Over 13,000 Nigerians Denied Refugee Status In Canada – Details

• Over 13,000 Nigerians were denied refugee status in Canada since 2013.
• In 2024, 811 Nigerian asylum applications were rejected by Canadian authorities.
• Canada’s strict refugee policies require proof of persecution or serious risk.

Data from the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada has revealed that over 13,000 Nigerians who applied for asylum between January 2013 and December 2024 were denied refugee status.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in 2024 alone, 811 Nigerian applications were rejected, placing Nigeria among the top five countries with the highest asylum denials. Mexico recorded the most rejections with 2,954 cases, followed by India (1,688), Haiti (982), and Nigeria.

Asylum seekers in Canada are granted refugee protection if they meet the United Nations’ definition of a Convention refugee, which includes individuals facing persecution based on race, nationality, religion, political beliefs, or membership in vulnerable social groups such as LGBTQ+ individuals, women, or persons living with HIV/AIDS.

To qualify for protection, applicants must provide credible evidence proving they are at risk of torture, threats to their lives, or cruel and unusual treatment if deported to their home country. If an asylum claim is deemed eligible, it is forwarded to the RPD for review.

A breakdown of rejection figures shows that 127 Nigerians were denied refugee status in 2013, 241 in 2014, and 248 in 2015. The highest number of denials occurred in 2019, when 3,951 Nigerian applicants were turned down.

The rising number of asylum rejections highlights the challenges faced by Nigerians seeking refuge in Canada and the stringent requirements set by the Canadian government in evaluating refugee claims.

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