Some Nigerians studying in the United Kingdom are racing to secure legal pathways to remain in the country as their student visas near expiration, amid stricter migration policies recently announced by the UK government.
In an emergency alert published on its website on September 6, the government revealed that around 10,000 international students had already been contacted to leave once their visas expire. Officials said the move follows a surge in asylum claims, which more than tripled under the previous government and now make up 37% of all applications. International students account for the largest share at 40%.
To address the trend, UK authorities launched a direct messaging campaign warning students against submitting “meritless” asylum applications, stressing that overstayers would face removal.
Nigeria remains the UK’s third-largest source of foreign students, with 34,500 enrolled in the 2023/24 academic year. But Sunday reports suggest many Nigerians are unsettled by the latest rules.
A PhD student in Scotland confirmed that panic had spread among Nigerian students, noting that while some had switched to skilled worker visas, many others faced uncertainty. He explained that the post-study work visa has been reduced from two years to 18 months, and students unable to secure sponsorship risk becoming illegal immigrants.
Another postgraduate student from the University of Salford, who recently switched to a skilled worker visa valid until 2028, described the changes as “devastating,” saying many were now exploring alternatives outside the UK.
A Nigerian graduate from Cambridge, meanwhile, disclosed she had already applied for a post-study visa and planned to remain in the UK for work and further studies.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has urged citizens to avoid overstaying visas, warning that it is a criminal offence.
Experts remain divided. Education consultant Tolani Jaiyeola said the clampdown reflects the government’s effort to cut record-high migration but warned that its tone risked alienating genuine students.
Conversely, academics such as Prof. Francis Egbokhare of the University of Ibadan argued that compliance with visa rules was non-negotiable, while Prof. Bayo Oladipo of the University of Lagos stressed that Nigerian students had committed to returning home upon completing their studies.
Others, however, including Prof. Anthony Kola-Olusanya, criticised the UK’s approach as exploitative, accusing it of treating international students as commodities—profiting from their tuition before discarding them.
