By Instacool News Desk | October 24, 2026
Canada has granted refugee protection to 7,643 Nigerians between January 2024 and June 2026, making Nigeria the leading African nationality among successful asylum applicants during the 30-month period, according to data from Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).
The figures, reported by Punch Newspapers on Saturday, October 24, show that thousands of Nigerians secured protection after their claims were assessed under Canadian refugee laws. However, the data also reveal that thousands of applications were rejected, withdrawn or abandoned. <Cite refs={["turn888195search0","turn888195news8"]}/>
Asylum Approvals Increased in 2025
The data show a substantial increase in the number of Nigerians granted refugee protection over the period.
In 2024, Canada approved 2,230 Nigerian asylum claims. The figure increased to 3,463 in 2025, representing a rise of approximately 55 per cent.
A further 1,950 Nigerians received refugee protection during the first six months of 2026, bringing the total for the 30-month period to 7,643. <Cite refs={["turn888195search0"]}/>
The figures place Nigeria ahead of other African countries in successful refugee protection claims during the period. Uganda recorded 3,943 grants, followed by Kenya with 3,888, Ethiopia with 2,982 and Ghana with 2,000.
Thousands of Nigerian Claims Were Rejected
Despite the number of successful applications, not every Nigerian who sought asylum in Canada received protection.
The IRB data show that Canadian authorities rejected 3,080 Nigerian claims between January 2024 and June 2026. Another 1,530 cases were withdrawn or abandoned.
Overall, 12,253 Nigerian cases were finalised during the period, including approvals, refusals and cases that did not proceed to a substantive decision. <Cite refs={["turn888195search0","turn888195news9"]}/>
These figures underline an important distinction: applying for asylum does not guarantee approval. Each applicant must demonstrate that their circumstances meet the requirements of Canadian refugee and protection law.
Why Does Canada Grant Asylum?
Under Canada's refugee protection system, applicants may qualify if they face persecution in their home country because of factors such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group.
Protection may also be available to people who face specified risks, including torture, threats to life or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment if returned to their country of origin.
Applications are assessed individually by Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board. The approval figures alone do not establish why individual Nigerians sought protection or the circumstances behind their successful claims.
A Growing Backlog of Applications
The figures also highlight the pressure on Canada's refugee determination system.
By December 31, 2024, the IRB had 19,889 Nigerian cases awaiting a decision. Canada received 107,802 new refugee claim referrals in 2025, while the number of pending claims across all nationalities reached 299,614 by the end of that year. <Cite refs={["turn888195search0","turn888195news9"]}/>
The backlog indicates that applicants may face lengthy processing periods, although waiting times vary according to individual circumstances and the stage of each case.
What the Figures Mean for Nigerians
The latest statistics provide insight into the number of Nigerians obtaining refugee protection in Canada. They do not, however, mean that all Nigerians are eligible for asylum or that the approval trend will necessarily continue.
Anyone considering an application should seek accurate information from official Canadian immigration authorities or a qualified immigration lawyer. Refugee protection is a legal process, and applicants must meet the applicable eligibility requirements.
The figures also do not establish a single reason for the increase in successful Nigerian claims. Individual cases can involve different circumstances, and further evidence would be needed to determine the factors driving the trend.
Source: Punch Newspapers: Canada grants asylum to 7,643 Nigerians in 30 months
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