The growing pressure on Nigerians living abroad has taken a new turn in 2026, with several countries stepping up deportations over immigration breaches, criminal convictions and failed asylum claims.
For years, Nigerians have moved to countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Germany in search of better jobs, higher incomes and improved living conditions as reported by the Peoples Gazette.
However, those opportunities have increasingly come with stricter immigration enforcement.
Governments in some destination countries have intensified efforts to remove migrants who overstay their visas, lose asylum cases or are convicted of crimes.
Germany among countries sending Nigerians back
Germany deported 137 Nigerians between February and June 2026, according to figures from the Deportees Emergency Reception and Support Team and Refugees4Refugees.
The deportations were carried out in five batches. Germany returned 27 Nigerians in February, 37 in March, 24 in April, 23 in May and another 26 in June.
Refugees4Refugees said the figures represented an increase compared with previous periods.
The organisation also criticised the Nigerian government over what it described as insufficient attention to the growing number of deportations involving Nigerians.
Ireland removes six Nigerians
Ireland also deported six Nigerian nationals in July following immigration and criminality concerns.
Irish Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan confirmed the operation on July 28.
Five of the six Nigerians reportedly faced a combined 35 criminal charges.
The deportees, all men aged between 25 and 40, were flown out of Ireland on a chartered aircraft.
The journey involved a stop in Rome before they continued to Nigeria. The operation reportedly cost the Irish government €76,895, excluding VAT.
Irish Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy said the operation was aimed at removing people linked to criminal activity from the country.
Canada records hundreds of removals
Canada has also removed a significant number of Nigerians over immigration violations.
Data from the Canada Border Services Agency showed that 438 Nigerians were removed from Canada in 2025.
Another 205 Nigerians were deported during the first half of 2026.
The removals involved different immigration breaches, including visa overstays and unsuccessful asylum claims.
By June 2026, the number of Nigerians removed had reportedly reached 743 when figures covering the relevant period were combined.
Nigeria was among the countries recording the highest number of removals and was the only African nation listed among the top 10 countries in the CBSA data.
Ghana deported Nigerians
Ghana was another West African country that sent Nigerians back after they were found guilty of criminal offences.
In December 2025, Ghanaian authorities deported 42 Nigerians from the Ashanti Region following court proceedings that linked them to prostitution and other offences.
The deportations came after the Nigerians were convicted, with Ghana’s immigration authorities subsequently enforcing their removal from the country.
United States targets criminal offenders
The United States has taken an especially hard stance against migrants accused or convicted of serious offences.
On July 8, the US Department of Homeland Security released a list of people it described as the “worst of the worst” criminal offenders.
The list included 124 Nigerians facing deportation.
Those named were linked to allegations or convictions involving offences such as sexual abuse, money laundering and internet fraud.
The crackdown comes amid a wider US immigration enforcement drive targeting foreign nationals accused of breaking criminal or immigration laws.
Some Nigerians removed from the US have also reportedly been sent to third countries before eventual return to Nigeria.
UK prepares for wider removals
The United Kingdom has strengthened its cooperation with Nigeria on the removal of Nigerians who have no legal basis to remain in the country.
The two governments signed a migration partnership in March.
The agreement was later expanded to address cases involving Nigerians without basic travel documents.
Under the arrangement, the Nigerian government can recognise certain UK-issued documentation to facilitate the return of Nigerians due to be removed but unable to present Nigerian passports.
The development could affect a large number of Nigerians who have either breached immigration rules or have criminal convictions.
The UK has previously carried out joint removal operations involving Nigerian nationals and other foreign migrants.
South Africa faces a different situation
The situation in South Africa differs from the deportation exercises linked to immigration violations in Europe and North America.
Some Nigerians were evacuated from South Africa in 2026 following renewed xenophobic tensions targeting foreign nationals.
Migrants from several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Ethiopia and Lesotho, faced hostility during the unrest.
Some anti-immigrant groups accused foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, of involvement in drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
The tensions reportedly affected Nigerian-owned businesses and raised concerns about the safety of Nigerians living in parts of the country.
Following the unrest and a June 30 deadline issued by an anti-immigrant group for certain foreign nationals to leave, affected governments began arranging evacuations.
Nigeria subsequently evacuated 1,490 citizens from South Africa through a multi-agency operation backed by the Federal Government.
What Nigerians living abroad need to know
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned citizens abroad that government assistance has limits when immigration laws are deliberately violated.
Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said Nigeria could intervene where its citizens suffer human rights abuses.
However, he explained that people who overstay visas or are convicted of crimes must generally face the legal consequences imposed by their host countries.
He compared the situation to foreign nationals living in Nigeria who breach immigration rules.
According to him, Nigerian authorities can also remove foreigners who overstay their visas or violate local laws.
The message is clear: Nigerians living abroad must understand and obey the immigration and criminal laws of their host countries.
While Nigerian diplomatic missions can assist citizens facing genuine rights violations, they cannot shield individuals from legitimate legal action for overstaying visas, committing crimes or breaching immigration conditions.
As immigration enforcement becomes stricter across major destination countries, Nigerians planning to travel or settle abroad are increasingly required to maintain valid documents and comply fully with the laws of their host countries.
