Nigerians have been finally granted the visa for United Kingdom. 430,000 Nigerians have been granted with UK visas in only seven months.
Reportedly, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria – Dr. Richard Montgomery has revealed that the United Kingdom government has so far given no fewer than 430,000 visas to Nigerians seeking to study and relocate to the European nation in the year 2024.
The Montgomery disclosed this during a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission – Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja on Wednesday.
Furthermore, he also assured that the Federal Government, would be receiving adequate security measures in place for Nigerians in the UK.
Commissioner Montgomery noted that the UK remains a safe haven, despite of the ongoing unrest, highlighting the diverse population of the country.
Montgomery, explained further that 60 special courts have been set up to ‘tackle criminal activities related to the unrest’.
Speaking at the part of security, the Commissioner also stated that 400 people have been arrested in the connection with the violence, with the government actively pursuing the justice against those inciting the unrest though hatred and disinformation online.
Moreover, Dabiri-Erewa confirmed that no Nigerian casualties have been reported so far in the UK unrest. She said that NIDCOM is in touch with the Nigerian High Commission in London and other diaspora groups, none of which have reported any incidents involving Nigerian nationals.
She applauded the UK government for its swift actions, especially the arrests, advising the Nigerians to remain safe and vigilant and adhere to the travel advisories issued by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Considering this, UK Home Office data showed a 38% drop in study visas issued to Nigerians from March 2023 to March 2024. The reduction follows a change in January 2024 rule that limits the dependants to international students unless in research-focused graduate programs.
The number of visas for Nigerians fell from 50,000 to 45,000 amid a broader 6% drop in visas for top applicants. The total emissions peaked in June 2023, but have fallen slightly since then.