As the expiration dates of their student visas approach, several Nigerians studying in the United Kingdom are racing to find legal pathways to extend their stay.
The PUNCH reported that the development follows recent UK government migration policies and stern warnings directed at international students.
In an emergency alert posted on its website last Sunday, the British government disclosed that about 10,000 foreign students had already been contacted to leave the country once their visas run out.
Officials explained that the action was triggered by a surge in asylum claims by temporary visa holders.
According to the government, asylum requests from students, workers, and tourists have more than tripled in recent years, accounting for 37 per cent (41,400) of all applications by June 2025. Students represented the largest share at 40 per cent, followed by workers (29 per cent) and visitors (24 per cent).
To stem the trend, a direct messaging campaign was launched to remind visa holders of their expiry dates. One of the texts, as reported by the BBC, read, “If you submit an asylum claim that lacks merit, it will be swiftly and robustly refused. Any request for asylum support will be assessed against destitution criteria. If you do not meet the criteria, you will not receive support. If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you.”
Nigerian students unsettled
Figures from the UK House of Commons Library show that in the 2023/24 academic session, 732,285 overseas students, 23 per cent of the total population, studied at British universities and colleges.
Nigeria retained its position as the third-largest sending country with 34,500 students.
Some of them, however, now fear that the new rules could jeopardise their future.
A Nigerian PhD student in Scotland, who requested anonymity, confirmed to The PUNCH that many are worried.
“Nigerian students are panicking because UK laws keep changing. I know some people on current student visas that received the text and email,” he said.
He added that while a number had managed to transition into skilled worker visas, others faced uncertainty.
“Before, if you finish your Bachelor or Master’s degree, you can stay in the UK on a post-study work visa for two years, now it has been shortened to 18 months; this is part of the UK’s plan to tighten migration.
“As a student, if you are unable to get a certificate of sponsorship from an employer which will enable you to apply for a skilled worker visa or switch to another category of visa, and your visa expires, you automatically become an illegal immigrant in the UK, which is a criminal offence.”
A postgraduate student at the University of Salford described the situation as emotionally draining.
“It is absolutely devastating, because time and money have been spent,” he said.
He explained that the new regulations prevent fresh student visa holders from switching to the shortage occupation list after July 22, 2025, while reducing post-study work rights.
“Those here are uncertain about next steps, and others are now exploring alternatives to the UK, as seen in the drop in international student numbers.”
The Salford student revealed that he had already switched to a skilled worker visa, valid until July 2028, after opting out of the postgraduate route. Asked if he would consider returning to Nigeria, he replied:
“Hell, no. Not with the crippling inflation, crime and lackadaisical attitude of our leaders. Sometimes, if you taste a working system, you cannot look back but rather move on.”
A Nigerian graduate of the University of Cambridge also confirmed she had applied for a post-study visa following the expiration of her student visa on August 30, 2025.
“For those that haven’t, we have yet to get any message from the UK government,” she noted.
She emphasised that she had long intended to remain in Britain for work before pursuing a PhD programme.
NiDCOM warns against overstaying
In response to the situation, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission urged citizens abroad to respect visa conditions.
NiDCOM spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said:
“The moment your visa expires, it becomes criminalised because it is illegal to stay there.”
He advised Nigerians to be of good conduct and serve as responsible representatives of their country.
Analysts weigh in
Experts have expressed mixed opinions about the UK government’s position.
Co-founder of Globalink Pathway College, Lagos, Mr. Tolani Jaiyeola, argued that the warning was consistent with London’s goal of cutting migration numbers.
“This move is consistent with the current UK government’s overarching goal to significantly reduce net migration.
“The graduate visa route, while attractive, has been under scrutiny over concerns it is being misused by some as a backdoor to low-skilled work rather than a launchpad for high-potential careers. The warning is a clear signal that the UK is serious about the temporary nature of student visas and is clamping down on any perceived overstaying or abuse of the system.”
He, however, faulted the style of communication, warning it could alienate law-abiding students.
Similarly, a professor of Environmental Sustainability and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Prof. Anthony Kola-Olusanya, criticised the approach.
“You see, the idea that foreign students should return to their country after their studies is not strange, nor is it new. But the morality of the issue, which raises a very big question, is this: are you seeing these students as a commodity that you can exploit and dispense after you’ve taken money from them, with a promissory note that if they graduate from your system, they can get a job in your system and possibly residency? If you now cannot do such, why would you still ask your universities to keep advertising for foreign students from Nigeria and other African countries? That is almost becoming like 419, take the money, give them a degree, and tell them to leave.”
On the other hand, Prof. Francis Egbokhare of the University of Ibadan stressed that visa terms must be respected.
“I think that every visa has a purpose and the visa itself is a contract between the immigrant and the state. To exceed one’s stay or break the terms of a visa is an exercise in illegality. The UK has a right to demand that immigrants who exceed their lawful stay should return to their homeland. There should be no reason for Nigeria to question this.”
Supporting this stance, the Dean of Education at the University of Lagos, Prof. Bayo Oladipo, placed the responsibility on Nigeria to make itself attractive enough for its citizens to return.
“I want to believe that every individual that applied for admission in the UK filled the form and wrote there that they will go back to their country after the programme.
“I think it’s part of the requirements for the admission and for the immigration process. And so you should be able to stand by your word to say, ‘I will go back to my country after the programme.’ That’s what integrity is all about, that’s what sincerity is all about, and that’s what national consciousness is all about.”
