Britain (Commonwealth)_The United Kingdom (UK) government, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, recently announced plans to impose restrictions on foreign students and their families, with the intention of implementing a sound economic policy. Starting in 2024, the government intends to ban international students, except those pursuing postgraduate courses, from bringing their families to the UK. This move, coupled with the elimination of the ability for international students to switch to work visas before completing their courses, aims to address rising net migration figures and tighten control over immigration.
According to education stakeholders, this development could have positive implications for the country, particularly in retaining talented individuals and conserving foreign exchange. Michael Ukonu, a senior lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, views the policy as an opportunity for Nigeria to retain its best minds and protect valuable resources. He acknowledges that the exodus of Nigerians to pursue education abroad is fueled not only by a drive for academic achievement but also by the country’s worsening economic conditions, leading to a surge in unemployment.
Ukonu also highlights the challenges within Nigeria’s education system, including poor learning environments and inadequate welfare conditions for stakeholders. These factors contribute to the elusive nature of quality education in Nigeria, making it difficult for the country to attract foreign students to its public universities. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has repeatedly gone on strike due to underfunding and the government’s failure to implement agreements reached in 2009. Insufficient infrastructure, teaching, learning, and research facilities further exacerbate the situation in tertiary institutions.
Friday Erhabor, director of media and strategy at Marklenez Limited, points out that many Nigerians seeking education abroad are using it as an opportunity to escape unemployment and economic challenges in Nigeria. He believes that the UK’s policy will reduce Nigerians’ access to education in Sunak’s administration. However, Erhabor suggests that the policy could benefit Nigeria if the government implements sound economic policies and fosters good leadership to create opportunities and tap into the country’s potential.
The UK has been a popular destination for international students, with the number of Nigerian students studying in the country increasing significantly in recent years. The Higher Education Statistics Agency reports that international students contribute £42 billion to the UK economy. The economic benefits of international students to the UK are substantial, estimated at approximately £41.9 billion over the entire period of their studies. The presence of international students contributes to the financial well-being of cities like Glasgow, London, Sheffield, Nottingham, and Newcastle.
The Department for Education in the UK reportedly opposes the home office’s plans to reduce the number of foreign students in the country. They argue that tuition fees paid by international students help reduce costs for British students, suggesting that a decline in foreign pupil numbers may necessitate increased funding from taxpayers or higher tuition fees for UK students. This opposition indicates that there are economic benefits associated with having foreign students in the UK, as highlighted by Ikechukwu Onyekwelu, managing editor at Edugist.
Onyekwelu suggests that private universities in Nigeria are well-positioned to take advantage of the UK’s policy. Many private universities already have exchange programs with foreign institutions, ensuring best practices and international exposure. However, he expresses concern about the state of public universities in Nigeria, citing a misalignment with industry demands and outdated curricula. To address this, he calls on the new government to appoint a professional educator with international exposure as the Minister of Education and create a framework for academic-industry interaction, research funding, and lecturer upskilling.
The UK government’s announcement to restrict foreign students’ ability to bring their families and limit the switch to work visas aims to strengthen its economic policy and control immigration. While this move may reduce access to education in the UK for Nigerians, it also presents an opportunity for Nigeria to address its economic challenges and improve its education system. Private universities are well-positioned to benefit from this policy, but it is crucial for the government to address the issues plaguing public universities to prevent the outflow of foreign exchange and align with global trends.
