Canadian immigration authorities have intensified enforcement at a pace not seen in more than a decade, resulting in the deportation of 366 Nigerian nationals between January and October 2025.
Official data from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) indicates that an additional 974 Nigerians are currently categorized under “removal in progress,” placing Nigeria fifth among countries with the highest number of individuals awaiting deportation.
This surge in enforcement comes as Canada struggles with domestic pressures, including housing shortages and labor market strains, prompting the government to earmark an additional $30.5 million specifically for removals.
Okay News reports that the statistics, updated as of late November 2025, show Nigeria as the only African nation among the top 10 nationalities deported during this period. While Mexico and India lead the overall list, Nigeria’s re-entry into these rankings marks a significant shift from previous years where deportation numbers had been steadily declining. The bulk of these removals—approximately 83 percent—consists of failed refugee claimants, while criminality-related cases account for only four percent of the total.
Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, individuals are issued one of three types of removal orders: departure orders requiring exit within 30 days, exclusion orders banning re-entry for up to five years, and permanent deportation orders.
Despite the rising number of removals, Nigeria remains one of the largest sources of legal migration to Canada. Recent census data reveals that Nigerians are the fifth-largest group of recent immigrants and the fourth-largest group to obtain permanent residency in 2024, highlighting a complex dynamic where the country remains a top destination for skilled professionals even as border enforcement tightens.
