The UK Home Office has revealed an increase in the monthly proof-of-funds requirement for student visa applicants, raising the amount to £1,483 (around N3 million), effective from January 2, 2025.

This adjustment aims to address inflation and reflect the rising cost of living in the UK.

In an official document, the Home Office outlined that the maintenance level will increase from the current £1,334 per month for students in London to £1,483.

For those studying outside London, the requirement will rise from £1,023 to £1,136 (around N2.4 million).

New Financial Requirements for Student Visas

Under the updated regulations, international students must demonstrate they have adequate funds to cover their living expenses throughout their stay in the UK.

According to the Home Office, this change aligns the financial requirements for international students with those for domestic students, ensuring all students can sustain themselves independently during their studies.

What is Proof of Funds?

Proof of funds is a document that confirms an individual has sufficient financial resources to meet future obligations or complete a transaction without relying on external borrowing.

For student visa applicants, proof of funds is a mandatory requirement, providing immigration authorities with assurance that students can financially sustain themselves while studying abroad.

Failure to present valid proof of funds can lead to visa rejection, jeopardizing study plans.

Acceptable sources of proof of funds include:

• Personal savings
• Family sponsorship
• Scholarships
• Educational loans

Impact on Nigerian Students

Nigerian students represent a substantial proportion of the UK’s international student population. In the 2022/2023 academic year, 53,790 Nigerian students were enrolled in UK universities, accounting for 6.5% of the international student body.

This placed Nigeria behind only China and India in the ranking of international student populations.

However, the increased proof-of-funds requirement is expected to reduce the number of Nigerian students pursuing education in the UK. With the Naira’s persistent depreciation against the pound, many Nigerian families may find it increasingly challenging to meet tuition fees and living expenses under the new rules.

The adjustment underscores the importance of financial preparedness for prospective international students and the need for targeted support systems to enable access to global education opportunities despite economic challenges.

Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Bamidele Akingboye, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to go after politicians who brought money into the state for vote-buying.

Bamidele Akingboye, who raised the alarm while speaking with journalists, called on the EFCC to storm hotels in Ijako area of the state to ensure the alleged vote-buying monies are seized.

The SDP candidate said he decided to play by the rules set by the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) and expects other candidates and their parties should obey the rules.

“If the EFCC Chairman did not tell us where the money that they brought into Ondo State, Ghana Must Go ( a bag), that they were carrying everywhere inside. 

“We see a lot of money that they are discharging. If they want to do their job, they should go and bust all the hotels in Ijako tonight, they will see a lot of money there. Where did they get those cash from?

“I decided to abide by INEC rules and regulations. If you love me, vote for me. If you don’t love me, if you want to collect money, collect money. But I will not go against INEC regulation, because it is there that if they find you spending money to buy vote is against the law,” Akingboye said.

Speaking on his chances of winning the Saturday governorship election, Akingboye explained that he has been in the race for 24 years because of his desire to liberate his people.

He noted that the Sun in the Sunshine State has not been shining because of bad government. He promised to revive the Ondo‘s economy and deliver the citizens.

“My chances are that I’m the only candidate that Ondo State requires for now, that is one. I’m the only candidate that Ondo State needs. Ondo State is bankrupt already.

“We are just there, down there, and we are supposed to there (up). And I’ve told everybody who cares to know, my 24 years of service in Ondo State, trying to become the governor of Ondo State is not just a joke.

“I’m here to serve my people. I’m here to deliver my people, and I’m here to take Ondo’s sun that is on the floor to shine again,” he added.

The Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has accused politicians, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank of contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic woes.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Ndume warned that their actions are pushing the country toward a crisis similar to Venezuela’s.

The senator’s remarks reflect his criticism of external economic policies and domestic political mismanagement, which he believes have combined to worsen the country’s economic challenges.

He emphasized the need for a more self-reliant and locally driven approach to economic reforms, urging leaders to prioritize the interests of Nigerians over external pressures.

He said, “I think so. But you can go ahead, I am here. But let me tell you, this problem that we have in this country is self inflicted. Look at it deeply.

“And you know, the World Bank and the IMF have hands in it. They don’t need to be here for us. My fear is that they are deliberately driving us towards Venezuela. Venezuela has the world largest oil reserve with less population, I think, is about 30 million people. And yet, even now, people are dying.”

Ndume, when told that it wasn’t the IMF that did that, noting that there were internal politics, said, “Now you are saying, you know when we allow ourselves to be managed by somebody that doesn’t know the environment or the condition we are operating, then you are getting it wrong.”

With 15 teams already securing qualification and 24 set to participate, the battle for the remaining nine spots in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations intensifies.

The tournament, which will be hosted by Morocco next year, December 2025 to January 2026, as obtained from the CAF website, promises fierce competition as the road to the finals narrows.

PUNCH ONLINE reports on Friday that the defending champion and runner up in the last edition, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria have both secured their qualification spots in their respective groups.

Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia, and Uganda all confirmed their places on Thursday, some benefiting from other results in the latest round of qualifiers.

Tunisia clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory over Madagascar, courtesy of Ali El Abdi’s stoppage-time header, ensuring their record 18th consecutive AFCON appearance.

Meanwhile, Gabon qualified from Group B without playing, as their closest rival, the Central African Republic, lost 1-0 to Lesotho.

South Africa and Uganda also advanced without taking to the pitch, cementing the top two places in Group K after Congo fell 3-2 to South Sudan.

For Nigeria, a 1-0 win by Libya over Rwanda earlier in the day secured their top-two finish in Group D.

Later, the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by Benin, with Victor Osimhen’s late equaliser sparing Nigeria from defeat.

Among other developments, Ghana’s qualification hopes were revived after Sudan suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Niger, setting up a tense finish in Group F.

However, Ghana must win their remaining two fixtures and hope Sudan falter in their last match against Angola.

Elsewhere, Algeria, already qualified alongside Equatorial Guinea from Group E, dropped their first points of the campaign in a goalless draw against Equatorial Guinea in stifling Malabo heat.

So far, these nations have secured their spots at AFCON 2025:
Morocco – Host (Automatic)

Burkina Faso (Group L)

Cameroon (Group J)

Algeria (Group E) – Table leader

DR Congo (Group H)

Senegal (Group L)

Egypt (Group C)

Angola (Group F) – Table leader

Equatorial Guinea (Group E)

Côte d’Ivoire (Group G)

Gabon (Group B)

Uganda (Group K)

South Africa (Group K)

Tunisia (Group A)

Nigeria (Group D)

With Friday’s qualifiers featuring 10 matches across the continent, the race to complete the list of finalists continues.

Teams like Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are poised to claim their places with home victories, while others will fight to keep their dreams alive.

The Nigerian Police Force has identified and detained officers allegedly involved in the extortion of N2.3m from one Nwosu Ndubuisi.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Zone 7 Police Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP M.B. Abdulkadir, on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.

Abdulkadir added that the N2 3m has been recovered and returned to the victim.

He stated, “Further to the earlier statement issued on the alleged extortion of one Mr. Ndubuisi Nwosu by some officers of Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, investigation was carried out, the officers allegedly involved in the extortion have been identified and detained, while disciplinary proceedings have commenced against them.

“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Charge of Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, AIG Benneth C. Igweh, reassures the general public that in line with the transparency and accountability policy of the present Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, the zone will update members of the public on the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings against the defaulters.

“He further affirms that the Zone 7 headquarters remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the rule of law, public safety, security and its mandate of protecting lives and properties.”

The incident came to light after Harrison Gwamnishu, an X user with the handle #HarrisonBbi18, revealed that officers allegedly extorted N2.3m from Ndubuisi.

According to the report, the officers forced Ndubuisi to sell his laptop at Banex Plaza in Abuja to pay for his bail.

Following this revelation, Igweh ordered an investigation into the allegations.

The Labour Party (LP) youth leader in Ondo State, Hon. Samuel Boniface, has alleged that certain politicians tried to sway him with a ₦100 million offer to collapse the LP structure into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the upcoming election.

In an interview with DAILY POST, Boniface claimed he turned down the substantial offer from prominent PDP figures, stating that he was committed to his principles and would not betray his party.

He said: “As the state youth leader of the Labour Party, three weeks ago, some PDP stakeholders contacted me, asking me to collapse the Labour Party structure into their party. They asked me to name any amount from ₦100 million, but I declined because I have a goal. I have my own future. I can’t sell my conscience like that.

“I also told them that I will never betray my followers and my party. When I contested for the House of Reps in 2023, they did the same thing, but I told them that I’d rather lose the election than sell my conscience.

“They are doing everything possible to buy the structure. They are ready to offer any amount. But I strongly believe that if we stand our ground, they won’t succeed. Everyone is tired of both APC and PDP.”

Supporting LP Chairperson Remilekun Ojo, Boniface rejected recent media statements claiming that candidate Olusola Ebiseni had been disqualified by the Appeal Court.

He said, “The reports we are seeing on social media are big lies. It is so disappointing because the court had already struck out the case, and the party settled the matter out of court.”

Boniface revealed that the party plans to take legal action against media outlets that circulated the disqualification rumors.

He said, “We have decided to sue some newspapers that reported our candidate is no longer on the list. If you check the INEC portal, you will see our candidate there, so who removed him?

“With the election just two days away, such reports coming out now are disruptive, so we are suing the paper.

“Why would they claim that our candidate was removed from the race? They don’t have any evidence to support that.”

He further clarified that Festus Olorunfemi, who initially raised concerns, had formally stepped down for Ebiseni and received compensation of ₦5 million from Ebiseni and an additional ₦2 million from the National Chairman, with records and receipts to prove these transactions.

Boniface assured supporters, “I can assure you that everything is very much intact. We are not distracted by this misleading news.”

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has approved the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff.

The appointment takes immediate effect.

This was made known in a statement on Friday by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.

In an official communication signed by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Musa Umar Ikhilor, Audu’s appointment will help Governor Okpebholo in driving meaningful reforms in the State.

“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly the good people of Edo State, that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff. The appointment takes immediate effect,” the official communication read.

Hon. Audu, born 18th August 1969, obtained an HND from Auchi Polytechnic in 1994, a PGD in Business Administration from Benson Idahosa University in 2011 and an M.Sc in Intelligence and Global Security from Baze University, Abuja in 2024.

Hon. Audu was an elected Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council from 2004 to 2010. He was elected member Edo State House of Assembly (Etsako West Constituency 1) from 2015 to 2023.

Hon. Audu was the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2020 Edo State Governorship elections.