Canadian immigration authorities have deported 366 Nigerian nationals between January and October 2025, while another 974 Nigerians are currently awaiting removal, according to official data released by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

The figures, obtained from the CBSA’s Removals Program and updated as of November 25, 2025, place Nigeria among countries with the highest number of deportations from Canada this year.

According to the agency, individuals already deported had exhausted all legal avenues, while those listed as “removal in progress” have enforceable removal orders but remain in Canada due to pending legal reviews, appeals, or logistical constraints.

“Once a removal order becomes enforceable, the CBSA is legally obligated to carry it out,” a CBSA spokesperson said. “Delays may occur where there are ongoing court processes or operational challenges, but the intent is to ensure removals are executed in line with Canadian law.”

Fluctuating deportation trends
Historical data shows that deportations of Nigerians from Canada have varied significantly over recent years. In 2019, a total of 339 Nigerians were deported. This figure declined to 302 in 2020, 242 in 2021, and 199 in 2022.

Nigeria did not rank among the top deported nationalities in 2023 and 2024, before returning to the list in 2025 with 366 removals, marking a notable increase.

An immigration policy analyst noted that the renewed rise reflects broader enforcement trends rather than country-specific targeting.

“What we are seeing is a system-wide tightening,” the analyst said. “Canada is enforcing existing laws more aggressively as it recalibrates immigration levels amid domestic pressures.”

Enforcement at decade-high levels
The surge in Nigerian deportations comes amid a broader crackdown on immigration violations, with Canadian authorities now removing nearly 400 foreign nationals each week—the highest weekly deportation rate in over a decade.

In the 2024–2025 fiscal year, Canada deported an estimated 18,000 people, according to CBSA figures.

Under Canadian law, the CBSA is mandated to remove any foreign national deemed inadmissible, including those found in breach of immigration regulations, involved in criminal activity, posing security risks, or guilty of misrepresentation.

“Removal is not discretionary once inadmissibility is established and all legal remedies are exhausted,” the CBSA spokesperson added.

Canadian authorities say the intensified deportation drive is part of efforts to meet revised immigration targets and ease mounting pressures on housing availability, labour markets, and border security.

To support the increased enforcement, the federal government has approved additional funding aimed at strengthening removal operations and enhancing border control mechanisms.

Meanwhile, immigration advocates have urged affected migrants to seek timely legal advice, noting that early intervention can sometimes alter outcomes before removal orders become enforceable.

The CBSA maintains that all removals are conducted in accordance with due process and international obligations, stressing that enforcement remains a key pillar of Canada’s immigration system.