UK Removal Threat: Nigerian Students Seek Legal Means, 'Uncertain About Next Steps'
- Migration policies and warnings recently issued by the United Kingdom government have affected many Nigerian students
- The UK government had already contacted 10,000 international students to leave the country over the expiration of their visas
- The move follows a surge in asylum claims from visa holders as Nigerian students seek legal means to remain in the country
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
London, United Kingdom - Some Nigerians in the UK have started exploring legal options to extend their stay in the country.
This follows the United Kingdom government’s message reminding international students that their visas were expiring.
Source: Twitter
According to BBC News, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, warned international students not to overstay visas.
The UK government claimed that asylum applications from work, study and tourist visa-holders accounted for 37% (41,400) of overall claims in the year ending June 2025.
International students made up the highest proportion of claimants at 40%, followed by 29% from work visas and 24% from visitors.
As reported by The Punch, a PhD student in Scotland, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said many Nigerian students faced uncertainty over their future.
The doctorate student said some had transitioned to skilled worker visas to survive the removal threats.
“Before, if you finish your Bachelor or Master’s degree, you can stay in the UK on a post-study work visa for two years, now it has been shortened to 18 months; this is part of the UK’s plan to tighten migration."
Nigerian students unsure about future in UK
A postgraduate student from the University of Salford said the new migration policy was unsettling and devastating.
The Nigerian student said time and lot of money were spent to move to the UK.
The master’s student moved to a skilled worker visa valid until July 2028 after opting out of the postgraduate route recently.
“Those here are uncertain about next steps, and others are now exploring alternatives to the UK, as seen in the drop in international student numbers.”
A Nigerian graduate in the UK said the UK Home Office had accepted her application after applying for a post-study visa following the expiration of her student visa on August 30, 2025.
The University of Cambridge graduate disclosed that most of the students she interacted with had either transitioned to the post-study visa or were in the process of doing so.
Source: Getty Images
UK warns foreign students: Nigerians, others affected
The UK Home Office sent an important message to foreign students, warning that they risk deportation if they overstay their visas.
In an interesting new move, the government began contacting students directly by text and email.
Reports on September 2 disclosed that about 10,000 foreign students, including Nigerians, whose visas were due to expire, received the messages.
UK bars foreigners from applying for 100 jobs
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the British Home Office announced the restrictions on Nigerians and other foreigners from filling more than 100 job categories.
This move was part of the UK's ongoing reforms of immigration policies meant to reduce net migration under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who took office on July 5, 2024.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
