The hopes of many Nigerian youths to study or work in Britain are dimming after the UK government unveiled a hard-line Immigration White Paper, “Restoring Control over the Immigration System.”
Introduced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, the blueprint seeks to trim net migration by 100,000 a year and tighten rules on work, study, family and asylum pathways.
Although the White Paper must still pass through Parliament, its proposals already have would-be migrants worried.
One clause warns that “legislation will be brought in to make clear that the government and parliament, not courts, determine who should stay, tackling misuse of Article 8 (right to family life) to block deportations.”
Under the draft, skilled-worker applicants will need university degrees and larger pay packets.
The “Immigration Skills Charge, paid by sponsors, will rise by 32 per cent for the first time since 2017, in line with inflation.”
Social-care visas, heavily used by Nigerians, would shut to new overseas applicants, though extensions remain possible until 2028.
International graduates could stay only 18 months after study, down from two years.
Universities must hit a 95 per cent enrolment and 90 per cent completion rate, and ministers are toying with a levy on foreign-student income.
Permanent settlement would generally require a decade’s residence unless an applicant makes “notable economic or social contributions.”
Dr Oyedele Ogundana of Nottingham Trent University urges Nigerians to weigh other destinations: “Germany is actively recruiting skilled workers; Canada and Portugal have a welcoming environment for African immigrants; Australia offers favourable conditions for skilled migrants and students.”
London-based lawyer Efuru Nwapa adds, “Nigerians who want to relocate … should ensure they meet the eligibility criteria, such as having at least a degree qualification.”
While she doubts existing contracts will be terminated, renewals may dry up.
“They should enrol in courses to meet the new eligibility criteria.”
Travel agent Elizabeth Nwachukwu believes backlash could moderate the plan, advising clients to watch schemes in Luxembourg and Scotland.
Dr Uchechukwu Osuagwu, President of the American Academy of Optometry (Africa), counsels would-be migrants to “focus on high-demand and high-skilled professions … particularly in technology, engineering, and healthcare,” and to “pursue further education or certifications that align with the UK’s skill requirements.”
He lists Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany and Ireland as alternatives, noting that “Germany just introduced the Skilled Migration Act.”
Nigerian immigration lawyer Yemi Opemuti predicts UK-bound migration could fall “by 50 per cent or more,” citing a Western push to “reduce the influx of legal migrants.”
He points to soaring proof-of-funds for students: “The reservation fund … used to be between £28,000 and £29,000 … now it’s going to almost N45 million or N50 million.”
Online, some Nigerians blasted the Labour government. On X, user J Adams wrote, “The same people who colonised us … are now the ones setting up hurdles for our freedom of movement.”
On Facebook, Allan Lawrence said, “They need your school fees … but they don’t need you to live in their country to work.” Another user, Oyinbo Adeniyi, added, “It is not negotiable to develop our continent. It is staring at us now.”
Yet others expect a U-turn. Ade BusyTee commented, “They will come back to reverse it again … They will come back for more soon.”
