The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has revealed that the United Kingdom granted approximately 300,000 new visas to Nigerians in the last two years, highlighting the growing ties between the two nations.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Montgomery countered claims of harsh UK immigration policies, stating that Nigerians have greatly benefited from the country’s post-Brexit visa reforms.
“I have to contest this picture because the UK in the last couple of years has granted around 300,000 new visas to Nigerians which far exceeds any other visa relationship which Nigeria has with any other country,” he said.
He emphasized that post-Brexit migration policies have positively impacted Nigerians, with the UK becoming a primary destination for work and migration visas.
He added, “The trends have been really positive post-Brexit. Nigeria has been a major beneficiary of the post-Brexit migration visa rules.”
Nigeria now accounts for about 10% of all visas issued by the UK within this period.
Montgomery praised the contributions of Nigerians in the UK, particularly in sectors like social care, describing their role as “incredibly important.”
“And if you look at say the number of people getting work visas in the UK, these people play an incredibly important role in certain sectors, particularly our social care sector.”
Although the number of student visas has declined, Montgomery reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to fostering a strong bilateral relationship through its visa policies, stating that no other country offers Nigeria such opportunities.
“So, I would like to emphasize how huge the relationship is. It outstrips any other visa relationship that Nigeria has with any other single country in my understanding,” he revealed.
Addressing concerns about visa approvals, the envoy assured Nigerians that the process is straightforward for those who provide the right documentation.
“If you apply with the right documentation and the right evidence, the approval rate is very high,”
“The number of people getting work visas that go to the UK has gone from something like 10 to 20,000 in about six, seven years ago to 80-90,000 a year in the last two years, last year and this year,” he added.