Between January 2013 and December 2024, Canada denied refugee protection to 13,171 Nigerian applicants. In 2024 alone, 811 Nigerians had their asylum claims rejected.
Data from the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada indicates that Nigeria ranks fifth among countries with the highest number of rejected asylum claims. Other countries with significant rejections include Mexico (2,954), India (1,688), Haiti (982), and Colombia (723).
Experts attribute the high rejection rates to several factors, including irregular migration patterns and a lack of comprehensive understanding of Canada's refugee laws among applicants. This trend underscores the challenges faced by Nigerian asylum seekers and highlights the need for better awareness and adherence to legal migration processes.