AFRICA

Nigeria’s House Opposes Motion Seeking To Stop UK Ban On Students’ Dependents

Nigeria’s House of Representatives rejected a motion sponsored by Hon. Taiwo Oluga, seeking to urge the United Kingdom to desist from banning Nigerian student emigrants from relocating with their families.

Oluga had while moving the motion noted that the Federal Republic of Nigeria had had a long history with the United Kingdom, which had been mutually beneficial to both countries, starting from the colonisation of Nigeria in the 19th century, granting of independence to Nigeria in 1960, and post-independence bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

She noted that the educational system in Nigeria, like many other aspects of the country, was fashioned after that of the United Kingdom.

This, she said, had led many Nigerians to seek employment as well as educational opportunities in the United Kingdom.

Oluga said, “Aware that recently, the United Kingdom Migration Policy allowed Nigerians admitted to United Kingdom universities to undergo Master’s Degree Programme to relocate/emigrate to allowing the Student Applicant (Primary Applicant) to the Kingdom with their family thereby relocate with his spouse (dependant) and children, whereupon the spouse/dependant is unable to work and earn a living supporting the family and paying tuition of the Nigerian Emigrant Family.”

She pointed out that the tuition for a Master’s degree programme was about 13,000 Pounds with an average number of 60,000 Nigerian applicants per year from Nigeria.

Oluga drew the attention of her colleagues to the fact that Nigeria and Britain had a mutually beneficial relationship.

However, when put to a voice vote by Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who presided over the plenary session, majority of lawmakers shouted ‘nay.’”

Udora Orizu in Abuja