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Nigerians risk deportation as UK scraps sponsorship for over 100 skilled jobs
Panic has gripped thousands of Nigerians working in the United Kingdom on Certificate of Sponsorship or Skilled Worker visas over the new regulations announced by the British government.
The UK government, in its efforts to control immigration, has removed over 100 jobs, including skilled worker roles, from CoS eligibility, while the salary thresholds for other jobs on the scheme have also been increased by at least 30 per cent.
The UK Home Office announcing the new regulations, stated that with effect from July 22, 2025, over 100 previously eligible skilled job roles from the CoS system are now delisted
The government removed lower-skilled roles (previously at RQF Level 3–5) from CoS eligibility unless they appear on a newly created Temporary Shortage Occupation List.
Some of the delisted jobs include managers and proprietors in agriculture, forestry, hospitality, and logistics (SOC 1211–1258); health, community and welfare roles such as dispensing opticians, pharmaceutical technicians, youth and community workers, and counsellors (SOC 3211–3224); protective service roles like police officers (sergeant and below), fire service officers, and prison officers (SOC 3312–3314); as well as creative and performing arts professionals, including artists, authors, translators, actors, dancers, photographers, and interior or fashion designers (SOC 3411–3429), among others.
In addition, the salary threshold for general Skilled Worker visa roles has been increased from around £26,000 to £41,700, while health and care roles must still pay a minimum of £25,600, net of all deductions such as accommodation and transportation.
Speaking on the implications, UK-based travel agent and CEO of Phika Travels and Tours, Kayode Alabi, warned that many Nigerian professionals might soon find themselves without a pathway to renew their visas.
“No Nigerians have been sacked because of the new regulations,” Alabi told PUNCH.
“But their fate will hang in the balance because at the end of their current sponsorship, those whose jobs have been removed from CoS eligibility will not be able to find a new job in that category, and their visa will not be renewed. If you don’t have a valid visa, you become an illegal immigrant.”
Alabi also noted that even workers in retained roles may face challenges, as employers now have to meet steep salary thresholds.
“By the time that sponsorship expires, will your company be able to pay the new salary threshold? That is the issue,” he said.
He confirmed that uncertainty and fear are growing in the Nigerian community, saying, “We can say there is panic among our people. Yes, there is. People don’t know what will become their fate at the expiration of their sponsorship.”
Several Nigerians currently in the UK on CoS visas shared their anxieties with The PUNCH.
Banjo Fola, whose current visa is set to expire in a few months, said, “My employer has said he cannot afford the new salary threshold. It is very hard. I don’t even know what to do.”
Another Nigerian caregiver, whose visa expires in August, lamented, “My sponsorship will expire in August, and the new regulation has made it impossible to get a new job because of the salary threshold. I may likely return home.”
Similarly, a Nigerian who arrived in the UK in February 2023 shared his fears: “Our current jobs have been removed, meaning that we will be jobless in the next one year.
“My sponsorship is for three years, so I have less than a year to find another job, which is not even there because of the new salary threshold.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Cardinal E-School and Edu Services, Mr. Sulaimon Okewole, reportedly projected that more than 10,000 Nigerians may be forced to return home.
“While the UK government’s goal of reducing net migration is understandable, the impact on Nigerians, a community known for its immense contribution to the UK’s workforce, demands some discussions,” Okewole said.
“The most immediate concern is the sharp rise in salary thresholds. For many Nigerians, especially in sectors like healthcare and IT, this could mean fewer job offers unless UK employers adjust pay scales.”
He added, “It is no doubt that over 10,000 Nigerians will be affected by this new regulation, as they will probably return home or find another destination.”
Okewole also predicted a shift in migration trends: “Professionals who previously saw the UK as a viable destination may now find their options limited unless they secure roles that meet the higher salary bands.”
In Nigeria, the new policy is already taking a toll on families with loved ones abroad.
Eniola, a student at the University of Ibadan, said her mother, a caregiver in the UK since 2023, is now uncertain about her future.
“She has practically lost her job because the sponsorship will come to an end in November. She informed me that her job has been delisted, and she is not sure she will find a fresh sponsor or new job. I can tell from our conversation that she is afraid,” Eniola said.
According to UK Home Office statistics, 26,715 Skilled Worker visas were granted to Nigerians in 2023, a significant increase from 8,491 in 2022.
However, visa issuances are now on the decline in 2024, with a notable reduction in Health and Care Worker visas granted in the first half of the year.
As the effects of the new immigration rules begin to unfold, many Nigerian migrants and aspiring workers may be forced to look elsewhere for opportunities, amid an increasingly unwelcoming UK immigration landscape.
The Federal Government’s Independent Investigative Committee probing the deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State has found that the deceased died from asphyxiation.
The committee Chairman and former Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, disclosed this on Tuesday while presenting the panel’s report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja.
Kure stated that the panel recommended that one point four billion be paid to the families of 33 victims and forty-four survivors.
The committee chairman added that the deaths were avoidable as the victims, inclng 14 minors, were held in inhuman conditions.
The committee also recommended summary dismissal of the state commandant of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and all other officers who were directly involved in the detention and eventual death of the miners
The committee equally recommended institutional reforms for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in order to strengthen the leadership of the corps.
The Minister of Interior, who received the report, promised to implement the recommendations of the committee in order to ensure justice for all affected persons.
Tunji-Ojo also directed the commandant of the Corps to immediately suspend all officers who cleaned up the detention centre in order to destroy evidence.
The finding marks a major development in the investigation into the deaths of the suspected illegal miners, who died on September 17, 2026, while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command in Minna.
The victims were among dozens of persons arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state. (PUNCH)
…Sen. Nnamani, Nwobodo, Dr. Nnamani, Chime, Ugwuanyi, Prof. Nnaji, Arthur Eze, Frank Nweke, Madueke, others get advisory roles
…Udeh, Nwoye, Utazi, Egumgbe, Ben Collins Ndu, Onyia, others head 51 Directorates
…Council to be inaugurated on Tuesday
The Enugu State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, unveiled the party’s Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Campaign Council, comprising 51 Directorates, is chaired by the Governor of the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, while the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Deputy National Chairman, APC (South); Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; and the Chairman of the party in the state, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, are Vice Chairmen.
The list signed by Chukwunweike and the Secretary of Enugu APC, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie, also has Chief Charlie Mbah as the Director-General of the Campaign Organisation and Dr. Eric Oluedo as the Secretary-General.
Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Dr. Dan Shere, and Hon. S.K.E. Udeh-Okoye are Deputy Campaign DGs for Enugu East Senatorial District, Enugu North Senatorial District, and Enugu West Senatorial District, respectively.
Barr. Steve Oruruo is the Campaign Spokesperson and Director of the Public Communication Committee, with Dr. Austin Okolie as co-spokesperson and Dr. Malachy Agbo as Secretary.
Mazi Uche Anichukwu and Dan Nwomeh, both drawn from the Governor’s media team, head the Directorate of New Media and Strategic Communication and the Directorate of Mainstream Media, respectively. Dr. Collins Ogbu is the Secretary of the former, while Dr. Reuben Onyishi is the Secretary of the latter.
Barr. Victor Udeh leads the Administration Directorate, while Dr. Ben Nwoye and Arc. Uche Nwatu are the Director and Co-Director of the Fundraising Committee, respectively.
Former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla (Rtd.), chairs the Security Directorate, while former Inspector General of Police, Ogbono Onovo (Rtd.), is the Secretary.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology is in charge of the Directorate of Government Appointees Coordination (Federal and State), with Prof. Chidiebere Onyia as Secretary, while former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odoh, heads Inter-Party Affairs.
Senator Osita Ngwu, Senator Ikeje Asogwa, and Senator Kelvin Chukwu are Coordinators of the Campaign Council in Enugu West, Enugu North, and Enugu East, respectively.
Meanwhile, in their co-signed statement, Chukwunweike and Nnadozie said the size of the Campaign Council was a reflection of “the conviction that every community, ward, local government area, professional group, support organisation, youth body, women’s group, elder, party faithful and person of goodwill must be seen, heard and meaningfully engaged.”
“Appointment into the campaign structure is therefore not merely an honour; it is a call to duty, accountability and measurable contribution,” they stated.
The Council will be inaugurated at the International Conference Centre, Enugu on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
All members of the Campaign Council are to be seated before 3pm.
CLICK LINK BELOW TO SEE FULL LIST:
APC ENUGU CAMPAIGN COUNCIL COMPOSITION-1
Tension has gripped parts of Kwara State following the reported abduction of members of the Iru Ekun Security Group, a security outfit spearheaded by Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
The assailants reportedly abducted the security operatives and forced them to renounce their activities of protecting communities in the state.
According to reports, the abducted members pleaded for their release and were compelled to renounce their community protection activities.
The Iru Ekun Security Group was established to protect Yoruba communities in Kwara State against terrorist attacks and kidnappings.
The reported abduction has sparked fear among residents who rely on the group for protection against insecurity in their communities.
As of the time of filing this report, Igboho had yet to issue a statement on the reported abduction of the security group members.
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