 811 Nigerians who were denied asylum in 2024 alone.
Nigeria ranks fifth on the list of countries with the most rejected refugee claims in Canada, following Mexico, India, Haiti, and Colombia. The trend highlights the challenges Nigerians face when seeking refuge in Canada, as well as the broader issue of global migration and asylum-seeking.
In the years under review, Mexico had the highest number of rejected claims, with 2,954 rejections, while India followed with 1,688. Haiti and Colombia had 982 and 723 rejections, respectively. Despite these rejections, Nigeria also made its mark as one of the top 10 countries for the number of claims accepted, ranking 8th.
Canada’s refugee protection process is governed by the United Nations 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, which defines refugees as individuals who have a well-founded fear of persecution due to factors such as race, religion, political opinion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. To qualify for protection, applicants must prove they face a credible threat of harm, including torture or life-threatening conditions, should they return to their home country.
While refugee protection claims are often made upon arrival in Canada, the RPD determines whether a claimant meets the criteria outlined in Canadian law. Claims are rejected if applicants fail to provide sufficient evidence or do not meet the conditions required under the law.
The numbers of rejections varied from year to year. In 2013, Nigeria saw 127 claims denied, while 2014 and 2015 had 241 and 248 rejections, respectively. The highest number of rejections came in 2019, when 3,951 Nigerian applicants were turned down. Other years saw a significant decline, with 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 experiencing 1,770, 1,686, 728, 439, and 811 rejections, respectively.
Despite these rejections, a significant number of Nigerians have successfully gained refugee status in Canada. Between 2013 and 2024, 10,580 Nigerians were granted refugee status, with 2,230 being approved in 2024 alone. The data reveals that Nigeria remains among the top countries with the most claims accepted for refugee protection in Canada, alongside countries like Turkey, Mexico, and Iran.
Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi, Executive Director of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, explained that many Nigerians seek refuge abroad due to economic hardship and irregular migration. However, she highlighted that those who genuinely need protection should be accepted, regardless of their irregular migration status.
She highlighted the importance of understanding the legal frameworks governing refugee claims in various countries. According to Ladipo-Sanusi, irregular migration—such as undocumented entry into Canada—often results in rejection, as countries have specific regulations and criteria for absorbing refugees. She pointed out that documentation is crucial, and even those with irregular status but in need of protection should be given the opportunity to seek asylum.
While many Nigerians seek asylum in Canada to escape difficult conditions at home, the rise in asylum rejections has ignited a larger conversation about the migration of skilled professionals from Nigeria, particularly in the wake of the country’s ongoing economic and social challenges.
Aliyu Ilias, a development economist, expressed concerns about the negative impact of this migration on Nigeria’s economy. He explained that many Nigerian professionals, including doctors and engineers, are leaving the country for better opportunities abroad, contributing to a significant brain drain. These professionals, who often receive subsidized education in Nigeria, go on to build the economies of their new countries rather than contributing to Nigeria’s growth.
“It’s definitely a cause of concern because our professionals are moving, and it takes a whole lot to train these professionals,” Ilias said. “In the medical sector, Nigeria subsidizes a lot to get people trained. You cannot get trained as a medical doctor or an engineer abroad for a cheaper cost compared to what we get in Nigeria.”
He also pointed out that many of these professionals do not return to Nigeria after securing permanent residency abroad. This migration trend, commonly known as the “Japa” syndrome, has resulted in a loss of talent that could otherwise be used to address Nigeria’s pressing issues.
Despite the brain drain, there is a silver lining. Nigerian migrants have become an important source of remittances to their home country. According to reports, Nigerians in the diaspora remitted an average of $20 billion annually between 2019 and 2021. However, Ilias noted that while remittances are vital to Nigeria’s economy, they cannot replace the human capital lost when skilled professionals leave the country.
Deji Adeyanju, convener of the civil society group Concerned Nigerians, expressed similar concerns. He argued that Nigeria cannot sustain its economy on remittances alone. “How can we develop our economy with tokenism?” he questioned. “How can professionals migrating from a country be a good thing?”
Adeyanju highlighted the dire state of Nigeria’s health sector, where many doctors and medical personnel have migrated abroad. The exodus of talented professionals has further weakened the country’s infrastructure and economic potential.
As the migration of Nigerians continues, there is a growing need for policies that balance the rights of migrants with the country’s development needs. The Canadian refugee protection system, while offering asylum to those in need, also poses challenges for many Nigerian applicants who fail to meet the required criteria.
Moving forward, experts agree that Nigeria must focus on creating an environment where skilled professionals are encouraged to stay and contribute to the country’s development. Addressing economic hardship, improving governance, and ensuring better working conditions for professionals could help stem the tide of migration, while still providing asylum and protection for those who truly need it.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with its migration trends, the Canadian experience provides valuable lessons in the complexities of global migration and refugee protection. The country must find ways to support its citizens while safeguarding the rights of those fleeing persecution and hardship.
