The Canadian government has intensified its immigration enforcement efforts, deporting 366 Nigerians between January and October 2025, according to the latest figures from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
The data, updated through late 2025, reveals that Nigeria has now entered the top 10 list of nationalities deported from Canada, ranking ninth globally and standing as the only African nation on the list.
In addition to those already removed, official records show that 974 Nigerians are currently in the “removal in progress” inventory.
These individuals have been issued enforceable removal orders and are awaiting the finalization of their deportation procedures.
The numbers indicate a significant shift in enforcement, as Nigeria did not feature in the top 10 deportation list during 2023 or 2024.
According to the CBSA breakdown:
83% of removals involve failed refugee claimants whose asylum applications were denied, while 4% of deportations are linked to criminality.
The remaining cases involve other immigration violations, such as overstayed visas or non-compliance with residency requirements.
The spike in enforcement comes as the Canadian government moves to tighten immigration targets and address domestic concerns regarding housing shortages, labor market pressures, and border security.
To support this drive, Canada has allocated an additional $30.5 million over three years to bolster its removals program, part of a broader $1.3 billion commitment to enhance border security.
Nationwide, the CBSA is currently removing an average of 400 individuals per week.
The increase in deportations has drawn criticism from advocacy groups.
Aisling Bondy, President of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, expressed concern that the government's focus on "getting the job done" may come at the expense of fairness.
Human rights advocates highlight that many Nigerian asylum seekers flee persecution, including insurgencies and gender-based violence.
However, many claims are reportedly rejected based on the “Internal Flight Alternative” (IFA), where Canadian officials argue that claimants can safely relocate to other parts of Nigeria, such as Lagos or Port Harcourt, rather than remaining in Canada.
In the "removal-in-progress" category, Nigeria ranks fifth globally, trailing only India (6,515), Mexico (4,650), the United States (1,704), and China (1,430).
Despite the rise in deportations, Canada remains a top destination for Nigerians.
Records show that over 71,000 Nigerians became Canadian citizens between 2005 and 2024, with thousands more continuing to enter the country annually through legal work and study pathways.
