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Canada from Nigeria.
Nigeria is one of the fastest-growing sources of newcomers to Canada, mostly through Express Entry and study permits.
CAD → NGN
How most Nigerian newcomers immigrate.
Express Entry
Canada’s main system for skilled workers, ranked by points.
Learn moreStudy to permanent residence
Study, get Canadian work experience, then apply for PR.
Learn moreProvincial Nominee Program
Provinces choose newcomers for their local job market.
Learn moreFirst-month priorities for Nigerian newcomers.
On top of the usual first-30-days steps.
Proof of funds
Funds must be available to you and documented with official bank letters. Allow time to move money given currency conversion limits.
Watch for job and immigration scams
Real employers don’t charge for job offers or LMIAs. Check that any consultant is licensed.
Get your degree recognized
Get an educational credential assessment early; regulated jobs also need the provincial regulator.
Send money home without the markup
Compare what arrives in naira, not just the fee.
Your first 30 days in Canada from Nigeria.
A checklist for Nigerian newcomers, in the order most people need it.
SIN, phone and your Nigerian line
Get your Social Insurance Number (how to get a SIN) and a Canadian phone plan. Keep the Nigerian number linked to your BVN active, because Nigerian banks send transaction codes to it.
Bank account and credit
Open a Canadian account and start building credit with a secured card. See best newcomer accounts and secured credit cards.
Health card
Apply for your provincial health card. Ontario has no waiting period; British Columbia makes newcomers wait about three months. See health cards by province.
Protect yourself from scams
Fake job offers, fake landlords and “immigration agents” often target new arrivals. Never pay for a job offer or an LMIA. Read immigration scams and rental scams.
Credential recognition and job search
Contact your regulator if your job is regulated, and adapt your CV to the Canadian résumé style. See credential recognition and Canadian résumé and job search.
Driving: request your FRSC letter
Nigerian licences cannot be exchanged in Ontario. An official letter from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirming your licence can give you credit for experience. See licence exchange by country.
Using your Nigerian qualifications in Canada.
Degrees, licences and documents: what to start early.
Transcripts and the ECA
For an educational credential assessment, most assessors need your university to send sealed transcripts directly. Nigerian universities can be slow, so request them early. Read the ECA guide.
Doctors, nurses and pharmacists
Doctors start with the Medical Council of Canada, nurses usually with the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS), and pharmacists with the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. Each province then licenses you. See find your regulator.
Engineers and accountants
Engineering is regulated by each province. Your COREN registration helps show experience, but you still apply to the Canadian regulator. Accountants with ICAN membership should contact CPA in their province about the route that applies to them.
Authentication of documents
Canada joined the Apostille Convention in January 2024. Check the official status table to see whether a Nigerian apostille is possible. If it is not, ask the Canadian organization how it wants the document authenticated. IRCC usually accepts copies, so ask before you pay for anything.
Sending money to Nigeria.
Compare what arrives in Nigerian nairas, not just the fee: the exchange-rate markup is often the bigger cost. Check payout options your family can use easily, and how fast the money lands.
RemitBee sends from Canada to Nigeria. Check its live rate alongside your bank.
See RemitBee’s ratesRemitBee supports SettleCanada; we may earn a fee.
Where Nigerian communities are strongest.
| City | Nigerian community |
|---|---|
| Toronto | Large community across the GTA, with churches, mosques and state associations. |
| Brampton | Many Nigerian families, African grocery stores and churches. |
| Calgary | Fast-growing community, especially in the northeast and south. |
| Edmonton | One of the largest Nigerian communities in Western Canada. |
| Ottawa | Established community with many professionals in government and tech. |
| Winnipeg | Growing community attracted by lower rents and Manitoba’s nominee program. |
| Halifax | Growing community linked to universities and health jobs. |
A starting point, not a ranking. Every large Canadian city has people from many countries.
Finding your Nigerian community.
Nigerian Independence Day on October 1 is celebrated in Toronto, Calgary and Ottawa, and African festivals run through the summer. Churches, mosques and state associations are active in most large cities.
Settlement agencies can connect you with community organizations and services in your language. Ask when you visit, or call 2-1-1 in most provinces.
Guides for Nigerian newcomers
Common questions from Nigerian newcomers.
Can I keep Nigerian citizenship if I become Canadian?
Nigeria allows dual citizenship for citizens by birth, and Canada allows it too. You can hold both passports.
Can I drive in Canada with my Nigerian licence?
For a short time. In Ontario, a foreign licence is valid for 60 days after you become a resident. You then take the knowledge and road tests. An official FRSC letter can give you credit for up to one year of driving experience in Ontario.
How do I send money to Nigeria cheaply?
Compare the naira amount that arrives, not only the fee. Some providers pay in naira, others in US dollars to a domiciliary account. Avoid informal exchangers.
How do I avoid immigration and job scams?
Use only licensed immigration consultants or lawyers, never pay for a job offer or an LMIA, and check any offer on official government sites. Real employers do not ask for fees.
Should I keep my Nigerian bank accounts?
Many people keep at least one account open for family support and property costs. Keep the phone number linked to your BVN active so you can receive transaction codes.
Sources, checked October 5, 2026: IRCC: Educational credential assessment for Express Entry; ESDC: Foreign Credential Recognition Program; Ontario: Exchange an out-of-province driver’s licence; Ontario: Apply for OHIP and get a health card; HCCH: Apostille Convention status table.
Moving from Nigeria?
One practical email a week, including tips for your corridor.
