More than 13,000 Nigerians have had their asylum applications denied in Canada over the past eleven years, according to figures from the country’s Immigration and Refugee Board.
From January 2013 to December 2024, at least 13,171 Nigerians were refused refugee protection after failing to meet Canada’s criteria, which require proof of persecution, conflict, or serious threats in their home country.
Canada, a top destination for asylum seekers worldwide, has recorded a surge in applications, but Nigerian claims remain among the most frequently rejected. Authorities say the high refusal rate reflects both the strict standards of Canada’s system and the increasing migration pressure from Nigeria.
Sunday Buna Ibrahim is a seasoned journalist with Daily Frontier (dailyfrontier.com.ng), where he reports on security, conflicts, and humanitarian issues across Nigeria’s Middle Belt, particularly Plateau and Benue States. He also serves as a News Producer at Vision FM Radio in Abuja. Prior to joining Daily Frontier, he worked with Radio Nigeria, Fombina FM Yola in Adamawa State between 2019 and 2020.
