Canada Rejects Over 13,000 Asylum Claims From Nigerians- Read More...

 

Between January 2013 and December 2024, no fewer than 13,171 Nigerians seeking refugee protection in Canada had their claims rejected, according to data from the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).

Nigeria ranked fifth among countries with the highest number of rejected refugee claims, alongside Mexico (2,954), India (1,688), Haiti (982), and Colombia (723), according to a report by Sunday Punch.

The IRB grants refugee status to applicants who meet the United Nations’ definition of a Convention refugee, which is incorporated into Canadian law.

The 1951 UN Convention on Refugees defines refugees as individuals with a well-founded fear of persecution based on their race, nationality, religion, political beliefs, or membership in a particular social group.

These social groups can include sexual orientation, gender identity, being a woman, or individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

Applicants must also provide evidence of torture, threats to life, or the risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment if they are forced to return to their home country.

Typically, refugee claims are made when immigrants notify the Border Services Agency upon arrival at a Canadian port of entry or report to an immigration officer.

If a claim is deemed eligible, it is referred to the RPD to begin the refugee determination process.

During the period under review, 94 claims from Nigerian passport holders were abandoned, often due to:

Failure to submit the Basis of Claim Form on time

Inability to provide correct and current contact information

Non-attendance at refugee protection hearings

Additionally, 78 claims were withdrawn, meaning the applicants chose not to proceed with their requests. As of 2024, 19,889 claims from Nigerians were still pending.

The number of rejected claims fluctuated over the years:

2013 – 127 rejections

2014 – 241 rejections

2015 – 248 rejections

2016 – 476 rejections

2017 – 917 rejections

2018 – 1,777 rejections

2019 – 3,951 rejections (highest annual figure)

2020 – 1,770 rejections

2021 – 1,686 rejections

2022 – 728 rejections

2023 – 439 rejections

2024 – 811 rejections

Despite the high rejection rate, 10,580 Nigerians successfully obtained refugee protection over the past decade.

In 2024 alone, 2,230 Nigerians were granted asylum.

Nigeria ranked 8th among the top 10 countries with the highest number of accepted claims.

Other countries in the top 10 include:

Turkiye – 4,866 successful claims

Mexico – 4,363 successful claims

Colombia – 3,340 successful claims

Iran – 3,200 successful claims

Pakistan – 2,556 successful claims

Haiti – 2,211 successful claims

Afghanistan – 1,921 successful claims

Kenya – 1,653 successful claims

The number of successful Nigerian asylum claims has varied over the years:

2013 – Fewer than 20 approvals

2014 – 308 approvals

2015 – 394 approvals

2016 – 389 approvals

2017 – 764 approvals

2018 – 755 approvals

2019 – 1,733 approvals

2020 – 1,534 approvals

2021 – 2,302 approvals

2022 – 1,315 approvals

2024 – 2,230 approvals

While thousands of Nigerians continue to seek refugee status in Canada, the rejection rate remains significant.

With over 19,000 claims still pending, the outcome of these applications will determine future trends in Canada’s immigration policy toward Nigerian asylum seekers.

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Breaking News: VP Shettima Expresses Frustration, Considers Resignation Saying "Tinubu’s Son Has Taken Over My Role" — Read More...

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has voiced his frustration over what he describes as a dangerous and deliberate sidelining of his role, alleging that President Bola Tinubu’s son has been carrying out many of his official duties.

"I have never truly felt like the Vice President of Nigeria. While I should be handling key responsibilities, Tinubu's son has taken over my work," Shettima reportedly stated.

Expressing concerns over the marginalization of the North, Shettima lamented that his position as the country’s second-in-command has been systematically undermined and stripped of authority.

"I have, on several occasions, considered resigning as Vice President so the world can see Tinubu for who he truly is. Placing me in this position merely to hold the North in place while your son carries out my duties is nothing short of a mockery," he added.

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JUST IN: Dangote Refinery reduces Petrol Price (Today. See New Price). Read More...

 Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced its petrol loading cost from N825 per litre to N815 per litre.

With the new price introduced on Thursday, many marketers are now bypassing private depots to source fuel directly from the refinery.

The N10 reduction is expected to pressure private depot owners into lowering their prices to remain competitive.

Earlier in the week, reports showed that the landing cost of imported petrol had dropped to N774.72 per litre.

Marketers said this decline could soon push pump prices to about N800 per litre.

The ongoing price competition started when the cost of imported petrol, which includes shipping, import duties, and exchange rates, fell by N50.28 per litre.

This led some marketers to opt for imported products instead of Dangote’s fuel due to price differences.

In an effort to maintain its market share, the refinery, with a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, responded by cutting its price.

However, after adding the N10 levy from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the final cost stands at N825 per litre.

Private depot owners in Lagos have also adjusted their prices, reducing loading costs to match Dangote’s offer.

Some depots, such as Bovas and Integrated, are selling at N826 per litre, while others like AITEO and WOSBAB set their prices at N827 and N831, respectively.

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Just In NNPC reduces petrol pump price. Read More...

 The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has reduced the price of petrol to N860 per litre.

This move follows a recent reduction by Dangote Refinery, which also lowered their fuel prices from N890 to N825 per litre.

Hammed Fashola, National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), confirmed the price reduction, calling it a positive development for Nigerians.

While the price change has not yet appeared on the official portal, NNPC has assured that updates are in progress.

“It is true, NNPC is selling petrol at N860 in the filling stations. Though this has not reflected on the portal, they told me they are working on updating the portal,” he said.

Checks revealed that some NNPC’s retail stations in Lagos have adjusted their pumps to N860 per litre from the previous N945 per litre.

This price cut is expected to bring some relief to consumers who have been facing high fuel costs for some time...

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Dangote Donates N8 Billion To IBB Presidential Library. Read More...

 

The President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has praised former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, popularly known as IBB, for implementing policies that liberated the private sector in Nigeria during his regime. Dangote made this statement on Thursday during the unveiling of the book “A Journey in Service”, the autobiography of the former Head of State.

The event also served as a fundraiser for the IBB Presidential Library. Africa’s wealthiest man donated N8 billion to the IBB Presidential Library, to be paid at N2 billion annually over the four years allocated for the project’s completion. He further pledged that if the project extends beyond this timeframe, he would continue to donate N2 billion annually until it is finished. 

Dangote, who is the largest employer of labour after the government, commended Babangida for his transformative policies that encouraged Nigerian investors to play prominent roles in the economy. He particularly highlighted the abolition of import licences, which helped stimulate domestic industries. These reforms, among others, ensured that Nigeria now has more private-sector involvement than any other country in Africa. This shift, he said, led to a contribution of 85% of the country’s GDP from the private sector, while the government contributes just 15%.

“Your Excellency, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all you have done for Nigeria. Many may not realise that you were the architect of the private sector in Nigeria. Anyone in the private sector who has achieved prominence today owes it to you, as you provided us with the necessary licences. In the past, we used to struggle to obtain licences through intermediaries, including Indians,” he said. 

Dangote recalled how Babangida’s policies facilitated the growth of Nigerian businesses, enabling them to thrive. “Your Excellency, in 1986, you abolished the requirements for import licences, and it was because of that decision that we were able to reach the highest levels of growth. I recall a day when you granted almost 30 of us banking licences. You also instructed five Nigerians to pay N1 million each for oil blocs. 

“Your Excellency, I could continue to list all the reforms you introduced that liberated the private sector, which is why Nigeria has more private sector involvement than any other country in Africa. It is only in Nigeria where government contribution to GDP is a mere 15%, with the remainder being driven by the private sector,” he added while expressing hope that future Nigerian leaders will adopt similar policies for the betterment of the country.

“I want to thank you once again, and I am confident that future leaders will continue to follow your example, working closely with the private sector.” On his contribution to the IBB Presidential Library project, Dangote said, “Your Excellency, based on what I have observed, I believe this project will require at least four years to complete. I would like to contribute N2 billion each year for the next four years, amounting to N8 billion in total. Should the project extend beyond four years, I will continue to contribute N2 billion annually.” 

Other prominent Nigerians also pledged contributions to the library’s construction. The Chief Launcher and Founder of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, donated N5 billion, while the co-Chief Launcher and Founder of the TY Danjuma Foundation, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, donated N3 billion. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the event, remarked that by writing his memoir, Babangida had not only contributed to making history but also to documenting it.

However, he cautioned the former military Head of State to expect varied reactions to the book, including good, bad, and ugly ones. Former President Goodluck Jonathan also praised Babangida for the launch of his memoir and stated that Nigeria’s history would be incomplete without the story of the former Head of State. During the book’s review, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo quoted Babangida as saying that late Moshood Abiola, who contested the 1993 presidential election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, won the election.

However, Babangida described the annulment of the election as the most difficult decision of his life. “There was no doubt in my mind; MKO Abiola won the election. He satisfied all the requirements,” Babangida was quoted as saying. 

The former military leader noted that while the annulment of the election remained a defining moment in his career, he took solace in the fact that former President Muhammadu Buhari posthumously honoured Abiola with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic title, a recognition reserved for Nigerian presidents...

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Delta Airlines Offers $30,000 to Passengers on Plane That Crashed in Toronto. Read More...

 

US airline Delta has announced that it will offer $30,000 to each passenger on a plane that crashed while landing at Toronto airport earlier this week. The gesture, which has no strings attached, is intended to support the 80 passengers who were on board the flight.

The plane, which departed from Minneapolis, Minnesota, hit the runway hard and flipped upside down, engulfing the aircraft in a fireball and thick plumes of black smoke. Miraculously, none of the passengers were killed, although 21 were injured, with one still hospitalized as of Wednesday morning.

Delta’s offer comes as Canada’s Transportation Safety Board launches an investigation into the crash, assisted by the US Federal Aviation Administration and other parties. The incident is the latest in a recent string of air incidents in North America, highlighting concerns over aviation safety.

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Elder Statesman Edwin Clark Is dead. See Me...

Former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Edwin Clark, is dead.

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) leader died at 97 on Monday night, according to a statement signed by Prof. C. C. Clark for the family.

The statement read, “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON on Monday 17th February, 2025. The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family.”

This comes days after Afenifere leader Ayo Adebanjo’s death. Adebanjo was aged 96.

More details later.....

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