974 NIGERIANS AWAITS DEPORTATION FROM CANADA AS 366 DEPORTED IN 10 MONTHS

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By: Sefiu Ajape

No fewer than 974 Nigerians are awaiting deportation in Canada, it was learnt. They are reportedly in the “removal-in-progress” queue, waiting to be deported.

Canadian authorities deported 366 Nigerians between January and October 2025, according to available data. About 83% of those deported are failed refugee claimants, while criminality accounts for roughly 4%. Under Canadian law, anyone with an enforceable removal order must be deported.

Outside the United Kingdom and the United States, Canada remains a major destination for Nigerians, with over 71,000 Nigerians gaining citizenship between 2005 and 2024, and thousands more arriving annually as students, workers, and permanent residents.

Data from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) showed that Nigeria is the only African country among the top 10 nationalities deported in 2025, occupying the ninth position. It also ranked fifth among nationalities awaiting removal.

The 2025 figure marks a sharp increase after Nigeria dropped out of the top 10 in 2023 and 2024, representing an 8% increase over 2019.

Canada is conducting an aggressive nationwide crackdown, now deporting nearly 400 people weekly and removing 18,048 foreign nationals in the 2024–2025 fiscal year at a cost of about $78 million. Authorities say the push aims to tighten immigration targets and ease pressure on housing, jobs, and border security, supported by an additional $30.5 million for removals and $1.3 billion for border enforcement.

Immigration lawyers warn that deportations could rise further if Bill C-12 is passed, potentially imposing permanent bans on some refugee claims.