At least 161 Nigerian students were denied entry to the UK between 2021 and 2023, according to data from the UK Home Office. The students were removed at airports across the UK, with India topping the list of affected foreign students at 644, followed by Nigeria at 161. The reasons for the removals were not specified, but immigration lawyers cited examples of students being unable to convince Border Force officers during checks, presenting forged documents, and struggling with English language usage.
The data, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, covers October 2021 to October 2023 and only includes students denied entry at airports, not those deported for violating visa terms. Immigration lawyers have criticized Border Force officers for overstepping their authority and questioning students on academic knowledge.
Nigerian students contribute significantly to the UK economy, with an estimated £1.9bn contribution in the 2021/2022 academic year. However, the removals have raised concerns among students, immigration lawyers, and consulting firms. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission said it had not received any reports from affected students, while the UK Home Affairs and British High Commission in Nigeria did not respond to inquiries.
