The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, has affirmed that only international students coming in for their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are eligible to bring in dependents to the country.
He made this known in an interview with the Newsmen on Sunday, May 5, in Abuja.
According to him, the educational system policy changed earlier this year for international students in higher education not to bring dependents into the UK so as to curb the increase of foreign students bringing in dependents.
He stated that the huge surge in dependence was putting in unsustainable pressure on many universities.
Montgomery added that before his posting as High Commissioner to Nigeria, he had spoken to some of these universities on the policy change.
He noted that the universities Chancellors had complained of the huge student populations’ highlighting that accommodation was a huge challenge, access to medical services under the National Health Service and access to school if they brought in dependents.
According to him, the restrictions do not apply to all categories, adding 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 dependenta 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.
“There has been a surge recently, in demand for British education and I can give you the macro figures and there has also been a huge increase in foreign students bringing their dependants.
“In the case of Nigeria, in 2019, before the Coronavirus pandemic, there were only one and a half thousand dependents being brought in from Nigeria, with those on study visas,
“In 2022, that figure had increased to fifty two thousand dependants so that’s a thirty fold increase in dependence. And it’s not just about Nigeria by the way.
“It is also about all foreign students, we saw similar rises, for example amongst Indian students coming to study in the UK,” he added.