Canada Deports 366 Nigerians, 974 Face Removal
- Jan 3
- 2 min read
Canada deported 366 Nigerian nationals between January and October 2025 as immigration enforcement accelerated to its highest level in more than a decade. In addition, 974 Nigerians are currently listed as having removal proceedings underway, placing the country among the top nationalities affected by Canada’s ongoing crackdown.
Recent government figures show Nigeria ranked ninth among the ten countries with the highest number of deportations in 2025, and fifth among those with the most individuals awaiting removal. The data reflects a sharp return to the deportation list after Nigeria did not feature prominently in 2023 and 2024.
Historical trends indicate fluctuating numbers over the years. Canada removed 339 Nigerians in 2019, 302 in 2020, 242 in 2021, and 199 in 2022. The 2025 figure represents a notable rise and an increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The surge coincides with a broader tightening of Canada’s immigration system. Authorities are now removing close to 400 foreign nationals each week. In the 2024–2025 fiscal year alone, more than 18,000 people were deported at a cost estimated at $78 million.
Under Canadian law, foreign nationals with enforceable removal orders must leave the country. Grounds for deportation range from failed asylum claims and misrepresentation to criminality, security concerns, and violations of immigration rules. Failed refugee claimants account for the vast majority of removals, while criminal cases make up a smaller fraction.
Canadian regulations recognise three categories of removal orders: departure orders requiring exit within 30 days, exclusion orders that bar re-entry for a fixed period, and deportation orders that permanently prohibit return without special approval.
The government says the intensified removals are part of efforts to meet revised immigration targets, ease housing and labour market pressures, and strengthen border security. Additional funding has been approved to support enforcement and border operations, while proposed legislation could further limit access to refugee claims.
Among African countries, Nigeria is the only one listed individually among the top ten for both completed deportations and pending removals in 2025. Other African nationals are grouped under a general category that accounts for thousands of removals.
Despite the crackdown, Canada remains a major destination for Nigerians seeking education, work, and long-term settlement. Tens of thousands of Nigerians have migrated to Canada in recent years, and the country continues to attract skilled professionals and students, driven by labour shortages and an ageing population.
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