UK granted 300,000 new visas to Nigerians in the last couple of years — British High Commissioner to Nigeria

The United Kingdom has granted approximately 300,000 new visas to Nigerians over the past couple of years, according to Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria.

 Speaking on Monday, December 9, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Montgomery refuted claims that the UK’s immigration policies are overly harsh, emphasizing that Nigeria has significantly benefited from the UK’s visa framework.

“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 visas of relationship which Nigeria has with any other country,” he said.

Montgomery attributed the positive visa trends to the post-Brexit migration rules, under which Nigeria has been a key beneficiary. “The trends have been really positive post-Brexit. Nigeria has been a major beneficiary of the post-Brexit migration visa rules,” he noted.

The High Commissioner praised the contributions of Nigerians living and working in the UK, particularly their role in critical sectors.

“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,” Montgomery said.