Canada approved 3,463 asylum applications submitted by Nigerian nationals in 2025, while a total of 21,573 claims remained unresolved at the close of the year, according to updated figures released by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, IRB.
The data, updated on February 13 and covering the period from January to December 2025, shows that Nigerians lodged 6,765 asylum claims within the year.
Out of these, 3,463 applications were successful, 1,377 were refused, 46 were abandoned, and 153 were withdrawn or classified under other outcomes, bringing the total number of concluded cases to 5,039.
The figures indicate an approval rate of about 68 per cent, reflecting an increase compared to previous years when 2,230 out of 16,267 claims were granted.
With this volume of applications, Nigeria ranked among the leading countries of origin for asylum seekers in Canada in 2025, alongside India, Haiti, Iran, and Mexico.
Under Canadian regulations, the Refugee Protection Division grants asylum to individuals who meet the criteria outlined in the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention. Applicants must demonstrate a credible fear of persecution based on factors such as race, religion, nationality, membership of a social group, or political opinion, or show a risk of torture or inhumane treatment if returned to their home country.
The IRB explained that asylum requests can be made either at designated entry points, such as airports, land borders, or seaports, or from within Canada. Each claim is first assessed for eligibility by officials of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or the Canada Border Services Agency before being referred to the board for determination.
“All eligible claims are then determined by the IRB based on the evidence and arguments presented, and in line with Canadian laws,” the board stated, adding that applicants must establish a well-founded fear of persecution or serious harm in their country of origin.
Successful applicants are granted protected status and may apply for permanent residence, while those whose claims are denied could face removal proceedings.
Overall, Canada processed 107,802 asylum claims from all nationalities in 2025, with 50,067 cases concluded. Of these, 14,619 were approved and 7,944 rejected.
The IRB noted a sustained increase in asylum applications in recent years, driven by global instability, conflicts, and rising displacement worldwide. However, it also reported a 64 per cent drop in new claims between January and February 2026 compared to the same period in 2024.
Provinces such as Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia currently accommodate the highest numbers of asylum seekers in the country.
