- Canada rejected 1,596 asylum claims from Nigerian nationals in 2025, with 2,292 approved out of 3,548 total applications
- Maple Crest Law ranked Nigeria among top sources of asylum seekers alongside Mexico, India, Haiti, and Colombia
- Experts cited Boko Haram violence, economic hardship, and irregular migration as key drivers behind the high volume of claims
Canada has denied a total of 1,596 asylum claims filed by Nigerian nationals so far in 2025, according to fresh data from the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). The updated figures, which reflect claims processed up to 21 August, show that Nigerians submitted 3,548 claims this year, with 2,292 of those approved—an acceptance rate of approximately 65 per cent.
The acceptance rate marks a notable increase compared to previous years, during which rejections for Nigerian asylum seekers cumulatively surpassed 13,000. Analysts suggest the shift may reflect a growing recognition of the complex political and economic factors fuelling migration from Nigeria.
An earlier report by Maple Crest Law, a Canadian immigration practice, had estimated Nigerian asylum claims to be around 3,455 in early 2025. This placed Nigeria among the top five sources of asylum seekers in Canada, alongside Mexico, India, Haiti and Colombia.
According to the report, the rise in Nigerian claims is largely driven by ongoing violence from terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, as well as persistent economic instability. These conditions have forced many Nigerians to seek refuge in countries with stronger protections for human rights and safety.
Currently, Ontario and Alberta provinces host the largest concentrations of asylum seekers in Canada.
Under Canadian law, refugee protection is granted when the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the IRB determines that a claimant meets the United Nations definition of a refugee, or qualifies as a person in need of protection. The UN’s 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees defines refugees as individuals who face a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.
Such social groups may include gender identity, sexual orientation, women at risk, and individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
To qualify for protection in Canada, claimants must present evidence demonstrating a credible risk of torture, life-threatening danger, or exposure to cruel and unusual treatment if returned to their home country. Asylum applications are typically made at Canadian ports of entry or immigration offices, where an officer determines whether the claim is eligible to be referred to the IRB.
“If the claim is eligible, it is sent (‘referred’) to the RPD to start the refugee protection process,” reads the application guideline published by the Refugee Board.
By comparison, 2024 saw 811 Nigerian claims rejected, with 2,230 approved. Since the adoption of a revised refugee determination system in December 2012, Canada has turned down 13,171 Nigerian applications and approved 10,580 between 2013 and 2024.
The year 2019 recorded the highest number of Nigerian rejections, with 3,951 claims refused. In contrast, more recent years have seen a decline in rejections: 1,770 in 2020, 1,686 in 2021, 728 in 2022, 439 in 2023, and 811 in 2024.
Despite this history of high rejections, Nigeria remained among the top ten countries with the most accepted asylum claims in Canada. In 2024, Nigeria ranked 8th, behind Türkiye (4,866), Mexico (4,363), Colombia (3,340), Iran (3,200), Pakistan (2,556), Haiti (2,211), and Afghanistan (1,921), but ahead of Kenya (1,653).
Canada’s overall asylum demand has continued to rise, with 2024 marking a record year with over 173,000 claims filed. Although 2025 saw a slight easing, with about 19,660 claims recorded in the first two months, the numbers remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The IRB has faced growing criticism for the increasing backlog in processing refugee applications, as demand continues to outpace its capacity.
Speaking, Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi, Executive Director of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF), said that many Nigerians fail to understand the legal frameworks governing refugee protection in countries like Canada.
“Most times, many Nigerians miss it when they don’t understand the laws governing refugee status as adopted in their chosen destination. Every country has its regulations for absorbing people into its system,” she said.
“For one, documentation is crucial because coming irregularly will get you rejected from their system. But ultimately, everybody’s rights must be protected. Migration must be safe, orderly and regular. Even if their status is irregular, those who really need protection should be protected.”
As the world grapples with shifting migration patterns and increasing humanitarian needs, Canada continues to be a popular destination for asylum seekers. For thousands of Nigerians, however, the path to protection remains uncertain.
UK introduces laws against AI-generated child sexual abuse images
Earlier, TheRadar reported that the United Kingdom became the first nation to introduce legislation aimed at combating AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
The new laws, announced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper on February 2, 2025, criminalise the creation and distribution of AI tools used to generate such harmful content.
The move targeted not only the creation of AI-generated abuse material but also the websites that facilitate its sharing and discussion.
