The United Kingdom says it has issued over 300,000 visas to Nigerians in the past few years.
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, disclosed this.
He said the relationship between Nigeria and the UK had been robust, stressing that Nigeria is one of the major beneficiaries of the UK’s post-Brexit migration policies.
Montgomery spoke while addressing claims of harsh immigration policies on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.
He stated that the UK’s visa policies have been favourable to Nigerians.
He said, “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 which Nigeria has with any other country.”
“The trends have been really positive post-Brexit. Nigeria has been a major beneficiary of the post-Brexit migration visa rules.”
The UK envoy noted that the number of work visas granted to Nigerians has increased significantly, rising from 10,000–20,000 annually a few years ago to 80,000–90,000 in recent years.
“The number of people getting work visas that go to the UK has gone from something like 10 to 20,000 in about six, seven years ago to 80-90,000 in the last two years – last year and this year,” he said.
He however admitted that student numbers are down.
Montgomery also highlighted the contributions of Nigerians in the UK, particularly in sectors such as social care, describing their roles as vital.
He added that Nigerians account for approximately 10 percent of all visas issued by the UK in the past two years.
“So, I would like to emphasise how huge the relationship is. It outstrips any other visa relationship that Nigeria has with any other single country in my understanding,” Montgomery said.
He assured prospective applicants that the UK visa approval rate remains high for those who apply with proper documentation and evidence.
Although he acknowledged a decline in the number of Nigerian students studying in the UK, Montgomery underscored the strong ties between the two nations, which he said surpassed Nigeria’s visa relationships with other countries.
