By John Umeh
A fresh report has revealed that close to 1,000 Nigerians currently living in Canada may soon be forced to leave the country as immigration authorities intensify enforcement actions nationwide.
Figures obtained from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) show that 974 Nigerians have been placed under the agency’s “removal-in-progress” category, meaning deportation procedures have already commenced, even though final removals are yet to be completed.
The data further indicate that 366 Nigerians were deported between January and October 2025, with the majority affected by failed refugee applications. About 83 per cent of those removed fell into this category, while criminal-related cases accounted for roughly four per cent of the total.
Under Canada’s immigration regulations, individuals served with enforceable removal orders are legally obligated to leave the country once all appeals are exhausted.
Despite the current crackdown, Canada remains one of the most popular destinations for Nigerians outside the United States and the United Kingdom. Records show that over 71,000 Nigerians became Canadian citizens between 2005 and 2024, alongside thousands who continue to enter yearly as international students, skilled workers and permanent residents.
However, the latest statistics place Nigeria as the only African country among the top 10 nationalities deported in 2025, ranking ninth overall. Nigeria also ranks fifth among countries with the highest number of persons awaiting removal, underscoring the scale of the issue.
This marks a significant shift from previous years, as Nigeria did not feature among the top 10 deportation lists in 2023 and 2024. Compared to 2019, the 2025 figures reflect an eight per cent increase.
Canadian authorities are currently executing a robust nationwide removal strategy, averaging nearly 400 deportations per week. In the 2024–2025 fiscal year, a total of 18,048 foreign nationals were removed at an estimated cost of $78 million.
Officials say the tougher stance is part of a broader effort to meet revised immigration targets, reduce strain on housing and employment systems, and strengthen border security. To support this drive, the government has approved an additional $30.5 million for deportation operations and $1.3 billion for border enforcement measures.
Meanwhile, immigration lawyers have cautioned that the situation could worsen if Bill C-12 is passed into law. The proposed legislation may introduce permanent restrictions on certain refugee claims, potentially expanding the pool of migrants eligible for removal.
The development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in Canada, many of whom fear that stricter immigration policies could lead to an even higher wave of deportations in the coming months.
