NEWS
Over 10,000 Nigerians At Risk Of Deportation In UK Visa Policy Overhaul
A wave of anxiety has swept through the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom following the UK government’s sudden decision to remove over 100 job roles from the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) eligibility list under its Skilled Worker visa scheme.
The revised immigration policy, which took effect on July 22, 2025, targets efforts to reduce net migration and raises the salary threshold for skilled roles by at least 30 percent, alongside introducing more stringent educational and job criteria.
Key roles previously available to foreign workers including caregivers, IT support staff, community workers, translators, and even artists and photographers have now been excluded, sparking fears of mass job losses and forced return for thousands of foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
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“This is a ticking time bomb for many Nigerians,” said Kayode Alabi, CEO of Phika Travels and Tours, a UK-based travel and visa consultancy.
“Once their current visa or job sponsorship expires, they may have no legal grounds to remain in the UK if their roles have been delisted.”
While no mass layoffs have occurred yet, Alabi warns that individuals on roles now ineligible for sponsorship may not be able to renew their work permits or secure new sponsorships.
“There’s panic everywhere. People are uncertain. Their futures are at stake,” he added.
Under the new regulations, the general salary threshold for skilled workers has risen to £41,700 up from the former range of £24,000–£26,000.
Although roles under the Health and Care Visa remain at a £25,600 threshold, employers must now prove that this amount is net pay after deductions for housing and transport.
A Nigerian in the UK, Banjo Fola, who chose not to disclose his job title, said, “My employer already told me they can’t meet the new threshold. My visa expires in a few months. I don’t know what to do.”
A Nigerian caregiver whose sponsorship ends in August echoed similar fears: “I’ve searched for new jobs, but the new salary rule has made everything more difficult. I may have no choice but to return home.”
Another affected Nigerian who arrived in the UK in 2023 on a three-year CoS visa said, “Now, with the job delisted, I have only a few months to figure out a Plan B. There are no jobs that match the new criteria.”
Experts estimate the rule change could affect over 10,000 Nigerians, many of whom had long-term plans to settle or build careers in the UK.
“The UK’s immigration clampdown is reshaping diaspora migration,” said Sulaimon Okewole, CEO of Cardinal E-School and Edu Services.
“This decision hits hard, especially for those in healthcare and IT. Without policy flexibility, the UK risks losing a workforce that has been vital to sectors like eldercare, support services, and tech.”
He warned that unless employers adjust their salary offerings to match new thresholds, many foreign workers will be priced out.
“Sadly, some may be forced to return home prematurely, while others may start looking to countries with friendlier immigration policies.”
The situation has also raised emotional concerns back home. Eniola, a student at the University of Ibadan, said her mother working as a caregiver in the UK might soon return. “She’s really worried. Her job has been delisted, and her sponsorship ends in November. It’s heartbreaking.”
Official data from the UK Home Office reveals a steep rise in the number of Nigerians granted Skilled Worker visas from 8,491 in 2022 to 26,715 in 2023.
However, that trend appears to be reversing in 2024, as fewer Health and Care Worker visas were issued in the first half of the year.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
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The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
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According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
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El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
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