By Sabiu Abdullahi
A recent report by Statisense, a data collection organisation, reveals that a staggering 664,384 Nigerians sought asylum in other countries between 2016 and 2023.
This significant increase occurred during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The report, which cites the United Nations Refugee Agency, shows a steady rise in asylum seekers.
In 2016, 66,862 Nigerians sought asylum, increasing to 91,924 in 2017, 84,624 in 2018, 112,382 in 2019, 73,233 in 2020, 83,105 in 2021, 83,402 in 2022, and 68,852 in 2023.
The Republic of Niger hosted the largest number of Nigerian refugees in 2023, with 200,497 individuals.
This brings the total number of Nigerian refugees in Niger between 2015 and 2023 to 1,268,464.
Nigeria also topped the list of African countries whose citizens sought asylum in Canada in 2023, with 10,111 individuals.
Additionally, 1,345 Nigerians sought asylum in the United Kingdom, and 5,136 in the United States.
This trend highlights the need for policymakers to address the underlying factors driving Nigerian citizens to seek asylum abroad.