The British High Commission to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has confirmed that about 430,000 visa applications by Nigerians were approved in 2024.
The development was disclosed in a press statement by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
Montgomery stated this during a meeting with the Chairperson and CEO of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, advising Nigerian visa applicants to apply directly and avoid third parties.
Montgomery said:
The UK envoy in Nigeria reassured Nigerians of their safety amid the ongoing unrest, stating that the government is home to diverse people from different countries.
According to reports, Montgomery stated that 60 special courts have been established to address the criminal activities.
He said that about 400 persons have been arrested in connection with the violence as the government seeks justice against those inciting violence via hatred and disinformation online.
The NIDCOM boss, Dabiri-Erewa, said that no Nigerian has been reported dead or affected by the unrest so far.
She noted that NIDCOM is in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in London and other diaspora groups, which did not report any casualty.
Dabiri-Erewa praised the UK government for its prompt interventions, particularly the arrests made, and reminded Nigerians to stay safe and vigilant and follow the travel advisory issued by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
TimesNow.com.ng previously reported that the United Kingdom has updated its list of companies permitted to sponsor skilled immigrants through the temporary worker immigration route.
According to checks by TimesNow.com.ng, the latest list, updated on Friday, May 24, 2024, now includes 113,919 approved companies.
This indicates that 14,063 companies have now been added to the approved list when compared to the 99,856 approved at the start of 2024.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
