Dependents from Nigeria to UK increased from 1,500 to 52,000 in 2 years — British High Commissioner

Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Montgomery stated that the number of dependents from Nigeria to UK increased from approximately 1,500 to 52,000 between 2019 and 2022.

Montgomery explained that before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, there were only about 1,500 dependents from Nigeria in the UK, but by 2022, this number had significantly risen. He noted that similar increases were observed among students from other countries, such as India.

In response to this trend, Montgomery mentioned that a policy change was implemented earlier this year, restricting the eligibility of bringing dependents to the UK to only international students enrolling in Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs. This decision aims to address concerns raised by university Chancellors regarding the challenges posed by the growing student population, including accommodation, access to medical services, and schooling for dependents.