The dream of some Nigerian youths to relocate to the United Kingdom for work or academic pursuits is turning into a mirage following the recent unveiling of a controversial White Paper by the British government aimed at curbing net migration.

The proposed reforms, which have triggered reactions across the globe, are forcing a major rethink among prospective immigrants and those already navigating life in the UK.

The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, on Monday, presented the 2025 Immigration White Paper, titled, ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System.’

The policy document outlines ambitious plans to slash net migration by 100,000 annually, with significant changes impacting work, study, family, and asylum routes. 

According to the document, prospective and current immigrants will face an extended settlement period, a higher skilled worker threshold, a shortened post-study work visa duration, and more stringent English language requirements.

The White Paper is not yet a policy.

A bill is expected to be drafted based on feedback from the document, which will go through the parliament for consideration before it is passed into law and implemented.

However, the document has been met with widespread dismay, as many Nigerians lamented that the window for relocation is rapidly closing.

A particularly concerning clause in the paper states, “Legislation will be brought in to make clear that the government and parliament, not courts, determine who should stay, tackling misuse of Article 8 (right to family life) to block deportations.”

Tougher conditions for workers, students

In a bid to reduce work-related migration, the UK government will now mandate that skilled workers possess university certificates and meet new, higher salary thresholds to qualify for visas.

The White Paper noted that the UK was turning into an “Island of strangers,” and announced that the “Immigration Skills Charge, paid by sponsors, will rise by 32 per cent for the first time since 2017, in line with inflation.”

The social care sector, a significant employer of Nigerian immigrants, also faces a severe clampdown.

The paper states, “Social care visas will close to new overseas applicants; people already in the UK with work rights can extend or switch visas until 2028, subject to review.”

International students and their sponsoring universities are not spared. Graduates will now only be permitted to stay in the UK for 18 months post-study, down from the current two years.

A levy on income from international students is also under consideration, with funds potentially redirected towards domestic skills training.

Sponsoring institutions will face stricter compliance, needing to demonstrate at least a 95 per cent course enrolment rate and a 90 per cent completion rate.

Furthermore, the default route to permanent settlement will be extended to 10 years, unless an individual makes “notable economic or social contributions.”

Nigerians eye alternative destinations

A senior lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, England, Dr. Oyedele Ogundana, advised Nigerians to critically reassess their UK plans in light of the stricter requirements.

He said, “Given the UK’s new immigration policies, such as extending residency requirements from five to 10 years, stricter English language criteria, and halting new social care visas, Nigerians should reassess their plans.”

“Countries like Germany, Portugal, Australia, and Canada offer more accommodating immigration policies. Germany is actively recruiting skilled workers; Canada and Portugal have a welcoming environment for African immigrants; Australia offers favourable conditions for skilled migrants and students.”

For those already in the UK, Ogundana recommended seeking legal counsel to understand their rights under the proposed policy.

Despite the stringent measures, some believe Nigerians in the UK can still adapt.

A London-based Nigerian attorney, Mrs Efuru Nwapa, noted that Prime Minister Starmer was under considerable pressure to regulate immigration.

“The British PM is under pressure to control immigration, and one of the strategies is to limit the number of legal migrants, which would, in turn, ease the pressure on public services,” she explained.

“Nigerians who want to relocate to the UK through the skilled worker route should ensure they meet the eligibility criteria, such as having at least a degree qualification.

“I do not believe that the contracts of Nigerians already in the UK working in relevant sectors would be terminated, but the contracts may not be renewed. Therefore, they should enrol in courses to meet the new eligibility criteria.”

A travel agent in London, Mrs. Elizabeth Nwachukwu, suggested that the policy might face review due to backlash from immigrants.

“I understand the panic among those affected, but the policy could still be thoroughly examined if more people stand against it. Meanwhile, Luxembourg and Scotland have fairer social care worker schemes, which Nigerians can explore.”

Upskilling and strategic planning

The President of the American Academy of Optometry, African chapter, Dr Uchechukwu Osuagwu, emphasised the importance of upskilling.

He advised Nigerians to “focus on high-demand and high-skilled professions that remain open to international recruitment, particularly in technology, engineering, and healthcare,” and to “pursue further education or certifications that align with the UK’s skill requirements.”

For social care workers already in the UK, he suggested they “engage with employers about sponsorship options and consider upskilling themselves to transition into roles less affected by policy changes.”

With the residency period extended, Dr Osuagwu stressed that “maintaining a good record of contributions to society is critical to strengthen future applications. Always pay taxes and keep records transparent and clean.”

He also recommended Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, and Ireland as alternatives.

“Germany just introduced the Skilled Migration Act, which allows easy access for qualified professionals, especially in engineering and IT,” he noted.

‘Stay in your country’

A Nigeria-based immigration lawyer, Yemi Opemuti, predicted that the policy could reduce Nigerian emigration to the UK by 50 per cent or more.

He described it as a reflection of a broader Western trend to “reduce the influx of legal migrants by imposing stricter conditions and discouraging long-term settlement by foreign nationals, especially from developing countries like Nigeria.”

Opemuti highlighted the severe restrictions on the student visa route.

“Before now, the reservation fund for international students used to be between £28,000 and £29,000, but it has increased to £38,000 or £39,000. The implication is that a Nigerian hoping to study in the UK may now need between N15m and N20m as a reservation fund,” he explained.

“Now, it’s going to almost N45m or N50m, which will make it harder for Nigerians to travel to the UK through the study route.

“To me, what this is telling us is that these countries want us to stay in our country,” Opemuti stated, acknowledging that determined individuals would likely seek opportunities in EU countries like Germany and France, or even Australia and parts of Asia.”

He advised Nigerians to focus on building sustainable livelihoods at home before considering relocation amid such challenging global immigration climates.

Some Nigerian youths, who took to social media, criticised the move by the Labour Party.

On X, one J Adams wrote, “The same people who colonised us, exploited our resources, and reshaped our systems are now the ones setting up hurdles for our freedom of movement. History has a way of repeating itself, just in different forms.”

According to Allan Lawrence on Facebook, “They need your school fees, which you will pay to study, but they don’t need you to live in their country to work.”

“It is not negotiable to develop our continent. It is staring at us now. No hiding place anymore,” Oyinbo Adeniyi said on Facebook.

Another Facebook user, Ade BusyTee, said there was nothing unusual in the plan.

“Same with care and studying. Don’t worry, they will come back to reverse it again. Those employed to give care can’t survive 10 years in care homes with the loads of work and pay. They will come back for more soon,” he added.