Large Nigerian figures top African, only behind Chinese and Indian students
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A large number of Nigerian students and their relatives in the United Kingdom is one of the key reasons London is clamping down on foreign students bringing dependants to an island scared stiff of being overrun by immigrants.
British Home Secretary Suella Braverman announced on Tuesday foreign students will not be allowed to bring their families – spouses, children and parents – from January 2024.
The irony is that both Braverman and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are of Indian descent, their parents having emigrated to the UK where their children were born.
And Sunak’s wife, Akshata Murthy, is an Indian; the daughter of one of India’s richest men, Narayana Murthy.
Despite their background which should predispose them to be sympathetic to immigrants, Sunak and Braverman are hemmed in by Brexiteers in and outside the Conservative Party who are isolationists.
Politically, Sunak and Braverman have to be Rightwing to be viewed favourably by their Tory constituencies so they can retain their seats in Parliament.
However, Braverman explained the ban affects only foreign undergraduate and postgraduate students on non-research courses.
The UK government gave the following reasons for the restriction:
1. Sunak’s move to cut down migration
Sunak plans that one of the ways to revive the economy is to cut down on immigration. He is using the restriction to reduce the influx of foreigners.
2. Nigerians constitute the highest number of African students in UK
Nigeria has the highest number of African students in the UK and the third highest globally after China and India, according to UK education data group, Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
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3. Most UK immigrants are non-EU citizens
London is concerned the rise in immigration is largely driven by nationals outside the EU – including 170,000.
Sunak’s government said refugees and African and Asian migrants are resettling in the UK, per reporting by Vanguard.
4. To reduce number of foreigners taking over British economy
Sunak is cutting immigration to reduce the number of migrants taking over key sectors of the economy.
Braverman on Tuesday sought lower immigration and suggested more British people be trained to do jobs commonly done by overseas workers, such as lorry driving and fruit picking.