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New Delhi, India — The Government of India has deported at least 2,356 Nigerian nationals over a five-year period from 2019 to 2024, official figures obtained from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs show.
The data reveals that deportations escalated significantly, rising from 339 Nigerians in 2021 to 1,470 in the 2023–2024 fiscal year, making Nigeria the leading nationality among those removed by Indian authorities.
During the 2023–2024 period, Nigerians accounted for about 63 per cent of all foreigners deported by the Foreigners Regional Registration Offices across major cities, including Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Amritsar, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
The deportations were largely linked to expired visas, particularly among those who initially entered on student visas and overstayed, as well as drug-related cases identified by Indian law enforcement agencies.
India’s immigration enforcement has also been strengthened by new laws enacted in 2025, increasing penalties for unauthorised stays and mandating tighter reporting requirements for foreign students and workers.
Despite the high deportation figures, Nigerians continue to form a large community in India — estimated at more than 60,000 residents and workers — making it one of the largest West African diasporas in the country.
The development comes amid ongoing diplomatic and economic engagement between Nigeria and India, including high-level visits and growing bilateral trade and investment, even as immigration compliance issues remain a challenge.
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Oyetoke Adedayo Ebenezer
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