Newz•Asylum figure drops over 30% to 56,176 as world tightens rules •Strict border controls not solution, pushes migrants to dangerous routes – IOM •Desperation fuels irregular migration- Ex-envoy By Nkiruka Nnorom NIGERIA’S refugee crisis has deepened significantly, with the number of Nigerians living as refugees abroad surging by 36 per cent to 478,150 in six years, despite unprecedented tightening of immigration laws by major destination countries. Data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, obtained by Vanguard, shows that the number of Nigerians recognised as refugees abroad under UNHCR mandate rose to 478,150 in 2025 from 352,960 in 2020 even as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union, EU, continue to slam their doors with the toughest immigration curbs in modern history. The figure represents an increase of 125,190 persons or 36 per cent in six years.
A year-on-year breakdown shows a steady, unbroken rise. From 352,960 in 2020, it rose to 383,660 in 2021, indicating an 8.7 per cent increase. It inched up to 391,120 in 2022, rose to 410,308 in 2024, and then spiked by 17 per cent to the current 478,150 in 2025, the sharpest rise in the period under review.
UNHCR data indicated that the figure accelerated in 2026 with Niger, Cameroon and Chad alone now hosting 475,901 Nigerian refugees. Further breakdown shows that Niger (258,402), Cameroon (127,858), Canada (34,125), Chad (22,811) and Italy with 22,186 emerged the top five destinations for Nigeria’s refugees during the period with Niger, Cameroon and Chad hosting 85 per cent of the number, suggesting that most Nigerians who flee do not go far. In contrast, the number of Nigerians seeking asylum – those whose claims are pending – dropped by 35.6 per cent to 56,176 in 2025 from 87,289 in 2020, a development UNHCR Nigeria attributed to fewer pending claims in the United States.
It said pending claims in the US fell to 3,033 during the period from 33,414 in 2020. UNHCR Nigeria told Vanguard that the declining asylum figure does not suggest a fall in the number of people fleeing the country, saying the figure represents claims awaiting a decision. “The figure falls when claims are decided or closed, not because fewer people are fleeing,” it said.
On the rising refugee number, the UN refugee agency attributed it to the escalating conflict and insecurity across th…
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