Canada has warmly embraced a total of 10,180 new immigrants from Nigeria, the continent’s leading economy, during the initial six months of 2023.
The latest data provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) illustrates that the nation registered an increase of 0.74 percent in Permanent Residents (PRs) from Nigeria in the first half of this year compared to 2022, when the number stood at 10,105.
Throughout the years, Canada has actively pursued an open-door policy towards immigration, primarily driven by its demand for skilled workers.
Toyyib Adelodun, a prominent immigration consultant based in the UK, stated, “Canada’s welcoming attitude towards immigrants is underscored by its need to address skill shortages.”
Unlike the United Kingdom, where entry might be comparatively easier but the journey to citizenship is extended, Canada’s approach is distinct. Adelodun further explained that “Even during the processing of your PR application, you have the flexibility to visit Canada.”
A Permanent Resident status in Canada grants non-Canadian citizens the right to reside and work in the country indefinitely. It is an immigration visa that affords access to numerous social and healthcare benefits akin to those enjoyed by Canadian citizens, along with protection under Canadian law.
The IRCC data also reveals that among the total influx of 263,180 new immigrants, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, secured the fourth position, trailing behind the Philippines (14,450), China (18,760), and India (84,425). The subsequent countries on the list are Afghanistan (7,670), the United States (6,675), Pakistan (6,355), Eritrea (5,910), France (5,750), and Iran (4,840).
With a dwindling aging population and a declining birth rate, Canada has been confronting a contraction in its labor force. To counter this challenge, the country has intensified its efforts to attract youthful and dynamic immigrants by implementing immigration-friendly policies.
In an ambitious move, the Canadian federal government declared its goal of admitting 500,000 immigrants annually by 2025, anticipating a cumulative inflow of nearly 1.5 million new immigrants within the next three years. Notably, in 2022, Canada welcomed 437,120 Permanent Residents, marking an approximately eight percent surge compared to the preceding year.
In addition to Permanent Residents, Canada has also been a favored destination for international students. Among the top source countries for these students, India (175,021), Nigeria (43,482), the Philippines (21,902), China (14,975), and Nepal (12,776) stand out, as indicated by the IRCC’s data.
In a series of developments this year, Canada introduced measures aimed at simplifying the process for the families of recent immigrants to relocate to the country. This announcement closely followed the UK’s decision to impose restrictions on foreign students bringing their families to the UK starting next year. In the same month, Canada unveiled a new category-based selection approach for its express entry system, designed to address labor shortages and bolster the economy.
While higher education and work opportunities are the primary driving factors for permanent emigration, Nigeria’s current socio-economic challenges, including high inflation, unemployment, and fragile economic growth, have compelled its citizens to seek better prospects abroad.
In line with data from the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s inflation rate surged to nearly 18-month highs at 24.08 percent in July 2023, accompanied by a record unemployment rate of 33.3 percent as of 2020, which has contributed to heightened insecurity within the nation. Last year, the NBS reported that 133 million Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty, a notable increase from the 82.9 million individuals classified as poor in 2019 according to national standards.
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