Between 2021 and 2023, over 1,400 international students, including 161 Nigerians, were denied entry into the United Kingdom upon arrival at various airports. Data obtained from the UK Home Office via the Freedom of Information Act revealed that Indian students were the most affected, with 644 cases, followed by Nigerian students making up 11.3% of the total.
Ghana and Bangladesh were also among the top countries with students turned away, recording 92 and 90 cases, respectively. The data only covers those denied entry at airports and does not include students deported for visa violations such as working beyond the allowed hours or academic misconduct. The Home Office did not disclose the specific reasons for these removals, but common causes include failing to satisfy Border Force officers during airport checks, presenting forged documents, or inadequate English language proficiency.
Dele Olawanle, a North London-based immigration lawyer, expressed concern over the treatment of students at UK airports. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) in September 2023, Olawanle criticized Border Force officers for overstepping their roles by questioning students on their academic courses. He recounted receiving three requests for assistance from students facing removal within a single day.
A data analyst, Nelly Okechukwu, shared his near-miss experience at a UK airport where he was unexpectedly questioned about his university coursework from over a decade ago.
The UK continues to be a popular destination for Nigerian students, with 44,195 Nigerians enrolled in UK universities for the 2021/2022 academic year, a number that increased to 72,355 in the 2022/2023 academic year. However, the number of Nigerians studying in the UK has begun to decline, partly due to a recent policy banning the dependents of student visa holders, which took effect in January 2024, and the economic challenges posed by the naira’s devaluation.
Despite the incidents, the majority of international students, including Nigerians, continue to gain entry into the UK without issue, contributing significantly to the UK economy. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, international students brought in £41.9 billion during the 2021/2022 academic year, with Nigerian students and their dependents contributing £1.9 billion.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has not received any formal complaints regarding student removals at UK airports. Immigration experts, meanwhile, advise students to be thoroughly prepared for any questioning at the border to avoid being denied entry.
