Canada Rejects Asylum Claims from Over 13,000 Nigerians in Over a Decade
Canada has rejected the refugee protection claims of 13,171 Nigerians between January 2013 and December 2024, according to data from the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). This figure includes 811 Nigerians whose claims were denied in 2024 alone, placing Nigeria among the top five countries with the highest number of rejected asylum applications.
The data, reported by Sunday PUNCH, reveals that Nigeria ranks fifth in terms of rejected claims, following Mexico (2,954 rejections), India (1,688), Haiti (982), and Colombia (723). During the same period, 10,580 Nigerians were granted refugee status, including 2,230 successful claims in 2024. Despite these approvals, Nigeria also ranks eighth among countries with the highest number of accepted claims, alongside nations such as Turkiye, Mexico, and Iran.
The IRB grants refugee protection to applicants who meet the United Nations definition of a Convention refugee or are deemed persons in need of protection. According to the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, a refugee is someone with a well-founded fear of persecution due to their race, nationality, religion, political beliefs, or membership in a particular social group, which can include factors such as sexual orientation, gender identity, or being a woman. Applicants must also provide evidence of risks such as torture, threats to their life, or cruel and unusual treatment if forced to return to their home country.
Refugee claims are typically made when immigrants notify the Canada Border Services Agency upon arrival at a Canadian port of entry or report to an immigration officer. If the claim is deemed eligible, it is referred to the RPD for processing. However, many claims are rejected due to insufficient evidence or failure to meet the stringent criteria.
Between 2013 and 2024, 94 claims from Nigerian passport holders were abandoned, often due to procedural issues such as failing to submit required documentation on time, providing incorrect contact information, or missing hearings. Additionally, 78 claims were withdrawn, and 19,889 claims remain pending.
A breakdown of rejections over the years shows a fluctuating trend. In 2013, 127 Nigerian claims were denied, rising to 241 in 2014 and 248 in 2015. The numbers surged to 476 in 2016, 917 in 2017, and 1,777 in 2018, peaking at 3,951 rejections in 2019. The figures declined to 1,770 in 2020, 1,686 in 2021, 728 in 2022, 439 in 2023, and 811 in 2024.
On the other hand, acceptance rates for Nigerian applicants have also varied. Fewer than 20 claims were approved in 2013, increasing to 308 in 2014, 394 in 2015, and 389 in 2016. The numbers rose to 764 in 2017, 755 in 2018, and 1,733 in 2019. In 2020, 1,534 claims were approved, followed by 2,302 in 2021, 1,315 in 2022, and 2,230 in 2024.
The high rejection rates highlight the challenges faced by Nigerian asylum seekers in proving their eligibility for refugee protection. Many applicants struggle to provide sufficient evidence of persecution or risk upon return to Nigeria, a country grappling with issues such as insecurity, political instability, and human rights abuses. However, the acceptance of over 10,000 claims over the past decade also underscores the recognition of genuine cases of persecution and the need for international protection.
The data reflects broader global trends in asylum applications, with many countries tightening their immigration policies and scrutinizing claims more rigorously. For Nigeria, the high number of rejections and pending cases raises questions about the adequacy of support and resources available to asylum seekers navigating the complex refugee determination process.
As Canada continues to process thousands of asylum claims annually, the situation underscores the need for balanced and fair immigration policies that protect vulnerable individuals while maintaining the integrity of the refugee system. For Nigerian applicants, the journey to securing refugee status remains fraught with challenges, requiring robust evidence and legal support to navigate the stringent requirements of international protection.
The implications of these rejections extend beyond the individuals involved, highlighting the broader issues of migration, displacement, and the global responsibility to protect those fleeing persecution. As the world grapples with increasing migration flows, the need for comprehensive and humane solutions to address the root causes of displacement has never been more urgent.
