Why Canada Rejected 1596 Nigerian Asylum Applications in 2025
New figures released by Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) reveal that the country has rejected 1,596 asylum applications submitted by Nigerian nationals as of 2025. This information, current up to August 21, shows that Nigerian claimants filed a total of 3,548 applications during this period. Of these, 2,292 were accepted, resulting in an overall approval rate of around 65%, a relatively higher acceptance proportion compared with previous years’ rejection levels.
The updated statistics underline Nigeria’s continuing role as one of the principal sources of asylum seekers in Canada, alongside other countries such as Mexico, India, Haiti, and Colombia, according to an analysis from Maple Crest Law, a Canadian immigration firm.
Observers say that ongoing security challenges, including persistent violence from groups like Boko Haram and economic instability, have pushed many Nigerians to seek refuge abroad. Provinces such as Ontario and Alberta are among the primary destinations for those requesting asylum.
👉 Why Canada Rejected 1,596 Nigerian Asylum Applications: Latest Data Explained
Under Canadian law, refugee protection is granted when the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) determines that an applicant meets the United Nations’ definition of a refugee or qualifies as a person in need of protection. The 1951 UN Convention defines a refugee as someone who faces a well-founded fear of persecution due to factors such as race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, which can include gender identity, sexual orientation, women facing specific risks, and persons living with HIV/AIDS.
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To be successful, applicants must provide convincing evidence that returning to their home country would put them at serious risk of harm, torture, or cruel treatment. Protection claims are usually made at Canada’s ports of entry or directly to immigration officials, who determine whether a case should be referred to the IRB for assessment.
Historical data shows that, between 2013 and 2024, Canadian authorities denied 13,171 asylum applications from Nigerian citizens while granting protection to 10,580. Despite the significant number of rejections, Nigeria still ranks among the countries with the highest number of accepted claims.
