At least 13,171 Nigerians who applied for refugee protection between January 2013 and December 2024 were denied by the Canadian government, including 811 rejections in 2024.

According to official data from the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria ranked fifth among countries with the most rejected claims. Other countries on the list include Mexico (2,954), India (1,688), Haiti (982), and Colombia (723).

The IRB grants refugee protection if the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) confirms that an applicant meets the United Nations definition of a Convention refugee, which has been incorporated into Canadian law.

The 1951 UN Convention defines refugees as individuals with a well-founded fear of persecution due to their race, nationality, religion, political beliefs, or membership in a particular social group.