IRB Appeals to Nigerians to Adhere to Asylum Rules

Fresh data from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) shows that 1,596 asylum claims filed by Nigerian nationals have been denied so far in 2025. However, this figure comes amidst a record-high acceptance rate for Nigerian applicants, with 2,292 claims approved out of 3,548 filed this year, putting the acceptance rate at approximately 65 per cent.

The figures, which were updated as of August 21, reflect a significant improvement compared to previous years. Between 2013 and 2024, a cumulative total of 13,171 claims from Nigerians were rejected, while 10,580 were accepted, according to official records. The reasons for rejection are often rooted in a claimant’s inability to meet the strict criteria of the 1951 UN Convention, which defines a refugee as a person with a “substantiated fear of persecution” based on their race, religion, nationality, or political views.

Analysts have identified that a lack of sufficient evidence of a direct threat, as well as credibility issues and the possibility of finding safety in another part of Nigeria, can often lead to a denial. The high volume of asylum claims from Nigeria is largely attributed to violence from groups like Boko Haram and ongoing economic instability.

While a significant number of claims were rejected, Nigeria continues to be a major source of asylum seekers for Canada, ranking among the top countries for application volume. Despite the rejections, Nigeria also ranked 8th among all countries in 2024 for the number of accepted claims, indicating that a substantial number of Nigerians continue to be granted refugee protection in the country.