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UK Reveals Why They Banned Dependants’ Visa For Nigerian Students

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UK Reveals Why They Banned Dependants' Visa For Nigerian Students

UK Reveals Why They Banned Dependants’ Visa For Nigerian Students

 

 

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, on Wednesday, explained why the UK government banned international students from bringing family members with them starting in 2024.

 

Specifically, by January 2024, Nigerians and other foreign nationals on study visa to the United Kingdom will no longer be able to bring in their family members, a new policy rolled out by the British Government to curb migration.

 

 

 

According to Montgomery, the decision is to avoid pressure on the country’s housing infrastructure and to control the inflow of migrants.

 

 

 

 

“Many more students are trying to bring their dependents with them…but it’s not always possible to find the housing and services to meet all the needs of our existing student population…we’ll have to manage our migration in and out of the UK,” Montgomery revealed shortly after he emerged from a closed-door meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

 

UK Reveals Why They Banned Dependants' Visa For Nigerian Students

 

 

The meeting comes after the new British diplomat to Nigeria submitted his letter of Credence to former President Muhammadu Buhari on May 18.

 

Recall that the UK Home Office had announced that International students, including Nigerians, would be stopped from switching from the student visa route to a work visa until their studies had been completed.

 

The decision has, however, been greeted with mixed reactions from international students, schools, and some British lawmakers, who argued that the regulation would aggravate labour shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare and threaten the country’s global standing as a top destination for international talent.

 

But fielding a question from State House Correspondents, the British High Commissioner explained the regulation, saying, “I think there are two issues here. The first is, it’s not always possible to find the housing and services to meet all the needs of our existing student population.

 

“And second, reasonable people would accept that we have to manage our visitor numbers and we’ll have to manage our migration in and out of the UK just as the Nigerian government would do,” he added.

 

Montgomery disclosed that the number of Nigerian students in the UK had increased fivefold in the last three years, even as they make up 10 percent of those granted UK visas annually.

 

“That issue was not raised in the meeting (with the Vice President) just now. But I would like to put the media debate about it in a broader context. Last year (2022), for example, the UK granted three million new visas, of which 325,000 were to Nigerians.

 

“Nigerian visitors constitute over 10 per cent of the people coming to London and the UK.

 

“It’s a fantastic success story for our universities. And we are really delighted that so many Nigerians are coming to the UK,” he said.

 

The British High Commissioner revealed that his discussions with Shettima highlighted the current policy direction of the Bola Tinubu administration, which, he said, is being warmly received by UK investors.

 

“As I discussed with His Excellency, the big economic decisions being taken by this government are really important and are being noticed around the world: the removal of subsidy, the exchange rate reform, all of that create a much better investment environment.

 

“I was in London last week; I was briefing my ministers, but I was also talking to British business in finance, banking, and investment sectors. They are all responding very positively to these first decisions,” Montgomery stated.

 

He further said their discussions also featured areas of assistance by the British government to cushion the effects of the discontinuance of petroleum subsidy, which has spelled “tough times,” for Nigerians.

 

“We know that there are tough times going on at the moment, inflation and unemployment.

 

“The vice president and I also touched on some of the measures that might be possible to cushion the blow of some of these economic pressures.

“But I think the big issue is that these reforms help put Nigeria on a higher growth path; they will attract more investments and the United Kingdom and the city of London see Nigeria as a big opportunity going forward. I will be doing my part to try to boost those, enhance trade and investment,” he said.

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Opinion: Doris Ogala should refrain from mentioning Dr. Chris Okafor’s name given his marital status.

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Opinion: Doris Ogala should refrain from mentioning Dr. Chris Okafor's name given his marital status.

Opinion: Doris Ogala should refrain from mentioning Dr. Chris Okafor’s name given his marital status.

…He is not accountable for your predicament; kindly address your case file.

Meta Facebook should take immediate action to sanitize its platform of individuals like Doris who are spreading malicious content, and Doris should be careful when referencing Lagos-based well-known Pastor Dr. Chris Okafor in connection to her faded career

 

Doris Ogala should be aware that the Generational Prophet is now in a fulfilling marriage with his spouse, and her recent troubles are exclusively attributed to the ancestral curse that has been a persistent issue since her previous union, which her current husband had not yet discovered.

Opinion: Doris Ogala should refrain from mentioning Dr. Chris Okafor's name given his marital status.

When a grown up woman lack wisdom and good parental upbringing what should be expected from such woman is exactly what Doris Ogala portraying as human beings that fabricated lies against a true man of God and go scout-free so, no one is expected to sympathized with the faded-away actress known as Doris Ogala and she must dearly pay for her evil manipulation as nemesis hunting her back.

 

It’s prudent for Doris Ogala, or those close to her, to be aware of the potential risks associated with her claims regarding Dr. Chris Okafor, a married man. Without proper justification, such actions could lead to severe repercussions. The challenges she faces might be linked to her actions, and a genuine change might mitigate her situation.

 

Consider how the spouse of the person you’re criticizing online might feel when you address them so informally. Don’t you think she’s capable of facing you? While she may not respond to provocations, it’s advisable not to provoke further

 

I am taking this opportunity to advise Doris Ogala to reconsider her actions and prioritize her career by refraining from mentioning the name of a man who does not reciprocate her interest. It would also be prudent for Doris Ogala to reflect on her age and compare it with the age of the person she is so ardently pursuing and to respect the sanctity of his home, which would invite divine blessings and a peaceful life of her own if she dedicates her life to Christ, potentially reversing any adverse fate that may be looming over her.

 

Sincerely dedicating your life to Christ and amending your behavior can lead to divine mercy and a stable living arrangement; in my considered opinion, reforming one’s ways can yield compassion.

 

John Linus writes from Onitsha

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Banwo Identifies Structural Challenges Limiting Opposition

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Banwo Identifies Structural Challenges Limiting Opposition

 

Public commentator Dr. Ope Banwo has identified key structural and strategic challenges limiting the effectiveness of opposition parties in Nigeria.

In a statement released from his base in America, Banwo outlined several factors, including internal divisions, weak grassroots presence, and lack of clear policy alternatives, as major obstacles facing opposition groups.

“One of the biggest issues is fragmentation. There are too many interests and not enough coordination,” he said.

He noted that multiple presidential ambitions within opposition ranks could make it difficult to build consensus around a single candidate.

Banwo also emphasised the importance of grassroots political structures, stating that electoral success in Nigeria depends heavily on local-level organisation.

“Elections are not won on social media. They are won through presence and coordination at the community level,” he explained.

Another concern raised by Banwo is what he described as inconsistent messaging from opposition parties, which he said could make it difficult for voters to identify a clear alternative to the current administration.

“Criticism alone is not enough. Voters want to see a defined direction and credible leadership,” he added.

He further pointed to the challenges of funding and long-term planning, noting that successful political campaigns require sustained investment and discipline.

According to him, defeating an incumbent government demands a high level of coordination, including strong alliances and a unified national strategy.

Banwo, however, suggested that there remains an opportunity for opposition parties to reposition themselves if they address these challenges early.

He stressed the need for compromise among political leaders, urging them to prioritise collective goals over individual ambitions.

“If there is unity, structure, and clarity of purpose, the political landscape can still change,” he said.

He concluded that the strength of any democracy depends on the presence of a viable opposition capable of offering credible alternatives to voters

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koloman’s: Daddy @pastorumoeno we’re still waiting for your benevolence sir

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koloman’s: Daddy @pastorumoeno we’re still waiting for your benevolence sir

 

@igosave @okonlagos @nedu_official @yawnaija @deehumorous @senatorcomedian @akwaibomstategovt

 

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