Thousands of Nigerian asylum seekers have faced rejection over the past decade, positioning Nigeria among the top five nations with the highest number of failed refugee applications. Official data from the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada reveals that between January 2013 and December 2024, 13,171 Nigerian asylum seekers were denied protection. In 2024 alone, 811 Nigerian applicants had their claims rejected. The data highlights a broader trend of increasing rejections over the years, with 2019 recording the highest number of refusals, totalling 3,951.
Furthermore, the country ranks fifth in the list of countries with the most rejected claims, following Mexico, India, Haiti, and Colombia. The decision-making process for asylum claims is rigorous, requiring applicants to prove they meet the internationally recognised definition of a refugee outlined by the United Nations. The statistics indicate a fluctuating pattern in the rejection of people in the nation asylum seekers in Canada. Between 2013 and 2015, fewer than 250 claims were denied annually. However, the numbers surged in subsequent years, with 476 rejections in 2016, 917 in 2017 and 1,777 in 2018.
Understanding the root causes of the rejections.
The increase reached its peak in 2019 before declining in the following years, with rejections dropping to 1,770 in 2020 and 728 in 2022. Despite the decline, the country remains one of the most affected countries in terms of unsuccessful asylum applications. Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board assesses each claim individually to determine if the applicant qualifies as a Convention refugee or a person needing protection. The review considers multiple factors, including the applicant’s testimony, supporting documentation, and general conditions in their home country.
Those who fail to meet the established criteria are denied protection, leading to their removal or voluntary departure from Canada. The growing number of rejected has, however, raised questions about the primary reasons behind these refusals. A significant factor contributing to the high rejection rate is the inability of many applicants to meet Canada’s strict legal criteria for refugee protection. While some claimants cite economic hardship and Insecurity as reasons for fleeing their country, these factors alone do not satisfy the conditions for asylum under international law. The Canadian immigration system prioritises cases involving persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political affiliation, or membership in a specific social group.
Its broader economic consequences for Nigeria.
Economic migration is often mistaken for refugee protection, leading to unsuccessful applications. Many people seeking a better life abroad apply for asylum despite not meeting the required criteria. This misunderstanding of Canada’s refugee policies results in many rejections, contributing to the overall failure rate. Beyond individual rejections, the situation has broader economic consequences for the country. The migration of skilled professionals seeking better opportunities abroad, particularly in developed countries like Canada, has led to a brain drain. Many educated and highly skilled people who attempt to claim refugee status in Canada do not return to their home country.
Instead, they integrate into the Canadian workforce, contributing to its Economy while Nigeria loses valuable human capital. Despite these concerns, remittances from Nigerians in the diaspora play a crucial role in supporting families and stimulating local economies. However, these remittances are not in any way insufficient to offset the negative economic impact of losing skilled professionals. The reliance on remittances does not address the systemic issues that drive migration in the first place, such as unemployment, insecurity, and economic instability.
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Therefore, the persistent migration underscores the need for more effective policies that will address the root causes of migration. Economic development, job creation, and improved Security measures could help reduce the number of people seeking refuge abroad. On the other hand, better public awareness campaigns about foreign policies could prevent individuals from making unsuccessful applications based on misinformation. But, if the trend continues, both the federal government and international stakeholders must work together to create viable solutions.