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Top Reasons to Immigrate to Canada from Nigeria

October 23, 2023

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  • Sinethemba Phongolo

Canada has steadily earned a reputation as a haven and source of hope for a better life for many immigrants from developing nations. Nigerians are among the most prominent nationalities from the developing world who consistently choose to make Canada their home.

If you’re searching for a better life as a Nigerian, Canada is the place to be, with Nigeria topping the list of Canada's largest African immigrant population.

Searching for reasons you should move from Nigeria to Canada? Look no further than our top 5 reasons to immigrate to Canada!

Top 5 Reasons to Immigrate to Canada From Nigeria

Canada’s Higher Salaries

One of the main reasons why Nigerians should consider immigrating to Canada is the higher salaries available for workers. Canada has a strong economy with a high demand for skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers.

To ensure its high worker demand is fulfilled, Canada offers high salaries, especially compared to a developing nation like Nigeria. This presents a great opportunity if you are a Nigerian worker, to whom the depressed salaries of your homeland may be a highly motivating factor for you to look for greener pastures overseas.

Canada’s significantly higher salaries than Nigeria’s are clearly outlined in the table below. Figures obtained from numbeo.com.

Countries  Avarage Annual Net Salary (After Tax) in NGN Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) in NGN
Canada 26,490,347.57 2,207,801.24
Nigeria 1,160,763.36 96,741.09

This significantly higher earning potential for workers makes moving to Canada an easy choice if you’re Nigerian.

Canada’s Low Unemployment Rate

Canada's unemployment rate of 5.67%, according to the World Population Review, is one of the lowest in the world, making it an attractive destination for Nigerians looking for work.

With one of the largest and fastest-growing populations in the world, Nigeria’s economy has consequently experienced difficulties absorbing the large numbers of domestic labor at hand. No more is this evident than in the country’s large youth unemployment rate of 53.40 %, according to the country’s National Bureau of Statistics.

If you’re a young Nigerian, forging a fulfilling, lucrative career is a perfect reason to immigrate to Canada. With 843,200 job vacancies currently available, according to Statistics Canada, there has never been a better time to claim a place in Canada’s labor.

Find out more about employment in Canada.

Universal Access to Canada’s Quality Primary and Secondary Education

Canada's education system is consistently ranked among the best in the world, ranking fourth among countries with the best education systems according to the World Population Review. Furthermore, according to the World Population Review, Canada is the world’s most educated country, with 56.27% of the population having completed a post-secondary education.

As a Nigerian immigrant in Canada, you will have access to a publicly funded, universally accessible education system responsible for the country’s 99% literacy rate. This is 29.43% higher than Nigeria’s literacy rate of 59.57%, according to the World Population Review.

If you’re struggling to find a school for your child in Nigeria, there is no better country to solve that problem than Canada. With its belief that education is a human right, you can feel secure that your child will be in good hands in Canada’s primary and secondary education system.

Lastly, should you receive permanent residency in Canada as a Nigerian, enrolling your child in Canada’s education system ensures they can attend world-class schools without you having to pay any additional fees.

Find out more about Canada’s education system.

Canada’s Socio-Political Stability

Canada is known for its stable socio-political climate, which makes it a safe and secure destination for immigrants. The country has consistently conducted free and fair elections for the past 156 years.

However, according to the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), elections in Nigeria are still closely monitored for any possible breakouts of violence. This hinders the capability of many citizens to live stable and secure lives.

Furthermore, with the threat of terrorist insurgencies in the Northeast, you may seek refugee status in Canada if you are a Nigerian from this region. Finally, if you are a middle-class Nigerian seeking clean governance as proof that your taxes are used to benefit your country, Nigeria’s high corruption levels may be an impetus for you to move to Canada.

According to transparency.org Global Corruption Barometer, 44% of public service users in Nigeria paid a bribe in the past 12 months. These high levels of corruption are reflected in the country’s corruption perception index rank of (150/180), making it the 30th most country in the world according to trasperncy.org. In comparison, Canada’s corruption perception index rank is (14/180), which makes it the 14th least corrupt country in the world according to transparency. org.

Access to Canada’s World-Class Infrastructure System

Canada has a world-class infrastructure system supported by a well-maintained and efficient water and electrical supply system.

Furthermore, Canada’s transport infrastructure is extensive and commuter-friendly, with varied public transportation systems including:

  • Trains,
  • Subways,
  • Rapid Transit Buses,
  • Trams, and
  • Taxis.

These public transportation systems are widely accessible, timely, and affordable..

This is a major disadvantage if you live in a region with poor road conditions, impacting your ability to access economic opportunities in Nigeria's urban centers. This may spur you on to seek a better life in a foreign country like Canada.

How to Immigrate From Nigeria to Canada?

There are several popular ways for Nigerians to immigrate to Canada, including:

Express Entry System (FSWP, FSTP)

The Express Entry system expedites skilled workers to immigrate to Canada and gain permanent residency. The Express Entry system also manages the:

Learn more about why the Express Entry is the fastest way to Canada PR.

Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows eleven provinces and territories in Canada to nominate immigrants who have the skills and experience needed to contribute to the local economy.

Find out more about how the Provincial Nominee Program works.

Start-Up Visa

The Start-Up Visa program attracts entrepreneurs with the skills and experience to start a business and contribute economically to Canada.

Learn more about the Start-up Visa program.

Canada Work Permits

Canada Work Permits allow eligible foreign individuals to work in Canada temporarily. The experience gained working in Canada with a work permit can put you on a path to obtaining a permanent residency via the Canadian Experience Class.

Find out more about how to get a Canadian work permit.

Canada Study Permit

A Canada Study Permit allows international students to study at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. Students with a valid study permit may also be eligible to work in Canada while studying. You can also work after your studies using the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) and gain the experience needed to be eligible to apply for TR to PR pathways.

Find out more about how to get a Canada study permit.

How Can You Immigrate From Nigeria to Canada as a Refugee?

If you’re a Nigerian seeking refuge in another country, you may be able to resettle in Canada as a refugee. To be eligible to apply, you will need a referral from a designated referral organization like the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), a private sponsorship group, or a mix of both.

Learn more about how to immigrate to Canada as a refugee.

FAQs

Do I Need to Take a Language Exam to Immigrate to Canada From Nigeria?

Yes, all immigrants to Canada must take a language test to demonstrate their proficiency in either English or French. Make sure your language test is accepted by the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).

How Much Does it Cost to Immigrate to Canada From Nigeria?

The cost of immigrating to Canada varies depending on the immigration program you are applying for. However, in general, the processing fee for permanent residence applications (including the right of permanent residence fee) is 1,365 CAD.

Learn more about how much it costs to move to Canada.