Canada deports 366 Nigerians, 974 more await removal

Canada deported 366 Nigerians between January and October 2025, as part of an intensified immigration enforcement drive—the fastest pace in over a decade, official data shows.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) also revealed that 974 Nigerians remain in the “removal in progress” inventory, awaiting deportation.

Updated statistics from November 25, 2025, placed Nigeria ninth among the top 10 nationalities deported from Canada in the year under review.
The data shows a fluctuating trend in Nigerian deportations over the years.

In 2019, 339 Nigerians were deported, followed by 302 in 2020, 242 in 2021, and 199 in 2022. Nigeria did not feature in the top 10 in 2023 and 2024, before returning to the list with 366 deportations in just 10 months of 2025—an eight per cent increase from 2019.

Most deportations involve failed refugee claimants, accounting for about 83 per cent of cases, while criminality
represents approximately four per cent.

Canadian law distinguishes between three types of removal orders: departure orders, exclusion orders, and deportation orders, which can bar re-entry permanently unless special authorisation is granted.

The surge comes as Canada removes nearly 400 foreign nationals weekly, aiming to meet immigration targets and address housing shortages, labour pressures, and border security.

Between 2024 and 2025, Canada deported 18,048 people at a cost of roughly $78 million, with an additional $30.5 million earmarked over three years to bolster removal operations.

Among the top 10 nationalities deported in 2025, Nigeria is the only African country listed. Other countries include Mexico (3,972), India (2,831), Haiti (2,012), Colombia (737), Romania (672), United States (656), Venezuela (562), China (385), and Pakistan (359).

Despite these removals, Canada remains a popular destination for Nigerians seeking education and employment.

According to the 2021 Canadian census, over 40,000 Nigerians migrated to Canada between 2016 and 2021, making them the largest African migrant group. Between 2005 and 2024, more than 71,459 Nigerians obtained Canadian citizenship, ranking Nigeria 10th among source countries for new citizens.