Between 2021 and 2023, no fewer than 1,425 international students were denied entry into the United Kingdom upon arrival at the country’s airports, with 161 Nigerians among those affected. The data, obtained from the UK Home Office through the Freedom of Information Act, reveals that Nigeria ranks second on the list, following India, which had 644 students denied entry.
The reasons for these rejections were not explicitly stated by the Home Office. However, investigations indicate that common issues include students' inability to satisfy Border Force officers during entry checks, presenting forged documents, or demonstrating inadequate English language skills.
An immigration lawyer in the UK, Dele Olawanle, criticized the actions of Border Force officers, accusing them of acting beyond their mandate by questioning students on academic matters unrelated to their entry clearance. He called on the UK government to address the issue, highlighting cases where students faced threats of removal shortly after arriving in the country.
Despite the challenges, the number of Nigerian students in the UK has surged, with 72,355 enrolled for the 2022/2023 academic year, up from 44,195 the previous year. Nigerian students and their dependents contributed an estimated £1.9 billion to the UK economy during the 2021/2022 academic session.
While the Universities UK International, the umbrella body for universities in the country, declined to comment on the specific data regarding student removals, they noted that the number of students denied entry represents less than 0.01% of all those on study visas.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were urged to address these cases of student rejections at UK airports. Immigration experts emphasized the importance of students being well-prepared for entry interviews to avoid being sent back or facing a potential 10-year ban from re-entry.
