Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Nigeria
Nigeria: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin was 56,176 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Nigeria, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
In 2025, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Nigeria stood at 56,176.
That represents a change of down 35.6% on the previous year and up 9.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Nigeria peaked at 112,382 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 3,457, in 2000.
Nigeria ranks 33rd of 198 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3,457 | — |
| 2001 | 4,133 | +19.6% |
| 2002 | 7,651 | +85.1% |
| 2003 | 14,647 | +91.4% |
| 2004 | 13,254 | -9.5% |
| 2005 | 14,015 | +5.7% |
| 2006 | 8,361 | -40.3% |
| 2007 | 9,725 | +16.3% |
| 2008 | 10,449 | +7.4% |
| 2009 | 9,637 | -7.8% |
| 2010 | 11,912 | +23.6% |
| 2011 | 10,519 | -11.7% |
| 2012 | 14,159 | +34.6% |
| 2013 | 21,332 | +50.7% |
| 2014 | 30,075 | +41.0% |
| 2015 | 51,353 | +70.7% |
| 2016 | 66,862 | +30.2% |
| 2017 | 91,924 | +37.5% |
| 2018 | 84,624 | -7.9% |
| 2019 | 112,382 | +32.8% |
| 2020 | 73,233 | -34.8% |
| 2021 | 83,105 | +13.5% |
| 2022 | 83,402 | +0.4% |
| 2023 | 68,852 | -17.4% |
| 2024 | 87,289 | +26.8% |
| 2025 | 56,176 | -35.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 9,533 | 3,457 | 14,647 | 10 |
| 2010s | 49,514 | 10,519 | 112,382 | 10 |
| 2020s | 75,343 | 56,176 | 87,289 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More social development data for Nigeria
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 123,848 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 478,150 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 4 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 4 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.002 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 478,150 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0005 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Nigeria?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin in Nigeria was 56,176 in 2025, according to Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
- What is the highest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 112,382 in 2019.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,457 in 2000.
- How does Nigeria rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin?
- Nigeria ranks 33rd out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published as part of Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Asylum-seekers are individuals who have sought international protection and whose claims for refugee status have not yet been determined. This includes those who are in various stages of the asylum process, such as initial application, appeal, or awaiting final decision. In specific contexts, asylum-seekers may also include those who are seeking protection under complementary forms of protection, and those enjoying temporary protection, but whose claims are still under consideration.