The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) released new numbers that show that Canada approved 3,463 asylum applications from Nigerians in 2025. However, by the end of the year, there were still 21,573 claims that had not been resolved.
The information, which was last updated on February 13 and covers the time from January to December 2025, shows that Nigerians made 6,765 asylum claims during the year.
Of these, 3,463 were approved, 1,377 were denied, 46 were dropped, and 153 were withdrawn or put in a different category, bringing the total number of cases that were closed to 5,039.
The numbers show that about 68% of claims were approved, which is an increase from previous years when 2,230 out of 16,267 claims were approved.
Nigeria was one of the top five countries of origin for asylum seekers in Canada in 2025, along with India, Haiti, Iran, and Mexico.
The Refugee Protection Division in Canada gives asylum to people who meet the requirements set out in the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention. Applicants must show that they have a real fear of being persecuted because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or political opinion, or that they are at risk of torture or cruel treatment if they are sent back to their home country.
The IRB said that people can apply for asylum at certain entry points, like airports, land borders, or seaports, or from inside Canada. Before being sent to the board for a decision, officials from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or the Canada Border Services Agency first check to see if each claim is valid.
The board said, “The IRB then decides which claims are eligible based on the evidence and arguments presented, and in accordance with Canadian law.” They also said that applicants must show that they have a well-founded fear of persecution or serious harm in their home country.
Those who are granted protected status can apply for permanent residence, but those whose claims are denied may have to go through removal proceedings.
In 2025, Canada handled 107,802 asylum claims from people of all nationalities, and 50,067 of those cases were closed. Of these, 14,619 were accepted and 7,944 were turned down.
The IRB said that asylum applications have been steadily rising in recent years because of instability, wars, and more people being forced to leave their homes around the world. However, it also said that new claims fell by 64% from January to February 2026 compared to the same time in 2024.
Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia are some of the provinces that currently have the most asylum seekers in the country.
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