The dream of some Nigerian youths to relocate to the United Kingdom for work or academic pursuits is turning into a mirage following the recent unveiling of a controversial White Paper by the British government aimed at curbing net migration.

The proposed reforms, which have triggered reactions across the globe, are forcing a major rethink among prospective immigrants and those already navigating life in the UK.

The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, on Monday, presented the 2025 Immigration White Paper, titled, ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System.’

The policy document outlines ambitious plans to slash net migration by 100,000 annually, with significant changes impacting work, study, family, and asylum routes. 

According to the document, prospective and current immigrants will face an extended settlement period, a higher skilled worker threshold, a shortened post-study work visa duration, and more stringent English language requirements.

The White Paper is not yet a policy.

A bill is expected to be drafted based on feedback from the document, which will go through the parliament for consideration before it is passed into law and implemented.

However, the document has been met with widespread dismay, as many Nigerians lamented that the window for relocation is rapidly closing.

A particularly concerning clause in the paper states, “Legislation will be brought in to make clear that the government and parliament, not courts, determine who should stay, tackling misuse of Article 8 (right to family life) to block deportations.”

Tougher conditions for workers, students

In a bid to reduce work-related migration, the UK government will now mandate that skilled workers possess university certificates and meet new, higher salary thresholds to qualify for visas.

The White Paper noted that the UK was turning into an “Island of strangers,” and announced that the “Immigration Skills Charge, paid by sponsors, will rise by 32 per cent for the first time since 2017, in line with inflation.”

The social care sector, a significant employer of Nigerian immigrants, also faces a severe clampdown.

The paper states, “Social care visas will close to new overseas applicants; people already in the UK with work rights can extend or switch visas until 2028, subject to review.”

International students and their sponsoring universities are not spared. Graduates will now only be permitted to stay in the UK for 18 months post-study, down from the current two years.

A levy on income from international students is also under consideration, with funds potentially redirected towards domestic skills training.

Sponsoring institutions will face stricter compliance, needing to demonstrate at least a 95 per cent course enrolment rate and a 90 per cent completion rate.

Furthermore, the default route to permanent settlement will be extended to 10 years, unless an individual makes “notable economic or social contributions.”

Nigerians eye alternative destinations

A senior lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, England, Dr. Oyedele Ogundana, advised Nigerians to critically reassess their UK plans in light of the stricter requirements.

He said, “Given the UK’s new immigration policies, such as extending residency requirements from five to 10 years, stricter English language criteria, and halting new social care visas, Nigerians should reassess their plans.”

“Countries like Germany, Portugal, Australia, and Canada offer more accommodating immigration policies. Germany is actively recruiting skilled workers; Canada and Portugal have a welcoming environment for African immigrants; Australia offers favourable conditions for skilled migrants and students.”

For those already in the UK, Ogundana recommended seeking legal counsel to understand their rights under the proposed policy.

Despite the stringent measures, some believe Nigerians in the UK can still adapt.

A London-based Nigerian attorney, Mrs Efuru Nwapa, noted that Prime Minister Starmer was under considerable pressure to regulate immigration.

“The British PM is under pressure to control immigration, and one of the strategies is to limit the number of legal migrants, which would, in turn, ease the pressure on public services,” she explained.

“Nigerians who want to relocate to the UK through the skilled worker route should ensure they meet the eligibility criteria, such as having at least a degree qualification.

“I do not believe that the contracts of Nigerians already in the UK working in relevant sectors would be terminated, but the contracts may not be renewed. Therefore, they should enrol in courses to meet the new eligibility criteria.”

A travel agent in London, Mrs. Elizabeth Nwachukwu, suggested that the policy might face review due to backlash from immigrants.

“I understand the panic among those affected, but the policy could still be thoroughly examined if more people stand against it. Meanwhile, Luxembourg and Scotland have fairer social care worker schemes, which Nigerians can explore.”

Upskilling and strategic planning

The President of the American Academy of Optometry, African chapter, Dr Uchechukwu Osuagwu, emphasised the importance of upskilling.

He advised Nigerians to “focus on high-demand and high-skilled professions that remain open to international recruitment, particularly in technology, engineering, and healthcare,” and to “pursue further education or certifications that align with the UK’s skill requirements.”

For social care workers already in the UK, he suggested they “engage with employers about sponsorship options and consider upskilling themselves to transition into roles less affected by policy changes.”

With the residency period extended, Dr Osuagwu stressed that “maintaining a good record of contributions to society is critical to strengthen future applications. Always pay taxes and keep records transparent and clean.”

He also recommended Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, and Ireland as alternatives.

“Germany just introduced the Skilled Migration Act, which allows easy access for qualified professionals, especially in engineering and IT,” he noted.

‘Stay in your country’

A Nigeria-based immigration lawyer, Yemi Opemuti, predicted that the policy could reduce Nigerian emigration to the UK by 50 per cent or more.

He described it as a reflection of a broader Western trend to “reduce the influx of legal migrants by imposing stricter conditions and discouraging long-term settlement by foreign nationals, especially from developing countries like Nigeria.”

Opemuti highlighted the severe restrictions on the student visa route.

“Before now, the reservation fund for international students used to be between £28,000 and £29,000, but it has increased to £38,000 or £39,000. The implication is that a Nigerian hoping to study in the UK may now need between N15m and N20m as a reservation fund,” he explained.

“Now, it’s going to almost N45m or N50m, which will make it harder for Nigerians to travel to the UK through the study route.

“To me, what this is telling us is that these countries want us to stay in our country,” Opemuti stated, acknowledging that determined individuals would likely seek opportunities in EU countries like Germany and France, or even Australia and parts of Asia.”

He advised Nigerians to focus on building sustainable livelihoods at home before considering relocation amid such challenging global immigration climates.

Some Nigerian youths, who took to social media, criticised the move by the Labour Party.

On X, one J Adams wrote, “The same people who colonised us, exploited our resources, and reshaped our systems are now the ones setting up hurdles for our freedom of movement. History has a way of repeating itself, just in different forms.”

According to Allan Lawrence on Facebook, “They need your school fees, which you will pay to study, but they don’t need you to live in their country to work.”

“It is not negotiable to develop our continent. It is staring at us now. No hiding place anymore,” Oyinbo Adeniyi said on Facebook.

Another Facebook user, Ade BusyTee, said there was nothing unusual in the plan.

“Same with care and studying. Don’t worry, they will come back to reverse it again. Those employed to give care can’t survive 10 years in care homes with the loads of work and pay. They will come back for more soon,” he added.

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 43-year-old woman identified as Gift for allegedly biting off the tip of her lover’s penis during a domestic dispute in the Mile 3 area of Diobu, Port Harcourt.

The incident, which occurred on Thursday, sent shockwaves through the densely populated Bishop Okoye Street when news of the act emerged.

According to sources, the altercation began when Gift’s lover, identified only as Sunday, requested to have sex.

Gift reportedly refused, accusing him of using sex-enhancing drugs that made their encounters excessively prolonged.

A resident who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said, “Mr. Sunday became angry and allegedly descended on his female partner for her refusal.

“In the process, Gift managed to get hold of the man’s manhood with her mouth and chop off the cap of the penis.”

The man’s screams reportedly drew the attention of neighbours, some of whom attempted to mob the woman before police intervened.

“The cap of the man’s penis was completely bitten off by the woman,” the source added.

Gift was rescued by officers from the Nkpolu Police Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, and taken into custody.

The victim, Sunday, was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in the city for urgent medical attention.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident on Friday.

“Yes, I can confirm the incident. The woman (suspect) aged 43 years has been arrested and investigation is ongoing,” Iringe-Koko said.

Family members of soldiers killed during recent battles against insurgents in the North-East have mourned the death of their loved ones, urging the government to put an end to the bloodbath in the region.

The relatives, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH in separate interviews, also called on the Federal Government to demonstrate genuine commitment to the fight against insurgency by providing adequate arms and ammunition, improving the welfare of military personnel, and caring for the families of fallen soldiers.

The families spoke after Monday’s attack on a military base in Marte, Borno State, which claimed the lives of five soldiers.

Attacks on military bases

Boko Haram insurgents had invaded the Forward Operating Base in the early hours of that day, overpowering the soldiers on duty, looting weapons, and escaping with military vehicles.

Multiple military sources told Saturday PUNCH that some soldiers who witnessed the attack abandoned their posts and returned to their hometowns.

However, the Defence Headquarters said troops repelled the attack.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, in a statement on Friday, said, “Troops of the AFN in Marte came under attack on Monday, 12 May 2025, around 3am.

“However, the troops were able to repel the terrorists after a fierce gun battle, with a large number of terrorists neutralised while others escaped with bullet wounds.”

There have been repeated attacks on military installations in Borno and Yobe states since the beginning of the year by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

Saturday PUNCH noted that the insurgents launched their first attack of the year on a Forward Operating Base in Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, on January 4.

The Defence Headquarters confirmed that six soldiers were killed in the attack, while 34 terrorists were neutralised and 23 AK-47 rifles, along with over 200 rounds of ammunition, were recovered during a counteroffensive launched by the military.

No fewer than 20 soldiers, including a Commanding Officer, were also killed in an ISWAP attack on a military formation in Malam Fatori, Abadam LGA of Borno State, on January 25.

Similarly, three soldiers were reported killed in a Boko Haram attack in Isige Town, Gwoza LGA on February 15.

Saturday PUNCH learnt that no fewer than four soldiers died in coordinated attacks on military bases in Wajiroko and Wulgo villages of Borno on March 25.

On May 4, ISWAP attacked Buni Gari in Yobe State, reportedly killing about 11 soldiers.

However, the Defence Headquarters has not released an official casualty figure for these attacks, except for the one on the Forward Operating Base in Sabon Gari, Damboa.

None of my relatives will join military – Widow

The distraught widow of a slain army sergeant in Benue State said she would never allow any of her relatives to join the military until the war against Boko Haram in the North-East was over.

The widow, who claimed the military had warned her and others against speaking to the press, said her husband died in Borno about three months ago during one of the attacks on military formations.

“Because of what my husband went through, I will not encourage anyone close to me to join the military again. The soldiers were facing terrorists without proper weapons and other necessities. They lacked decent shelter and food. Their salary is also poor. The government is wasting the lives of innocent people fighting the terrorists,” she said.

The widow also revealed that her husband often warned young people against joining the military whenever he visited home.

“My husband was a sergeant, and before his death, he always warned youths in our village not to join the military because of what they were going through,” she said.

The woman told Saturday PUNCH that the military had yet to pay any compensation to the family since her husband’s death.

The widow, who had three children with the slain soldier, said the family had been struggling to survive since his passing and called on the military to pay the entitlements of all soldiers who died in active service and compensate their families.

Similarly, a grieving Gombe indigene, Shamsudeen Abdullahi, whose brother, Kamaludeen Abdullahi, died on May 7, 2025, in battle, lamented that their family was in disarray.

He said 30-year-old Kamaludeen, an indigene of Yalmatu-Deba in Gombe State, was killed by Boko Haram in Gwoza, Borno State.

“Life has been tough without our brother. He got married last year, and his wife is currently pregnant. He was very supportive to family members; our mother received N20,000 monthly from his salary, and some others got N10,000, N5,000,” Shamsudeen said.

He noted that the late soldier had applied for reposting out of Borno before he was killed.

“About three months ago, he wrote a letter requesting a repost, but it wasn’t approved. A week later, an army captain died at Izage, and my brother was deployed to replace him. He, too, is gone now,” he said.

He urged the government and security agencies to end insurgency as soon as possible.

Widows lament neglect

Also, widows of slain military personnel condemned what they described as neglect and ill-treatment by the government following the deaths of their husbands on the battlefield.

Speaking in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, the Coordinator of the Military Widows’ Association in the state, Asma’u Noma, lamented that a substantial number of military widows were going through hardship with no support from the authorities.

According to her, about 30 per cent of widows, whose husbands paid the supreme price, have yet to access their life insurance or death benefits. 

“A lot of them are wallowing in poverty and hunger,” she said.

Asma’u appealed to the Federal Government and military high command to come to their aid.

The coordinator added that some of the widows regretted marrying soldiers due to poor welfare and premature deaths.

“Some of them regret marrying soldiers because of the ill-treatment they have received after their husbands’ untimely deaths. If the government continues to turn a blind eye to the plight of military widows, no parent will allow their son to join the army,” she said.

Also, the widow of a military officer, Malama Abdullahi, who lost her husband in Maiduguri during an attack by Boko Haram, decried the failure of the military authorities to support the families of slain soldiers.

She told our correspondent that life had been hellish since her husband died.

The widow, who has four children and currently lives with her relatives in the Karkasara area of Tarauni LGA in Kano State, stressed the need for the military to design a comprehensive welfare package for the families of fallen soldiers.

“The condition of most families of deceased soldiers, especially those with lower ranks, is very poor. They cannot feed properly, let alone pay their children’s school fees or settle medical bills.

“I wonder why families of those who sacrificed their lives for the country are not being looked after. If not for my relatives, we would have been sleeping on the streets,” she lamented.

Serving soldiers’ families panic

The parent of a soldier, who spoke to one of our correspondents in Inisa, Osun State, likened sending soldiers to fight terrorists without proper arms to sacrificing them.

A woman, Aisha Suleiman, whose son is stationed in Yobe State, said she’s scared for his life.

“I’m scared for my son’s life every day. The killings are too much and worrisome,” she stated.

Suleiman, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH in Dutse, Jigawa State, urged the government to protect soldiers by equipping them with the necessary weapons to defeat the insurgents.

She added, “We want our children to be protected, not sacrificed for nothing. I wish the government would do more to protect our children and support their families. We didn’t expect that they would join the military and die for nothing.”

Similarly, the father of a serving soldier in Borno, who asked not to be named, criticised the government for not deploying enough weapons against the terrorists.

He lamented that deploying soldiers daily to fight insurgents would be futile if the military continued to ignore the need for proper arms and support.

“From what we read, these terrorists are better armed than our soldiers. They have been attacking our children repeatedly, and the government seems overwhelmed. We cannot continue like this; the government must put an end to these attacks. We want more action from the authorities,” he said.

Technology aiding attacks

Meanwhile, former military personnel have identified technological gaps and logistics challenges as factors aiding the increasing attacks on military formations by insurgents.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH in Bauchi, Brigadier General Yusuf Ladan (retd.) noted that the escalating attacks were a national concern, urging military authorities to improve their strategies and utilise technology more effectively.

“We are living in a world of high-tech warfare. You don’t always know where the enemy is coming from. So, technology is compounding the security challenges, and the military must enhance its technological capabilities in all engagements.

“There are also widespread allegations that some terror groups are being supported by foreign power blocs. If that is true, then they are likely well-equipped with modern technology,” he said.

The former military personnel also pointed out that troops might be grappling with logistics issues, calling on the government to improve their welfare.

He noted that the frequency of attacks should naturally put troops on constant alert.

“By now, the troops should be on their toes. They must always be the first to strike — take the war to the enemy,” Ladan added.

Also speaking, a retired colonel of the Nigerian Army, who requested anonymity, told Saturday PUNCH in Dutse, Jigawa State, that the government must boost the morale of troops by improving their welfare and providing them with adequate support and equipment.

“The government must take concrete steps to address the concerns of soldiers and their families. This includes tackling corruption, improving welfare, and ensuring adequate support for both serving personnel and bereaved families.

“Without these reforms, the future of the military looks bleak, and the nation’s security hangs in the balance.

“It’s essential to listen to the voices of those soldiers working at the frontlines and work towards building a more sustainable and equitable system. The time for decisive action is now,” he said.

Nollywood actor and politician, Desmond Elliot, got social media buzzing recently over the unique outfit he wore to the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

Elliot turned heads in a flamboyant black two-piece ensemble comprising a shirt and a skirt, which featured a bold elephant print. The daring outfit sparked mixed reactions online, but the actor says there’s a deeper meaning behind the choice.

In an interview with Saturday Beats, Elliot opened up about the inspiration behind his fashion statement. He said, “I am more in politics now and it means the few times you have the opportunity, just come out different. Don’t make too much noise but let people see a lot of noise in what you are doing. It could go two ways. It could be good or you could totally mess it up. Life is about taking chances and at 50, you have to take bold chances.

“What gives me confidence now is the fact that I have an elephant imprint which has always been my watchword because of what the elephant stands for – power, strength, loyalty, stability, love.”

When asked whether he enjoys the attention that comes with being in the limelight, Elliot replied, “I won’t exactly say I love it but it is okay. Right now, I don’t go too extreme. When you come through what they call ‘midlife crisis’, you just learn to consider how you are feeling at the moment but, generally, it is just my own way of saying let everyone live their lives.”

Asked if he was coming from a midlife crisis, Desmond Elliot added, “That is if I am not still in it.”