Canada Rejects Over 13,000 Nigerian Asylum Claims, Yet Hope Remains For Thousands.
In a significant development, the Canadian government has turned down 13,171 Nigerians seeking refugee protection between January 2013 and December 2024, according to newly released data from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). The figures, which include 811 rejections in 2024 alone, place Nigeria among the top five nations with the highest number of denied asylum claims, highlighting the challenges faced by applicants navigating Canada’s stringent refugee system.
Despite the high rejection rate, there is a silver lining: over the same period, 10,580 Nigerians were granted refugee status, including at least 2,230 in 2024. This demonstrates that while many applications fail to meet the criteria, thousands have successfully found sanctuary in Canada, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the stark statistics.
The Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the IRB assesses claims based on the United Nations’ definition of a Convention refugee, incorporated into Canadian law. Applicants must prove a well-founded fear of persecution due to factors such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. For many Nigerians, economic hardship—rather than persecution—appears to drive migration, a factor that often leads to rejection, according to experts.
A closer look at the data reveals a fluctuating trend. Rejections peaked in 2019, with 3,951 Nigerian claims denied, the highest in the 11-year span. This followed a steady rise from 127 in 2013 to 1,777 in 2018. More recently, numbers have moderated, with 439 refusals in 2023 and 811 in 2024. On the flip side, approvals have also varied, with a notable uptick in recent years—2,302 in 2021 and 1,315 in 2022—suggesting that some claims are increasingly meeting the required threshold.
Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi, Executive Director of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, told reporters that economic motivations often underpin irregular migration, leading to rejections. “Many Nigerians don’t fully grasp the legal nuances of refugee status in Canada,” she said. “Yet, those with genuine cases of persecution deserve protection, regardless of how they arrive.”
The broader context shows Nigeria ranking fifth globally for rejected claims, behind Mexico (2,954), India (1,688), Haiti (982), and Colombia (723). However, its eighth-place ranking among countries with the most accepted claims—including nations like Turkey and Afghanistan—underscores a dual narrative of struggle and success.
For those granted asylum, Canada offers a fresh start. Stories of resilience abound, with many Nigerians contributing to their new communities. “It’s not just about the numbers,” said a Nigerian community leader in Toronto, who wished to remain anonymous. “Each approval represents a life rebuilt, a family reunited.”
As the debate over immigration policies continues, the Canadian government faces calls to balance security and humanitarian commitments. For now, while 13,171 dreams have been deferred, the 10,580 approvals signal that Canada remains a beacon of hope for many fleeing hardship in Nigeria. With ongoing legal and social support, advocates hope more will find a path to safety in the years ahead.
