The United Kingdom has granted approximately 300,000 visas to Nigerians over the past few years, according to Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria.
Highlighting the strong ties between the two nations, Montgomery described the UK’s relationship with Nigeria as robust and said the country has been a key beneficiary of Britain’s post-Brexit migration policies.
Favorable Visa Trends
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Montgomery refuted claims of harsh immigration policies, stating that the UK’s visa policies have been favorable to Nigerians.
“I have to contest this picture because the UK, in the last couple of years, has granted around 300,000 new visas to Nigerians, which far exceeds any other visa relationship that Nigeria has with any other country,” Montgomery said.
He further explained that migration opportunities for Nigerians have expanded significantly since Brexit.
“The trends have been really positive post-Brexit. Nigeria has been a major beneficiary of the post-Brexit migration visa rules,” he noted.
Significant Increase in Work Visas
The High Commissioner revealed a dramatic increase in the number of work visas granted to Nigerians. A few years ago, the annual figure ranged between 10,000 and 20,000. However, this has surged to between 80,000 and 90,000 annually over the last two years.
“The number of people getting work visas to go to the UK has gone from something like 10,000 to 20,000 about six or seven years ago to 80,000–90,000 a year in the last two years,” Montgomery stated.
He acknowledged a decline in the number of Nigerian students traveling to the UK but emphasized Nigerians’ vital contributions to sectors such as social care in the UK.
Nigerians’ Role in the UK
Montgomery noted that Nigerians make up about 10 percent of all visas issued by the UK over the past two years, underscoring the scale of the relationship.
“It outstrips any other visa relationship that Nigeria has with any other single country, in my understanding,” he said.
The High Commissioner also assured prospective applicants that the UK’s visa approval rate remains high for those with proper documentation and evidence.
Strong Bilateral Relationship
Despite the decline in Nigerian students studying in the UK, Montgomery emphasized the enduring strength of the ties between the two nations, which he described as surpassing Nigeria’s visa relationships with other countries.
The UK’s visa policies and migration opportunities continue to play a significant role in shaping the growing connection between the two nations.
