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The United Kingdom has received a total of 22,619 asylum applications from Nigerian nationals between 2010 and 2024, according to new data released by the UK Home Office.
In a striking development, the number of Nigerian asylum seekers nearly doubled in 2024, climbing from 1,462 in 2023 to 2,841 in just one year. This dramatic increase has sparked renewed interest in migration patterns from West Africa to the UK, with Nigeria now accounting for 1 in every 30 asylum claims submitted during this 14-year period.
Based on the UK Home Office’s latest Asylum and Resettlement statistics, Nigeria currently ranks 11th among all nationalities seeking refuge in the UK. The overall data paints a broader picture of escalating global displacement, with asylum applications to the UK reaching 108,138 in 2024 alone — a 378% increase compared to 2010.
Global Pressures Driving Asylum Surge
The recent figures suggest a global shift in refugee flows, with the majority of first-time asylum applications in 2024 coming from regions facing political unrest, religious persecution, or economic collapse — particularly South Asia and the Middle East.
At the top of the list is Iran, which has seen a staggering 75,737 asylum applications since 2010. Analysts attribute this trend to increased persecution of political dissidents by the Iranian regime, particularly following waves of anti-government protests.
Pakistan ranks second with 57,621 claims over the same period. The country saw 10,542 asylum applications in 2024 alone, driven by political instability following controversial elections, rising inflation, and a surge in blasphemy-related prosecutions. Human rights organizations say these factors have created strong grounds for asylum seekers.
Afghanistan holds the third spot, with 54,363 applications filed since 2010. The aftermath of the Taliban’s return to power in 2022 continues to displace thousands of Afghans. The UK received 8,508 Afghan asylum claims in 2024, following 11,358 in 2022 and 9,710 in 2023.
Nigeria’s Asylum Trend: A Rising Concern
Nigeria’s sharp increase in asylum seekers in 2024 stands out against the broader backdrop. While not in the top 10 yet, the nearly twofold jump in Nigerian applications within a year has sparked concern among UK immigration analysts and human rights observers.
Experts point to a mix of insecurity, economic hardship, political disenchantment, and limited access to justice in Nigeria as underlying factors behind this migration trend. Incidents ranging from rising banditry in northern states to youth unemployment and mistrust in public institutions have made the idea of asylum abroad more appealing to many Nigerians.
The Home Office report notes that while many applicants do not meet the criteria for full refugee status, the volume of applications alone underscores the deepening struggles faced by people in origin countries — and the increasing pressures on asylum systems in destination nations like the UK.
What Comes Next?
With general elections looming in the UK and migration remaining a hot-button political issue, these rising asylum figures — especially from countries like Nigeria — are likely to feed into larger debates about immigration policy, border control, and the UK’s role in the global humanitarian landscape.
As the numbers grow, so does the question: What more can be done — both by countries of origin and destination — to address the root causes pushing people to flee in the first place?
