UK refutes NIDCOM’s claims on visa approvals for Nigerians
By Uzair Adam
The UK government has disputed the claim made by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) that it has approved approximately 430,000 visa applications from Nigerians in the current year.
This clarification was made by the British High Commission in Nigeria through a post on its X page, as reported by The Daily Reality on Saturday.
Recall that the NIDCOM, in a statement, mentioned a meeting between UK official Dr. Montgomery and NIDCOM Chairperson/CEO Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
According to NIDCOM, Montgomery stated that “approximately 430,000 Nigerian visa applications have been successfully processed in 2024.”
However, the UK government corrected this, noting that from April 2023 to March 2024, it issued 255,000 visas to Nigerians, a significant discrepancy from NIDCOM’s reported figures.
The Daily Reality also learned that the discussions also touched on the violent protests occurring in the UK.
The British representative reassured the Nigerian diaspora in the UK of their safety, emphasizing the UK’s commitment to being a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds.
Montgomery emphasized, “The UK is home to people from diverse countries and races, and it will continue to welcome qualified individuals to live, study, and work. We will not accept discrimination or attacks against any community.”
Hon. Dabiri-Erewa highlighted that no Nigerians have been reported as casualties of the recent unrest.
She also mentioned that NIDCOM maintains ongoing communication with the Nigerian High Commission in London and various diaspora groups, with none reporting any casualties.
The Nigerian government has issued a travel alert in response to recent violent demonstrations by far-right and other groups in the UK, advising Nigerian citizens to be cautious.
Hon. Dabiri-Erewa commended the UK government’s swift actions, including arrests, and urged Nigerians to remain safe and adhere to the travel advisories provided by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Data from the UK Home Office shows a 38% drop in study visas issued to Nigerians from March 2023 to March 2024, attributed to a policy change in January 2024 limiting dependents for international students, except those in research-oriented postgraduate programs.
The total number of visas issued to Nigerians decreased from 50,000 to 45,000, reflecting a broader 6% decline in main applicant visas. The highest issuance rate was in June 2023, followed by a slight decrease.