News
161 Nigerian Students Denied UK Entry After Failing Border Checks
Between 2021 and 2023, a total of 161 Nigerian students who gained admission to universities in the United Kingdom were denied entry at the country’s airports after failing border checks.
These students were among 1,425 international students removed upon arrival during this period, according to data obtained from the UK Home Office through the Freedom of Information Act.
The data reveals that Indian students were the most affected, with 644 denied entry, making up 45% of the total, while Nigerian students accounted for 11.3%. Ghanaian students were also significantly impacted, with 92 removals.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Home Office data, which spans from October 2021 to October 2023, covers only those students who were denied entry at the border and does not include those who were deported after violating visa conditions, such as working beyond the allowed 20 hours per week or engaging in academic misconduct. The reasons for the removals were not specified by the Home Office, but sources suggest that common issues included failure to convince Border Force officers during entry checks, presentation of forged documents, or insufficient English language proficiency.
Criticism has been leveled at the UK Border Force by immigration experts who argue that these officers are overstepping their roles.
Dele Olawanle, a North London-based immigration lawyer, noted that some students were subjected to academic questioning at the point of entry, with officers challenging them on details of their courses.
He argued that this role should be reserved for universities, which had already vetted these students during the admission process.
Nigerian Students UK Entry
Despite the challenges faced by Nigerian students, the UK remains a popular destination for education.
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The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) reported that 44,195 Nigerian students were enrolled in UK universities for the 2021/2022 academic year, a figure that rose to 72,355 in the 2022/2023 academic year.
However, recent immigration policy changes, such as the ban on dependents of student visa holders introduced in January 2024, and the devaluation of the naira, have led to a decline in the number of Nigerians pursuing education in the UK.
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