Billionaire Keji Giwa has drawn heavy criticism after publicly saying he hopes Nigerians in the UK are deported so skilled workers can return to Nigeria.
“I want every Nigerian in the U.K. deported and their visas denied” — Billionaire Businessman Keji Giwa
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) February 28, 2026
Nigerian billionaire businessman Keji Giwa has sparked widespread backlash after calling for Nigerians in the United Kingdom to be deported and denied visa extensions. Speaking on the TalkwithRuth podcast, Giwa lamented the ongoing “Japa” trend, saying many of his top employees had relocated abroad after receiving training in his companies, leaving his businesses struggling with talent gaps. He argued that stricter visa policies in the UK and Canada have helped retain skilled workers in Nigeria and openly admitted praying for deportations so professionals would return home.
Giwa further stirred controversy when he said income inequality allows him to pay lower wages locally, a remark that triggered sharp criticism online. Social media users accused him of lacking empathy and benefiting from foreign exposure while opposing others’ migration, with many arguing that Nigerians leave due to economic hardship and limited opportunities at home.
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