UK Discloses Criteria For Nigerian Students to Bring Family to the Country

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria has announced that only Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students are eligible to bring dependants to the United Kingdom.

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, announced that only Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students are eligible to bring dependents to the United Kingdom.

This decision was made due to a significant rise in dependency from foreign students, as explained by Montgomery during a press briefing in Abuja on May 5th.

Montgomery clarified that the surge in dependence was straining many UK universities, prompting the need for this change.

However, he noted that students pursuing long-term research degrees, such as a PhD or doctorate, are still permitted to bring their dependents.

The restriction primarily affects students enrolling in undergraduate or short-term master’s degree programs. Montgomery emphasized the rationale behind the decision, citing the substantial presence of higher education institutions across the country.

Regarding the increase in dependency from Nigerian students, Montgomery revealed that in 2019, Nigeria had 1,500 dependents, but by 2022, this number had surged to fifty-two thousand, marking a thirty-fold increase. He stressed that this trend was not exclusive to Nigeria.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, LEGIT.NG