Canada accepted 3,463 Nigerian asylum claims in 2025, while 21,573 applications remain pending, according to a new report based on official immigration data. The figures highlight a growing backlog within Canada’s refugee system and a steady flow of applications from Nigeria. The report shows that Nigerian asylum claims continue to form a notable portion of cases under review within the country’s asylum process.
Canada operates one of the world’s structured asylum systems, managed by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), which assesses claims based on evidence of persecution or risk in applicants’ home countries. Claims are referred for determination and may be accepted, rejected, or remain pending depending on case processing timelines.
Data from the IRB indicates that asylum claims are recorded based on the claimant’s country of alleged persecution and are subject to detailed legal review before decisions are made. Pending cases represent claims that have not yet been finalised within the system. The growing number of applications from different countries, including Nigeria, reflects broader global migration patterns and the demand for protection pathways in developed countries.
The report indicates that 3,463 Nigerian asylum claims were approved within the 2025 period, while 21,573 claims remained pending as of the reporting date. These figures point to a significant backlog in the processing of applications involving Nigerian nationals.
The pending cases form part of a wider accumulation of asylum applications across Canada’s system, where thousands of claims from various countries await determination. According to official data, pending claims include all applications that have not been concluded through acceptance, rejection, or withdrawal.
The report also reflects the scale of demand placed on Canada’s asylum system, with total claims across multiple countries contributing to the overall caseload handled by immigration authorities.
In recent policy developments, Canada has introduced measures aimed at managing asylum eligibility and reducing processing delays. These include reforms to timelines for filing claims and expanded administrative powers to address backlogs within the system.
The volume of Nigerian asylum claims and the large number of pending cases highlight pressures within Canada’s refugee processing system. The backlog may affect decision timelines and access to protection for applicants awaiting outcomes.
For Nigeria, the figures reflect continued outward migration pressures and the pursuit of asylum pathways by citizens seeking protection abroad. The data may also inform bilateral and migration policy discussions between Nigeria and destination countries.
