By Patrick Idowu
A total of 52,000 Nigerians relocated to the United Kingdom in 2024, solidifying Nigeria’s position as one of the top contributors to non EU plus migration, according to data released Thursday by the UK Office for National Statistics.
This surge comes even as the UK recorded a sharp drop in overall net migration, which the report says fell by nearly 50 percent within the year.
“ONS estimates net migration at 431,000, down from 860,000 in the previous year,” the report stated.
The data shows that of the 52,000 Nigerian migrants, 27,000 travelled on work visas, 22,000 on study visas, while 3,000 came in under other immigration routes.
Nigeria was listed alongside India, Pakistan and China as a top country of origin.
“For the year ending December 2024, Indian nationals were the most common non EU plus immigrants,” the report noted.
“Work and study-related immigration were the primary reasons for migration among Indian, Pakistani, and Nigerian nationals,” it added.
The statistics also revealed that 83 percent of non EU plus migrants were of working age between 16 and 64 years. Of this figure, 52 percent were male and 48 percent female. Children under 16 made up 16 percent, while only one percent were above 65.
Despite Nigeria’s rising numbers, the ONS attributes the overall migration dip to reduced inflow of work and study visa holders, especially from non EU plus countries, and a rise in emigration.
“Many individuals who arrived during or after the COVID-19 pandemic have now returned home, particularly those on study visas,” the report noted.
Work-related immigration among primary applicants saw the biggest drop, falling by 108,000, representing a 49 percent year-on-year decrease.
Study-related immigration also declined by 17 percent, while the number of study dependents plummeted by 86 percent.
