161 Nigerian Students Denied Entry Into UK

Data from the UK Home Office shows that between 2021 and 2023, over 1,425 overseas students who had been accepted to UK universities were turned away at UK airports.

Of those impacted, 161 were Nigerians, or 11.3% of the total; Indian students, on the other hand, led the list with 644 cases, or 45% of those denied entry.

The data, which spans October 2021–October 2023, reveals a concerning pattern for international students, especially those from Bangladesh, Nigeria, India, and Ghana. Following Bangladesh with 90 pupils (6.32%) and Nigeria with 92 students (6.46%) denied admittance was Ghana.

The UK Home Office listed frequent concerns, including students’ failure to satisfy Border Force officials during airport inspections, the presentation of fraudulent documents, and insufficient English language skills, but did not provide specific reasons for the removals. Students who have already obtained admission and permits to study in the UK are still facing refusal.

The data excludes foreign students who were deported by the Home Office for other offenses, such as working more than the 20 hours a week allowed or engaging in academic dishonesty.

The treatment of these students has sparked outrage, particularly among immigration lawyers like Dele Olawanle, who has decried the acts of Border Force officials. In a social media post, Olawanle claimed that these police had overstepped their authority by asking students about academic concerns, which is generally reserved for university administrators. He cited cases in which students’ visas were cancelled for failing to sufficiently answer questions regarding their studies, despite having been previously vetted and accepted by their universities.

Also Read: Teesside varsity stops Nigerian students programmes, ordered to leave UK

Nelly Okechukwu, a Nigerian data analyst, also related his experience, recalling how a Border Force officer questioned him about a course he had completed more than a decade ago. He narrowly avoided having his admittance denied.

According to data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the number of Nigerian students enrolled in UK universities increased from 44,195 in the 2021–2022 academic year to 72,355 in the 2022–2023 academic year. This increase coincides with the release of the study. The substantial economic impact of overseas students is highlighted by the predicted £1.9 billion that Nigerian students and their dependents contributed to the UK economy in the 2021–2022 academic year.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli