Canada Deports 366 Nigerians as Nearly 1,000 Await Removal 

Canada deported no fewer than 366 Nigerians between January and October 2025 as the North American country intensified immigration enforcement at a pace not seen in more than a decade, official data has revealed.

 

Statistics obtained from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) removals programme and cited by Saturday PUNCH show that, beyond those already removed, another 974 Nigerians are currently listed in the “removal in progress” inventory, indicating that they are awaiting deportation from Canada.

 

The latest figures, updated on November 25, 2025, placed Nigeria ninth among the top 10 nationalities deported from Canada within the period under review. Nigeria also ranked fifth among countries with the highest number of persons awaiting removal, underscoring the growing impact of Canada’s renewed immigration enforcement on Nigerian nationals.

 

Deportation figures fluctuate over the years

 

A breakdown of the CBSA data showed that deportations of Nigerians from Canada have fluctuated significantly over the past several years. In 2019, Canadian authorities removed 339 Nigerians. This number fell to 302 in 2020, largely attributed to global travel restrictions and border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The downward trend continued in 2021 with 242 deportations, and further dropped to 199 in 2022. In both 2023 and 2024, Nigeria did not feature among the top 10 countries whose citizens were removed from Canada.

 

However, the trend changed sharply in 2025. In just 10 months, Canada deported 366 Nigerians, marking Nigeria’s return to the top 10 list and representing an eight per cent increase compared to the 2019 figure. Analysts say the surge reflects a broader policy shift rather than a sudden rise in Nigerian migration offences.

 

Canada ramps up removals at record pace

 

The deportations are part of a wider and aggressive immigration crackdown by the Canadian government. The CBSA is now removing nearly 400 foreign nationals every week, the fastest rate in more than 10 years.

 

In the 2024–2025 fiscal year alone, Canada removed 18,048 people from the country, spending approximately $78 million on enforcement and removal operations. Canadian authorities say the move is aimed at restoring integrity to the immigration system and ensuring compliance with existing laws.

 

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the CBSA is legally required to remove any foreign national who has an enforceable removal order. Individuals can be deemed inadmissible and subject to deportation for a wide range of reasons, including security concerns, human or international rights violations, criminality, organised crime involvement, health grounds, financial incapacity, misrepresentation, and failure to comply with immigration rules.

 

According to the data, the majority of removals—about 83 per cent—are failed refugee claimants whose asylum applications were denied after due process. Criminality accounts for roughly four per cent of deportations, while the remainder fall under administrative and compliance-related issues.

 

Types of removal orders

 

Canadian immigration law recognises three main types of removal orders. The first is a departure order, which requires an individual to leave Canada within 30 days. If the person complies and confirms departure, they may return legally in the future.

 

The second is an exclusion order, which bars the individual from re-entering Canada for a period ranging from one to five years, depending on the offence or violation.

 

The most severe is a deportation order, which permanently bars the individual from returning to Canada unless they receive special written authorisation from the government.

 

Immigration experts note that many foreign nationals initially issued departure or exclusion orders end up facing deportation orders if they fail to leave within the stipulated time.

 

Nigeria stands out among African countries

 

Analysis of the CBSA statistics revealed that Nigeria is the only African country listed among the top 10 nationalities deported from Canada in 2025. Other African countries were grouped under a broad “remaining nationals” category, which collectively accounted for 6,233 removals in the same year.

 

The top 10 countries whose citizens were removed from Canada in 2025 are Mexico (3,972), India (2,831), Haiti (2,012), Colombia (737), Romania (672), the United States (656), Venezuela (562), China (385), Nigeria (366), and Pakistan (359).

 

A similar pattern emerged in the “removal in progress” inventory. Nigeria, with 974 individuals awaiting removal, is again the only African country in the top 10. The list is led by India (6,515), followed by Mexico (4,650), the United States (1,704), China (1,430), Nigeria (974), Colombia (895), Pakistan (863), Haiti (741), Brazil (650), and Chile (621).

 

Government cites housing, labour, and border concerns

 

Canadian authorities have defended the intensified deportations, citing the need to tighten immigration targets amid mounting domestic pressures. These include housing shortages in major cities, labour market imbalances, and concerns about border security.

 

To support its enforcement drive, the Canadian government allocated an additional $30.5 million over three years to strengthen removal operations. It also committed a massive $1.3 billion towards enhancing border security infrastructure and personnel.

 

However, the tougher stance has drawn criticism from refugee advocates and immigration lawyers, who fear that vulnerable migrants may be disproportionately affected.

 

President of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, Aisling Bondy, warned that deportations could increase even further if Bill C-12, popularly referred to as the “border bill,” is passed into law.

 

“One of the clauses in that bill is that a lot of people will be permanently banned from filing a refugee claim in Canada,” Bondy said, raising concerns about access to asylum and due process.

 

Nigerians continue to migrate to Canada

 

Despite the rising deportation figures, Canada remains a highly attractive destination for Nigerians seeking better economic opportunities, education, and improved living standards.

 

According to the 2021 Canadian census, more than 40,000 Nigerians migrated to Canada between 2016 and 2021. This made Nigerians the fifth-largest group of recent immigrants and the largest African migrant population in the country.

 

Further data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) showed that 6,600 Nigerians arrived as new permanent residents in the first four months of 2024 alone. This placed Nigeria as the fourth-largest source of new permanent residents, behind India, the Philippines, and China.

 

Between 2005 and 2024, a total of 71,459 Nigerians obtained Canadian citizenship, ranking Nigeria 10th among countries whose nationals became new Canadian citizens during that period.

 

Balancing opportunity and enforcement

 

Canada’s ageing population and persistent labour shortages, particularly in healthcare, technology, construction, and skilled trades, have made the country a key destination for Nigerian professionals and international students.

 

However, experts say the latest deportation data highlights the growing tension between Canada’s need for migrants and its determination to strictly enforce immigration laws.

 

For many Nigerians in Canada, the figures serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining valid immigration status, complying with visa conditions, and seeking proper legal guidance when navigating the asylum and residency process.

 

As Canada continues to recalibrate its immigration system, the impact on Nigerian migrants—both aspiring and already resident—will likely remain under close scrutiny in the months ahead.