Canada immigration’s authorities ramped up deportations in 2025, removing 366 Nigerians between January and October, the highest pace in over a decade.
Official Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) data reveals 974 Nigerians currently in the “removal in progress” inventory, signaling intensified Canada deportation efforts targeting failed asylum seekers and non-compliant migrants.
This surge reflects broader Canadian immigration reforms, driven by housing shortages, labor pressures, and border security concerns, placing Nigeria prominently among affected nationalities.
As Nigerians remain a top source of new immigrants and citizens, these statistics underscore tensions between Canada’s welcoming policies for skilled workers and its strict enforcement against inadmissible individuals.
The data, updated November 25, 2025, positions Nigeria ninth in deportations from Canada 2025 and fifth in pending removals, igniting debates on Nigerian diaspora challenges.
Deportation Breakdown: Nigeria’s Rising Numbers in CBSA Statistics
CBSA removals program statistics highlight Nigeria’s fluctuating but resurgent deportation figures.
In 2019, Canada removed 339 Nigerians; numbers dipped to 302 in 2020, 242 in 2021, and 199 in 2022.
Absent from the top 10 in 2023-2024, Nigeria re-entered in 2025 with 366 removals in 10 months, an 8% increase over 2019.
Overall, Canada deported 18,048 foreign nationals in fiscal 2024-2025, costing approximately $78 million.
Weekly removals hit nearly 400, the fastest rate in over a decade.
Nigeria ranked ninth among top nationalities: Mexico (3,972), India (2,831), Haiti (2,012), Colombia (737), Romania (672), United States (656), Venezuela (562), China (385), Nigeria (366), Pakistan (359).
Notably, Nigeria stands as the sole African nation in the top 10; other Africans fall under “remaining nationals” at 6,233 removals.
In the removal inventory, Nigeria’s 974 cases secure fifth place: India (6,515), Mexico (4,650), United States (1,704), China (1,430), Nigeria (974), Colombia (895), Pakistan (863), Haiti (741), Brazil (650), Chile (621).
These trends align with CBSA deportation data, emphasizing enforcement under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
Reasons for Deportation: From Failed Refugees to Criminality
Under IRPA, CBSA must execute enforceable removal orders against inadmissible foreign nationals.
Grounds include security threats, human rights violations, criminality, organized crime, health issues, financial reasons, misrepresentation, and non-compliance.
About 83% involve failed refugee claimants; criminality accounts for 4%.
Canada issues three removal types:
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Departure orders: Leave within 30 days, with possible permanent resident restoration.
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Exclusion orders: Bar re-entry for 1-5 years.
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Deportation orders: Permanent ban unless specially authorized.
The government’s crackdown addresses public concerns over housing shortages in Canada, job market strains, and irregular migration.
It allocated $30.5 million over three years for removals and $1.3 billion for border security.
Critics like Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers President Aisling Bondy warn that Bill C-12 could permanently bar many from refugee claims, escalating Canada mass deportations.
Canada’s Immigration Push and Nigerian Migration Trends
Canada attracts Nigerians amid its aging population and labor gaps.
The 2021 census shows over 40,000 Nigerians arrived between 2016-2021, ranking them fifth among recent immigrants and Africa’s largest group.
In early 2024, 6,600 Nigerians gained permanent residency, fourth after India, Philippines, and China.
From 2005-2024, 71,459 Nigerians became citizens, placing Nigeria 10th.
Programs like Express Entry favor skilled Nigerian professionals in tech, healthcare, and engineering.
Yet, rising asylum claims and study permit overstays fuel deportations, mirroring global trends in immigration enforcement Canada.
Public and Expert Reactions to the Deportation Surge
Nigerian communities express alarm over Canada deporting Nigerians.
Diaspora groups urge compliance education, while analysts link spikes to post-COVID visa backlogs and economic hardships driving irregular entries.
Supporters praise the policy: “Tightened borders protect Canadian workers and resources.”
Refugee advocates decry humanitarian gaps, especially for failed claimants fleeing insecurity.
Comparative Global Context: Nigeria in International Deportations
Nigeria features prominently in global removals.
The U.S. deported over 1,000 Nigerians annually pre-2025.
Europe follows suit. Canada’s African deportations focus on Nigeria due to migration volumes, over 200,000 Nigerians live there legally.
This positions Nigerian Canadians at a crossroads: record inflows versus heightened scrutiny.
Policymakers recommend pre-arrival legal checks and status maintenance to avoid CBSA removal orders.
Government Strategies and Future Implications
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration defends immigration crackdown Canada as sustainable growth.
Targets cap permanent residents at 395,000 for 2025, down from peaks, prioritizing economy over volume.
Enhanced CBSA tools, like biometrics and data-sharing, accelerate processing.
For Nigerians, implications include:
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Stricter visa scrutiny for students and workers.
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Accelerated failed claim removals.
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Potential Bill C-12 expansions banning repeat asylum bids.
Nigeria’s government could enhance pre-departure counseling via consular services.
Advice for Nigerians Eyeing Canada Migration
Prospective migrants should:
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Verify eligibility via IRCC Express Entry.
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Maintain status; overstays trigger bans.
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Seek legal aid for refusals.
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Monitor Canada immigration news 2026 for policy shifts.
Canada remains viable for skilled Nigerians, but compliance is key amid deportation statistics Canada.
Ray of hope: Provincial Nominee Programs favor Nigerian talent in Alberta and Ontario.
Broader Economic and Policy Ramifications
These deportations fund Canadian border security while signaling fiscal prudence.
For Nigeria, reverse brain drain risks losing remittances ($20 billion+ annually from diaspora).
Balanced reforms could sustain mutual benefits.
As 2026 unfolds, watch for CBSA updates and legislative changes.
Nigerians in limbo face uncertainty, but proactive steps mitigate risks in Canada’s evolving immigration landscape.
