Canada has deported 366 Nigerians between January and October 2025, reflecting a sharp increase in immigration enforcement, according to data from the Canada Border Services Agency. The records also show that 974 Nigerians are currently listed as “removal in progress” and are awaiting deportation.
Nigeria ranked ninth among the top 10 countries with the highest number of removals in 2025 and is the only African country on the list. Deportations of Nigerians have fluctuated over the years, dropping from 339 in 2019 to 199 in 2022, before rising again in 2025 with an eight per cent increase compared to 2019.
The removals are part of Canada’s intensified immigration crackdown, with nearly 400 foreign nationals being deported weekly. In the 2024–2025 fiscal year alone, Canada removed over 18,000 people at a cost of about $78m. Most deportees are failed refugee claimants, while a smaller percentage were removed on criminal or security grounds.
Despite the crackdown, Canada remains a key destination for Nigerians, who continue to rank among the top sources of new permanent residents and citizens.
