Recently, Jonny Baxter, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, revealed that approximately 132,000 visas were issued to Nigerians by the United Kingdom during the first half of 2023. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Baxter shared this noteworthy information. However, immediate statistics regarding the total number of visa applications received from Nigerians during this period were not available.
Baxter stated, “In the first half of this year, we approved around 132,000 visas, encompassing various types such as visit, work, and study visas. Considering Nigeria’s population in relation to the world, this represents a higher proportion of Nigerians taking up these visas and coming to the UK, which is indeed a positive development.”
He further emphasized the significant presence of Nigerian students in the UK, highlighting that Nigeria is second only to India in terms of foreign students studying in the UK. Baxter expressed appreciation for the influx of Nigerian students and individuals settling in the UK, as long as they comply with legal immigration processes. He emphasized the importance of respecting and adhering to the country’s rules and regulations.
Additionally, a noteworthy policy change has been implemented by the UK, allowing students to bring dependents into the country.
