The United Kingdom government has vowed to investigate the claims made by Nigerian Youtuber, Emdee Tiamiyu, regarding the reasons behind the mass immigration of Nigerians to the United Kingdom.
PUNCH METRO reported that Tiamiyu in an interview with The British Broadcasting Corporation alleged that majority of individuals who applied for education in the UK viewed it solely as an alternative method to flee from Nigeria.
He said, “The student route is more like an answered prayer. It is a big bracket that’s able to take a lot of people, the ordinary people.
“We’re beginning to see that a lot of people just hide behind the studentship. So the student thing is not real, it’s not like they need the degrees,” he said.
According to Tiamiyu, the issuance of family visas can enhance economic feasibility, given that a student’s spouse who accompanies them can engage in full-time employment.
According to him, not all marriages are authentic. In certain instances, individuals would convene at a designated location in Lagos prior to embarking on their journey.
Shortly after the interview, the UK home office introduced new immigration rules for intending foreign students in the country that they will no longer be allowed to bring dependants into the country.
PUNCH METRO reported that under the new rule, which will take effect in January 2024, the UK will remove the permission for international students to switch out of the student route and into work routes before their studies have been completed to prevent misuse of the visa system.
Also on Thursday, the UK government has also stated that it will start to investigate the claims made by Tiamiyu during the interview.
In a statement issued by the home office, the UK government stated, “We are actively investigating the claims made. Abuse of our immigration system will not be tolerated.
“Anyone who has used false documents, misrepresented their personal circumstances or practiced deception by any other means will have their application refused”.
