1,917 Nigerians sought Netherlands asylum in two years – Report

A report from the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service reveals a significant number of Nigerians sought asylum in the Netherlands over a two-year period. Between 2024 and 2025, at least 1,917 Nigerians applied for asylum, with figures showing a year-on-year increase.

In 2024, 931 Nigerians applied, followed by 986 in 2025, marking a 5.9% rise. The data, compiled by the Dutch Council for Refugees for the Asylum Information Database, does not include family reunification cases, suggesting the total number of Nigerians joining family in the Netherlands is higher.

Nigeria consistently ranked among the top African nationalities for asylum applications. In 2024, it was ninth globally among asylum applicants. By 2025, Nigeria moved up to sixth position among identified nationalities. Among African nationalities, only Eritrea, Algeria, and Somalia filed more applications than Nigeria over the two years.

However, the outcomes for Nigerian applicants were largely unfavorable. In 2025, 83% of first-instance decisions resulted in rejections. Only 13% were granted refugee status, with smaller percentages receiving subsidiary or humanitarian protection.