An average of 6,960 Nigerians became Canadian citizens each Half-Year between 2022 and 2025

Key Takeaways

  • Nigerian naturalisations in Canada rose from 5,286 in H1 2022 to 6,831 in H1 2025, a 29% increase overall.
  • H1 2023 marked the highest level with 7,400 new citizens.
  • Numbers declined through 2024, bottoming at 6,057 in H2.
  • The rebound in H1 2025 signals sustained interest in Canadian citizenship among Nigerians.

From 2022 to 2025, the number of Nigerian-born individuals acquiring Canadian citizenship reflects a journey of strong growth and gradual stabilisation. The surge from 5,286 in early 2022 to a peak of 7,400 in 2023 highlights Canada’s openness to skilled and permanent migrants, while the later dip in 2024 mirrors slower processing times and tighter migration caps. Yet, with 6,831 new citizens in H1 2025, Nigerians continue to strengthen their presence within Canada’s naturalisation landscape, underscoring both countries’ enduring migration and diaspora ties.

Source:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Period:

H1 2022 - H1 2025
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Over 26,000 Africans became Canadian citizens in H1 2025; one in four of these are Nigerians
  • Nigeria accounts for 25.9% of all new Canadian citizens of African origin, more than triple any other African country.
  • Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia rank next, each contributing over 5% of total new citizens of African origin.
  • Countries like Eritrea, Ethiopia, and DR Congo show steady growth, reflecting widening migration links with Canada.
  • South Africa closes the top ten with 832 citizens (3.2%), indicating smaller but consistent migration flows.

4.5% of new Canadian citizens in H1 2025 were Nigerians; almost one in four were Indians
  • India accounts for 23.4% of all new citizens, the largest share by far.
  • Four of the top five source countries (India, Philippines, Iran, China) are in Asia, showing the region’s migration strength.
  • Nigeria ranks third, contributing 4.5% of total new citizens, the highest share from Africa.
  • Traditional migration partners like the U.K. and U.S.A. contribute smaller shares, under 3% each, highlighting a shifting global migration pattern.

Egypt and Nigeria were Africa’s leading sources of international scholars in the US in 2023/24
  • Egypt remained the lead African country with the highest number of international scholars in the US, with 942 recorded in the 2023/2024 academic session.
  • As of the 2023/2024 academic session, 4,679 international scholars in the United States of America are from Africa.
  • A total of 931 international scholars in the US as of the same session are from Nigeria.
  • Africa produced 4.2% of the international scholars in the US for the session under review.

Africa saw its highest net migration gain of 328K people in 1985, followed by net migration losses except in 2020
  • Africa’s largest net migration gain was in 1985, with +328K people.
  • The continent faced its steepest loss in 2010, with -998K.
  • 2020 was a standout year in recent decades with +248K net gain.
  • The 2024 net migration figure of -644K is the third-largest loss since 1955.
  • Despite a partial recovery in 2025 to -378K, losses still outweigh gains.

Immigrants make up nearly 1 in 5 people in Gabon, leading African countries with highest migrant populations
  • Gabon leads with 18.7% of its population being immigrants, the highest in Africa.
  • Equatorial Guinea follows with 16.4%, also driven by oil-related labor demand.
  • Djibouti (12.1%) and Libya (12.0%) round out the top four with migrant shares over 10%.
  • South Africa has the highest immigrant population in Southern Africa at 4.8%.
  • Most African nations still record under 5% immigrant share, indicating modest migration levels continent-wide.

UAE’s population is 88% immigrants as Gabon tops African list with 19% migrant share
  1. The United Arab Emirates tops the list with immigrants making up 88% of its total population.
  2. Qatar follows closely with 87% of its residents being immigrants.
  3. Kuwait (73%) and Bahrain (55%) also feature prominently, showing a regional trend where nationals are a minority and foreign workers form the economic backbone
  4. Middle Eastern dominance in the top rankings highlights how the Gulf region’s economic model is heavily dependent on imported labor and expatriate populations.

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