Nigerian students in the UK are panicking and exploring legal avenues to remain in the country following a government warning and crackdown on those overstaying their visas, with many expressing strong reluctance to return to Nigeria’s economic hardships.
LAGOS — A growing number of Nigerian students in the United Kingdom are urgently seeking legal means to extend their stay as their visas near expiration, prompted by a recent government crackdown. The UK Home Office issued emergency alerts to approximately 10,000 international students, directing them to leave the country over expired visas amid a surge in asylum claims from visa holders.
The move is part of broader policy changes, including shortening the post-study work visa from two years to 18 months. This has caused significant anxiety among the Nigerian student community, the third-largest source of international students for the UK with 34,500 enrollees in the 2023/24 session.
A PhD student in Scotland revealed, “Nigerian students are panicking because UK laws keep changing. I know some people on current student visas that received the text and email.” Another postgraduate student from the University of Salford called the new policy “absolutely devastating, because time and money have been spent.”
When asked about returning to Nigeria, the Salford student was unequivocal: “Hell, no. Not with the crippling inflation, crime and lackadaisical attitude of our leaders.” This sentiment underscores a deep reluctance to return home amidst Nigeria’s economic challenges.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) cautioned citizens to avoid overstaying, with spokesperson Abdur-Rahman Balogun stating, “The moment your visa expires, it becomes criminalised because it is illegal to stay there.” He urged Nigerians abroad to be of good behaviour.
Experts are divided; while some criticize the UK’s approach as exploitative after collecting high tuition fees, others, like Prof. Francis Egbokhare of the University of Ibadan, assert that “visa compliance was non-negotiable” and that the UK is within its rights to enforce its immigration laws.