British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, in an interview with the Newsmen on Sunday, May 5, in Abuja, has disclosed that only international students coming in for their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are eligible to bring in dependents to the country.
Hinging this on the fact that the huge surge in dependence was putting in unsustainable pressure on many universities.
He explained that the policy change to the educational system earlier this year regarding international students in higher education is to curb the increase of foreign students bringing in dependents.
Montgomery stated that he had spoken to some of these universities on the policy change, even before his posting as High Commissioner to Nigeria.
Noting that the Chancellors of universities had complained of the huge student populations’ due to the dependents, a huge challenge on accommodation, access to medical services under the National Health Service and access to school.
He added that the restrictions do not apply to all categories, that those doing a long term research degree, like a PhD, or doctorate were not affected, ” those coming to the UK for doctorate can still bring their dependents but if you are coming to the UK with a study visa for an undergraduate degree, or short term master’s degree am afraid the rules have been changed.
“People need to understand why this change was brought in, and it is a sensible change because we have a large higher education sector and most of these universities are in towns across the country.
He said that the number of dependents from Nigeria has increased to fifty two thousand in 2022 from a low one and a half thousand in 2019 before the coronavirus. These dependents came in through those with study visas.
“These changes were announced in 2023, but came into effect early this year and we would have to wait until September 2024, before we get the next run of academic tickets”, he said.
He also mentioned that the value of the Naira in the coming months will also determine how easy or hard it will be for many people to afford the UK education.
Montgomery hopes that the number of people who bring dependents in UK may actually not be a majority, and that the demand will be sustained”.