The Canada has denied 1,596 asylum claims filed by Nigerians as fresh data from the Immigration and Refugee Board showed in 2025, with the figures, updated to August 21, indicating that Nigerian nationals filed 3,548 claims so far this year, of which 2,292 were accepted.
Penpushing reports that an analysis by Maple Crest Law, a Canadian immigration practice, earlier estimated 3,455 Nigerian claims in early 2025, placing the country among the top sources of asylum seekers alongside Mexico, India, Haiti and Colombia.
The Ontario and Alberta currently host the largest numbers of asylum seekers, with records of rejection puts the acceptance rate at about 65 per cent, higher than in previous years when rejections cumulatively amounted to over 13,000.
The IMRB grants refugee protection in Canada if the RPD satisfactorily confirms that an applicant or claimant meets the United Nations definition of a convention refugee, which has been incorporated into Canadian law, or that the applicant is a person in need of protection.”
Penpushing further reports that the 1951 United Nations (UN) Convention relating to the Status of Refugees defines refugees as persons who have a substantiated fear of persecution because of their race, nationality, religion, political ideology or membership in a particular social group.
The such social groups can include sexual orientation, gender identity, being a woman and persons living with HIV/AIDS, however, persons asking for protection in Canada must show evidence portending danger of torture, risk to their life or risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment should they return to their country of nationality.
Penpushing also reports such protection claims are made when immigrants notify the Border Services Agency at any port of entry upon arriving in Canada or report to an immigration officer.
“The officer decides 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 claim for refugee protection process’, Refugee Board application guide reads.
Penpushing reports that by comparison, official records showed that in 2024 alone, 811 Nigerian claims were rejected, while 2,230 were approved, and between 2013 and 2024, the RPD turned down 13,171 applications from Nigerians and accepted 10,580, ranking the country consistently among the top five in volume of denials, while overall asylum demand in Canada remains grew after a record 173,000 claims in 2024.
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