The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, revealed that Nigerian student enrollment in British higher institutions has soared to a staggering 127,000 students during the previous academic year.
This remarkable increase, representing a five-fold rise over the past three years, underscores the growing preference among Nigerian students for British universities.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, High Commissioner Montgomery clarified that the United Kingdom’s new policy on restricting foreign student visas should not be misinterpreted as an intentional deterrent for Nigerian students.
Instead, he emphasized that the policy is primarily aimed at effectively managing the pressure on social services caused by the influx of international scholars. He further highlighted that Nigerian students enjoy an exceptional 97 percent visa approval rate, urging Nigerians to view the new visa regime as a positive development for both countries.
High Commissioner Montgomery emphasized the robust people-to-people links between the UK and Nigeria, pointing out that Nigerians received a notable 325,000 out of the three million visas granted by the UK last year, representing over 10 percent of the total.
He expressed his satisfaction that UK universities continue to attract Nigeria’s most talented and brightest students.
