Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nigeria
Nigeria: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 478,150 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nigeria, 1968–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nigeria stood at 478,150. That is the highest value across all 42 years on record.
That represents a change of up 2.3% on the previous year and up 184.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nigeria peaked at 478,150 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1970.
That places Nigeria 12th out of 205 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 51,100 | — |
| 1969 | 2,850 | -94.4% |
| 1970 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 1987 | 5 | — |
| 1988 | 15 | +200.0% |
| 1989 | 15 | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 15 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 22 | +46.7% |
| 1992 | 75 | +240.9% |
| 1993 | 95 | +26.7% |
| 1994 | 587 | +517.9% |
| 1995 | 1,942 | +230.8% |
| 1996 | 4,751 | +144.6% |
| 1997 | 3,043 | -36.0% |
| 1998 | 3,998 | +31.4% |
| 1999 | 4,440 | +11.1% |
| 2000 | 5,735 | +29.2% |
| 2001 | 6,077 | +6.0% |
| 2002 | 24,559 | +304.1% |
| 2003 | 24,414 | -0.6% |
| 2004 | 23,882 | -2.2% |
| 2005 | 22,123 | -7.4% |
| 2006 | 13,242 | -40.1% |
| 2007 | 13,898 | +5.0% |
| 2008 | 14,170 | +2.0% |
| 2009 | 15,609 | +10.2% |
| 2010 | 15,645 | +0.2% |
| 2011 | 17,140 | +9.6% |
| 2012 | 18,017 | +5.1% |
| 2013 | 31,173 | +73.0% |
| 2014 | 90,936 | +191.7% |
| 2015 | 167,973 | +84.7% |
| 2016 | 229,290 | +36.5% |
| 2017 | 238,977 | +4.2% |
| 2018 | 276,834 | +15.8% |
| 2019 | 295,578 | +6.8% |
| 2020 | 352,960 | +19.4% |
| 2021 | 383,660 | +8.7% |
| 2022 | 391,120 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 410,308 | +4.9% |
| 2024 | 467,605 | +14.0% |
| 2025 | 478,150 | +2.3% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 478,150 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 9,568, 50.0× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 478,150 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12,726, 37.6× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nigeria changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | +517.9% | 95 | 587 |
| 2002 | +304.1% | 6,077 | 24,559 |
| 1992 | +240.9% | 22 | 75 |
| 1995 | +230.8% | 587 | 1,942 |
| 1988 | +200.0% | 5 | 15 |
| 2014 | +191.7% | 31,173 | 90,936 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 26,975 | 2,850 | 51,100 | 2 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1980s | 11.67 | 5 | 15 | 3 |
| 1990s | 1,897 | 15 | 4,751 | 10 |
| 2000s | 16,371 | 5,735 | 24,559 | 10 |
| 2010s | 138,156 | 15,645 | 295,578 | 10 |
| 2020s | 413,967 | 352,960 | 478,150 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More population data for Nigeria
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0306 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -3.23 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0306 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1509 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 377,460 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.22 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5063 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.023 (2100)
- Population density 523.46 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 32.05 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nigeria?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nigeria was 478,150 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 478,150 in 2025.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1970.
- How does Nigeria rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- Nigeria ranks 12th out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 184.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Refugee population by country or territory of origin. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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