In 2025, Nigeria dropped to fourth in the UK’s international student market, falling behind India, China, and Pakistan due to a 14 percent downfall in visa issuances influenced significantly by the dependants’ ban. Statistics showed a stark decline in applications, particularly for master’s programmes, impacting Nigerian and Indian students significantly. China regained its top position, while Nigeria issued only 18,900 visas in 2024, reflecting the shifting dynamics in the education sector.
In 2025, Nigeria’s position in the UK’s international student market has declined to fourth place, falling behind India, China, and Pakistan for sponsored study visas. According to the UK Home Office report, the significant drop in applications stems from various factors, primarily the limitations introduced by the dependants’ ban. This ban has notably affected student demand from Nigeria and other non-European nations.
Recent statistics reveal that in 2024, there was a 14 percent decrease in visa issuances for international students compared to the previous year, with a total of only 393,125 visas granted. The reduction aligns closely with prior predictions regarding the impact of the dependants’ ban on student recruitment from key markets like Nigeria, which experienced a -55 percent fall-off compared to the previous year, leading to its current ranking.
According to the latest rankings, the leading countries for UK sponsored study visas in 2024 include China (102,940), India (88,860), and Pakistan (35,045). This data reflects significant shifts in student demand, with Nigeria now at fourth, issuing just 18,900 visas, a notable drop from previous figures.
The newly imposed restrictions on dependants have heavily influenced enrolments, especially for master’s programmes, which previously allowed students to bring their families. As a result, the percentage of study visas issued for such programmes has declined, impacting overall enrolments from emerging markets.
In particular, the data indicates a stark contrast between the decline in Nigerian and Indian student visas (-55 percent and -26 percent respectively) and the relatively minor decrease among Chinese applicants (-6 percent), allowing China to reclaim its status as the top source of international students for the UK education sector.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s reduction to fourth place in the UK’s international student market demonstrates the significant impact of the dependants’ ban on student mobility. With a 14 percent decrease in visa issuances, the changing dynamics signal a need for UK educational institutions to adapt to these shifts. As countries like India and Pakistan rise in rankings, Nigeria’s traditionally strong student presence faces challenges that require a strategic response to rekindle interest among prospective students.
Original Source: businessday.ng