Over 7,000 Nigerians Applied for Asylum in Sweden in 24 Years

No fewer than 7,646 Nigerians applied for asylum in Sweden between 2000 and 2024, according to figures from the Swedish Migration Agency.

The data, obtained from the agency’s portal, showed a steady flow of Nigerian applications over the years. A total of 6,783 were lodged between 2000 and 2021, while 288 were filed in 2022, 200 in 2023 and 375 in 2024.

Of the 375 applications last year, 239 were first-time claims, while 136 were follow-up requests from migrants whose temporary permits were expiring. Nearly two-thirds of the fresh claims in 2024 came from women. Children accompanied 60 adults, while one travelled alone as an unaccompanied minor.

The highest annual applications from Nigerians were 452 in 2003 and 601 in 2013. Over the same 24-year period, 132 unaccompanied Nigerian minors also sought protection.

Although Nigeria ranks among Africa’s top five sources of asylum seekers in Sweden, its numbers are dwarfed by Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan and Ethiopia. Somalia alone has accounted for more than 54,000 applications since 2000, while Eritrea has produced over 39,000.

In 2024, Nigerian asylum seekers faced an 88 per cent rejection rate. Colombians recorded an even higher 99 per cent denial rate. 

By contrast, Sweden granted the highest number of protections to nationals of Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Ethiopia, Palestine, Ukraine and stateless persons.

Sweden has in recent years toughened its asylum rules, issuing more temporary permits, restricting family reunification and stepping up deportations.

Under the 2023 Tidö Agreement, the government set its protection regime to “the EU’s minimum level.”

According to Punch, an Abuja-based development economist, Dr. Aliyu Ilias, described the trend as a loss for Nigeria. 

“So, it is a total brain drain in the long run, and for the economy, it is reducing our GDP. The appalling part is that most of our Nigerian brothers and sisters who go out do not return,” he said.