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By Lizzy Chirkpi
In a surprising turn of events, Canada has significantly ramped up its immigration enforcement, leading to the deportation of at least 366 Nigerian nationals between January and October 2025. These numbers reflect the most intense immigration enforcement seen in over a decade, as reported by official data from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Current data reveals that alongside these deportations, an additional 974 Nigerians are classified as being under “removal in progress,” awaiting the final processing of their deportation. Nigeria ranked ninth among the top ten countries whose citizens faced removal from Canada during this period, while it placed fifth for the most individuals pending deportation.
Historically, the deportation rates for Nigerian nationals have fluctuated. In 2019, Canada removed 339 Nigerians, and this number fell to 302 in 2020, 242 in 2021, and 199 in 2022. Notably, Nigeria did not appear in the top ten deported nationalities in either 2023 or 2024. However, the significant jump back into these statistics in 2025—with 366 deportations—represents an increase of approximately eight percent compared to the 2019 figures.
This uptick coincides with a broader immigration enforcement initiative by Canadian authorities. The CBSA is now removing nearly 400 foreign nationals each week, marking the fastest deportation rate recorded in more than a decade. In the fiscal year of 2024-2025 alone, Canada saw a staggering 18,048 deportations, incurring an estimated cost of around $78 million.
Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the CBSA is mandated to act on any enforceable removal order against foreign nationals. Various reasons can render individuals inadmissible, including criminal activity, security concerns, misrepresentation, health or financial issues, and breaches of immigration regulations. Interestingly, CBSA statistics indicate that about 83% of deportees are individuals whose refugee claims were unsuccessful, while cases involving criminality account for just about 4% of removals.
The Canadian legal framework offers three types of removal orders. Departure orders require individuals to leave the country within 30 days, exclusion orders bar re-entry for a duration of one to five years, and deportation orders permanently prohibit return unless special permission is granted.
Examining the 2025 deportation data reveals that Nigeria is the sole African nation within the top ten nationalities being removed from Canada. Other African countries are categorized under “remaining nationals,” combining for a total of 6,233 deportations. The countries with the largest number of removals in 2025 included Mexico (3,972), India (2,831), Haiti (2,012), among others, with Nigeria logging in the ninth position.
Moreover, Nigeria also stands out as the only African country in the “removal in progress” category, which is led by India (6,515) and followed closely by Mexico (4,650) and the United States (1,704). The Canadian government’s intensified efforts in immigration enforcement have been associated with the need to align with revised immigration targets and alleviate issues regarding housing shortages, labor market pressures, and security at the borders.
The Canadian government has responded to the growing need for immigration enforcement by allocating an additional $30.5 million over three years specifically for removals and has made a substantial investment of $1.3 billion in border security.
However, this tightening of immigration policy has not gone unnoticed. Refugee advocates, such as Aisling Bondy, President of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, have raised alarm bells over the potential implications of current legislative changes. She pointed to Bill C-12, also referred to as the “border bill,” expressing concerns that its passage could further escalate deportations. A notable clause in the bill could permanently restrict many individuals from making refugee claims in Canada.
Despite these tightening controls, Canada continues to be a highly desired destination for Nigerians seeking better opportunities in education, employment, and living standards. The 2021 Canadian census highlighted that over 40,000 Nigerians migrated to Canada between 2016 and 2021, making them the largest African migrant group in the country and the fifth-largest recent immigrant demographic overall.
Furthermore, data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada illustrates that 6,600 Nigerians obtained permanent residency within the first four months of 2024, ranking just behind India, the Philippines, and China. Between 2005 and 2024, over 71,000 Nigerians eventually became Canadian citizens, placing Nigeria among the top ten source countries for new citizens in Canada.
As Canada faces the dual challenges of an aging population and ongoing labor shortages, skilled Nigerian professionals and students remain drawn to its shores, even as immigration enforcement measures become increasingly stringent. The balancing act between maintaining a welcoming stance for newcomers and addressing domestic challenges continues to shape the discourse around Canada’s immigration policies.
