Nigeria currently leads the worldwide asylum claims to Canada in spite COVID-19 travel restrictions.
According to Quartz Africa’s report, the number of Nigerians that were issued permanent residence (PR) permits by the government of Canada has tripled since 2015. 12,595 Nigerians were issued permits in 2019 alone.
While the figures reflect individuals who migrated to Canada through its skilled workers immigration program, it should be noted that Nigerians are also moving to Canada through other means.
Quartz reported that Nigeria is about to end 2020 with the biggest number of finalized asylum claims to Canada for the fourth consecutive year. Nigeria displaced China as the country with the highest finalized asylum claims in 2016.
Nigeria’s grip on the top spot still persists at a time when there is a major slowdown in asylum claim rates induced by global travel restrictions amid COVID-19 pandemic. As a matter of fact, Canada has witnessed a 71% fall in finalized asylum claims so far in 2020.
Though Canada’s skill-based immigration program presents immediate residency permits and a long-term path to citizenship, the perceived openness of Canada to immigrants relative to the US in recent years translates to the fact that Canada has also become subject to increasing asylum claims as well. Recently, Canada announced plans to welcome extra 1.2 million immigrants over the next three years.
The ongoing immigration drive of Canada to grow its labor force has contributed to its appeal for middle-class Nigerians who are increasingly chasing exit plans to leave Nigeria amid the country’s ongoing economic problems.
For many Nigerians, migrating to Canada is also induced by opening up increased educational and life opportunities for their kids.
