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The short answer
No. Nigeria is not among the 65 countries listed on the Government of Canada’s social security agreements page (modified 9 October 2026). That means your Nigerian work years cannot be combined with Canadian years to help you qualify for CPP or OAS, but you can still claim from each system on its own rules, and Canada says you do not need an agreement to apply.
Many Nigerians in Canada worked for years at home before moving, then started again in Canada. Social security agreements are how some countries let people combine those careers. Canada has such agreements with dozens of countries. Nigeria is not one of them.
The list
The Government of Canada’s social security agreements page lists 65 partners, from Albania to Uruguay. It includes the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Australia, and in Africa, Morocco and Tunisia. Nigeria is not listed, nor is Ghana or South Africa.
The page also explains what an agreement does: it “does not increase your payment amount – it only helps determine eligibility.” In other words, agreements let periods in the other country count towards Canada’s minimum residence or contribution requirements. Without one, they do not.
What this means for CPP
The Canada Pension Plan is based on your Canadian contributions. The CPP international eligibility page (modified 16 October 2026) says the retirement pension needs at least one valid contribution and can be paid outside Canada. Because CPP has such a low entry requirement, most people who have worked in Canada qualify for something without any agreement. The amount reflects only your Canadian earnings and contributions; Nigerian years add nothing. See having CPP paid to a Nigerian bank.
What this means for OAS
Old Age Security is based on years of residence in Canada after age 18. The same page says you need at least 10 years of residence to receive it while living in Canada, and at least 20 years to have it paid while living abroad. With an agreement, periods in the partner country can help meet these minimums. With Nigeria, they cannot, so a person who arrived in Canada at 50 and wants to retire to Lagos needs 20 Canadian years of their own. See OAS if you retire to Nigeria.
Example (illustrative)
| Person | Years in Canada after 18 | OAS in Canada | OAS paid in Nigeria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrived at 40, retires at 65 | 25 | Meets the 10-year minimum | Meets the 20-year minimum |
| Arrived at 52, retires at 65 | 13 | Meets the 10-year minimum | Does not meet 20 years |
| Arrived at 58, retires at 65 | 7 | Below the 10-year minimum at 65 | Does not meet 20 years |
The amount of OAS also depends on years of residence; these examples only show eligibility thresholds from the page.
The Nigerian side
Nigeria’s Contributory Pension Scheme works through individual Retirement Savings Accounts with a Pension Fund Administrator. PenCom’s 2023 FAQs describe the RSA, the PIN and how contributions are made. Because the RSA balance is your own account, there is nothing to “combine” with Canada: the money stays yours and is paid under Nigerian rules. If you already receive a Nigerian pension from Canada, note PenCom’s July 2026 circular: from 1 December 2026, retirees on monthly pensions must complete “I am alive” verification every 12 months, digitally or at the PFA, or the pension is suspended after a three-month grace period. See accessing your RSA after moving to Canada.
Why agreements matter for other families
Nigerians who also worked in a country that does have an agreement with Canada, such as the United Kingdom or the United States, may be able to use that country’s years under its own agreement. For example, a nurse who worked in the UK before moving to Canada may find those UK years help with Canadian eligibility, even though her Nigerian years do not. Each agreement has its own terms, so check the one that applies to the country concerned.
What to do
- Check your CPP contributions in your My Service Canada Account.
- Count your years of Canadian residence after 18 for OAS, especially if you plan to retire abroad.
- Keep your Nigerian RSA details up to date with your PFA.
- Apply to each system separately when the time comes: Canada says, where there is no agreement, “we encourage you to apply for both Canadian and foreign pensions and benefits.”
Where Pryme fits
If you retire with income in both currencies, a Pryme account can hold Canadian-linked savings and naira side by side, and Swap converts only when you choose, showing the rate and the fee before you approve.
Questions people ask
Is there a social security agreement between Canada and Nigeria?
No. Nigeria is not on the Government of Canada’s list of social security agreement countries, as at October 2026.
Do my Nigerian work years count for CPP?
No. CPP is based on Canadian contributions, and without an agreement Nigerian years cannot help you qualify.
Can I get OAS if I retire to Nigeria?
Only if you have at least 20 years of residence in Canada after age 18 and meet the other conditions.
Can I still get my Nigerian pension while in Canada?
Yes, your RSA remains yours under Nigerian rules. Retirees on monthly pensions must complete PenCom’s annual “I am alive” verification from 1 December 2026.
Sources
- Canada.ca: Social security agreements (modified 9 Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Canada.ca: CPP and OAS international eligibility (modified 16 Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- PenCom: Frequently asked questions (2023 edition) · accessed Oct 2026
- PenCom: Circular on the I am Alive verification exercise (3 Jul 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.