Study visa approvals for Nigerian students surged by 149 percent in Q2 2025, making Nigeria a key market for UK universities despite stricter immigration policies.
Study visa approvals for Nigerian students rose by 149 percent in the second quarter of 2025 compared with the same period last year, making Nigeria one of the UK’s strongest-performing higher education markets, according to data from Apply Board.
The report revealed that nearly 63,000 main applicants sought UK study visas between April and June, a 16 percent rise year-on-year. More than 56,000 visas were issued, marking a 24 percent increase, while refusal rates held steady at 9 percent for the third consecutive quarter. The grant rate for Nigerian applicants stood at 96 percent.
“The sharp rebound in study visa approvals signifies the resilience of demand for international education, even against a backdrop of economic strain and tougher immigration controls,” Apply Board noted.
The growth comes less than a year after the UK restricted international students from bringing family members, a policy that heavily impacted Nigerians.
Analysts warn, however, that universities face uncertainty as the UK’s 2025 immigration White Paper proposes tighter compliance rules.