Nigerians Top African Countries In Successful Asylum Claims In Canada

According to Bush Radio Academy, data from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) showed that Nigerians recorded more successful refugee protection claims than applicants from any other African country over the period, although thousands of applications were also rejected or withdrawn.

The figures revealed that Canada approved 2,230 Nigerian asylum applications in 2024. The number increased by approximately 55 per cent to 3,463 in 2025, while another 1,950 Nigerians received refugee protection during the first six months of 2026.

Despite the high approval figures, Canadian authorities rejected 3,080 Nigerian asylum claims within the same period. Another 1,530 applications were reportedly withdrawn or abandoned, bringing the total number of concluded Nigerian cases to 12,253.

Nigeria also recorded the highest number of successful asylum claims among African nationals in 2025. Uganda followed with 2,089 approvals, while Kenya recorded 1,532 and Ethiopia had 1,522. Ghana secured 1,084 approvals during the year.

Other African countries recorded varying numbers of successful applications. The Democratic Republic of Congo received 732 approvals, Cameroon had 742, while Rwanda recorded 710.

The trend continued in the first half of 2026, when 1,950 Nigerians were granted refugee protection. Kenya recorded 703 approvals, Ghana had 603, and Uganda received 521. Ethiopia recorded 378 successful claims, while the Democratic Republic of Congo had 412, Rwanda 389 and Cameroon 300.

Across the entire 30-month period, Uganda recorded 3,943 successful claims, followed by Kenya with 3,888, Ethiopia with 2,982 and Ghana with 2,000. The Democratic Republic of Congo received 1,867 approvals, while Rwanda and Cameroon recorded 1,699 and 1,643 respectively.

The data also highlighted the significant number of Nigerian applicants who failed to secure protection. Nigeria recorded 3,080 rejected claims, the highest among the African countries listed. The Democratic Republic of Congo followed with 1,230 rejections, while Ghana recorded 885 and Kenya had 639.

In 2024, Canadian authorities concluded 3,249 Nigerian cases, approving 2,230 and rejecting 811. The number of concluded cases rose to 5,039 in 2025, with 3,463 applications approved and 1,377 rejected.

During the first six months of 2026, 3,965 Nigerian cases were concluded, including 1,950 approvals and 892 rejections. The remaining cases were withdrawn, abandoned or otherwise concluded.

The figures also point to mounting pressure on Canada’s asylum determination system. As of December 31, 2024, the IRB reportedly had 19,889 Nigerian cases awaiting decisions, highlighting the substantial backlog facing applicants.

The pressure continued into 2025, when Canada received 107,802 new refugee claim referrals. By the end of that year, 299,614 applications from people of different nationalities remained pending.

Worldwide, Canada concluded 79,462 refugee claims in 2025, granting protection to 50,067 applicants and rejecting 14,619. The 3,463 successful Nigerian applications accounted for approximately 6.9 per cent of all refugee protection grants that year.

In the first half of 2026, the board approved 22,109 out of 49,960 refugee claims concluded globally. Nigerian applicants accounted for 1,950 of those approvals, representing about 8.8 per cent of the total.

Across the full 30-month period, Canada concluded 202,878 refugee claims involving applicants from different countries. Of these, 118,656 were approved, while 34,546 were rejected. Nigeria’s 7,643 successful applications represented approximately 6.4 per cent of all refugee protection grants during the period.

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada is an independent federal body responsible for deciding refugee protection claims under the country’s immigration and refugee protection legislation.

Under international refugee protection principles, applicants may qualify for asylum if they demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution 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 risks such as torture or other serious harm if returned to their home countries.

Applicants are required to provide evidence supporting their claims. Those whose applications are rejected may have access to an appeal or other legal review options, depending on their circumstances and eligibility.

The figures underline Nigeria’s prominent position among African countries whose citizens have successfully sought refugee protection in Canada, while also highlighting the large number of rejected applications and cases still awaiting decisions.