Nigeria remains one of the main countries of origin at EU+ level. According to EASO Early warning and Preparedness System (EPS) data, close to 16 000 applications were received in EU Member States and associated countries in the 12-month period until August 2021. 

EASO is pleased to announce the update of ‘Country Guidance: Nigeria’. This update, published on 19 October 2021, replaces the first edition of the guidance of February 2019. 

This update is of focused nature. It reflects recent country of origin information concerning the security situation in Nigeria, where the presence and activities of Boko Haram continue to be of concern. In parallel, conflicts between herders and farmers communities and criminality, in particular kidnappings for ransom, have continued to intensify. In this regard, the analysis and guidance on several profiles of applicants from Nigeria, as well as on the eligibility for subsidiary protection, in particular under Article 15(c) of the Qualification Directive, have been updated.

Trafficking in human beings continues to affect women, men, and children from Nigeria, and the trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation of women and girls remains a widespread problem. This update addresses the potential international protection needs in relation to trafficking in the sections on refugee status and subsidiary protection, in particular under Article 15(b) of the Qualification Directive.

These updates and further minor changes in most sections of the document are implemented in light of up-to-date common country of origin information, published by EASO in 2021. They aim to provide current and in-depth analysis and clear and practical guidance to asylum decision-makers and policy-makers in the EU and beyond. While fully respecting the requirement for an individual examination of each application, the ‘Country Guidance: Nigeria’ also aims to foster convergence and to support national authorities in ensuring that similar cases are treated and decided on in a similar manner and in accordance with the applicable international and EU legislation.

The common analysis and guidance were developed jointly with Member States, with valuable input from the European Commission and UNHCR, and have been endorsed by the EASO Management Board.