Over 300 Nigerians Seek Asylum in Iceland
Over 300 Nigerians Seek Asylum in Iceland Since 2020, Most Granted Temporary Stay
Iceland’s Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun) has reported that 331 Nigerians have applied for asylum in the country between 2020 and May 2024, with most applicants receiving short-term humanitarian leave rather than full refugee status.
According to the agency’s annual report, Tölfræði verndarsviðs, Nigerian asylum applications have steadily risen over the years—starting with 37 in 2020, 50 in 2021, 67 in 2022, a post-pandemic spike to 125 in 2023, and 52 recorded in the first five months of 2024.
In 2020, Iceland resolved a backlog of 96 Nigerian cases from 2019: 44 applicants received residence permits, three were granted refugee status, 41 got humanitarian visas, and 37 were denied.
In 2021, of 60 cases processed, only three were granted asylum, while 43 were redirected to other European countries under the EU’s Dublin Regulation, which shifts responsibility to nations where asylum seekers were first registered.
By 2022, the Directorate reviewed 76 Nigerian cases, issuing 22 permits—including two refugee recognitions and 20 humanitarian stays—while denying 28 and transferring 26 to other states.
Humanitarian leave, often granted over full refugee status, is typically valid for one year and must be renewed.
The 2023 increase was partly driven by relaxed post-COVID travel conditions and stricter UK visa rules.
However, despite the 125 new Nigerian asylum applications that year, only one was granted refugee status and 22 were given humanitarian visas.
Thirteen were denied, and a significant 108 cases were closed without a full interview, largely as transfers to other EU states.
From January to May 2024, Iceland processed 149 Nigerian cases, mostly clearing the backlog.
The drop in new applications coincided with the introduction of tougher credibility interviews modeled on Sweden’s asylum vetting system.
While Nigerians lead asylum applications among West African countries, Somalia and Eritrea continue to dominate overall African asylum requests in Iceland due to established diasporas and higher approval rates.
Other African nations like Sudan, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo recorded fewer than a dozen applications annually.
The Directorate noted that Iceland, which handles about 1,500 asylum claims per year, can become quickly overwhelmed.
In November 2023, the Ministry of Social Affairs requested emergency funds due to overcrowded accommodations—Nigerians reportedly made up about 20% of those requiring late-season lodging.
Despite being among the top 10 nationalities seeking protection, Nigerians face a relatively low success rate compared to applicants from Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Iran, Somalia, and Eritrea.
Over 300 Nigerians Seek Asylum in Iceland