375 Nigerians seek asylum in Sweden

A total of 375 Nigerian nationals submitted asylum applications in Sweden in 2024, with a significant number of them being women between the ages of 25 and 44, according to new statistics from the Swedish Migration Agency.

Of the total, 239 were first-time applicants, while 136 individuals sought to renew or extend existing temporary protection. Nigeria placed ninth globally and fourth among African countries in terms of the volume of asylum requests, based on data published on the agency’s “Asyl” portal.

Eritrea topped the list among African nations, recording 2,692 applications, followed by Somalia (1,316), Ethiopia (597), and Nigeria (375).

A demographic review of the figures indicates that nearly half of Nigerian applicants were adults of working age, particularly between 25 and 44 years. No applications were filed by Nigerians aged 65 or older.

There was also a marked gender imbalance among first-time applicants: “Women accounted for nearly two-thirds—159 women compared to 80 men,” the report noted.

The agency documented that 60 children accompanied their parents or guardians during the asylum process,