September 7, 2025-Published by Cyril

A growing number of Nigerian students in the United Kingdom are scrambling for legal means to remain in the country as their student visas near expiration, amid fresh UK migration policies.

Last week, the UK Home Office disclosed that over 10,000 international students had been contacted and ordered to leave once their visas expire, citing a surge in asylum claims from student, work, and tourist visa holders.

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Official figures show asylum applications from visa holders tripled under the previous UK government, with international students making up 40% of all claims. To curb the trend, London has launched direct messaging campaigns warning students against overstaying or filing “baseless asylum claims.”

Nigerian students, the third-largest international student group in the UK, have been hit hard by the policy shift. Some have switched to skilled worker visas, while others are exploring post-study visas or legal extensions.

But uncertainty remains. A Nigerian PhD student in Scotland admitted that many were “panicking” over the changes, while a University of Salford postgraduate said the shortened post-study work visa period “is devastating.”

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Despite the warning, many students say returning to Nigeria is not an option, citing economic hardship, insecurity, and governance failures at home.

Experts are divided on the UK’s approach. Some describe it as a necessary measure to tackle migration abuse, while others argue it is exploitative and undermines trust between the UK and foreign students who pay hefty tuition fees.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), meanwhile, cautioned citizens abroad not to overstay their visas, warning that “once your visa expires, staying becomes a criminal offence.”

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