Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) has reported that 1,596 asylum claims from Nigerians have been denied so far in 2025, out of a total of 3,548 applications submitted.
However, 2,292 claims were approved, representing an acceptance rate of about 65%—a notable improvement compared to previous years when cumulative rejections exceeded 13,000.
This data, updated as of August 21, highlights Nigeria’s continued role as a top source of asylum seekers to Canada, alongside countries like Mexico, India, Haiti, and Colombia.
The surge in Nigerian asylum claims is attributed to persistent violence from Boko Haram and worsening economic instability.
Ontario and Alberta currently host the largest number of Nigerian asylum seekers, reflecting the provinces’ established Nigerian communities and access to legal support services.
Under Canadian law, refugee protection is granted if applicants meet the United Nations definition of a convention refugee or demonstrate credible evidence of danger, such as torture, threats to life, or cruel treatment upon return to their home country.
The IRB process begins when immigrants notify the Canada Border Services Agency at a port of entry or report to an immigration officer, who determines eligibility.
Eligible claims are referred to the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) for further review.
Despite improvements in acceptance rates, the IRB has faced criticism for delays as its backlog grows, with overall asylum applications remaining above pre-pandemic levels.
Between 2013 and 2024, Canada rejected 13,171 Nigerian claims while approving 10,580.
The peak year for rejections was 2019, with 3,951 applications denied.
In 2024, 811 Nigerian claims were rejected, while 2,230 were approved, placing Nigeria 8th globally among countries with the most accepted claims.
Other countries with high acceptance rates include Türkiye, Mexico, Colombia, Iran, Pakistan, Haiti, Afghanistan, and Kenya.