Migration Surge: Over 52,000 Nigerians Moved to the UK in 2024

 

The "Japa" phenomenon the Nigerian dream of migrating abroad, shows no signs of slowing down, at least when it comes to the United Kingdom! New data released by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that a whopping 52,000 Nigerians immigrated to the UK in the year ending December 2024. This impressive figure stands out, even as overall net migration to the UK surprisingly dropped by nearly 50%!. 

Nigerians clearly remain a dominant force in non-EU+ migration to the UK. The ONS data breaks down the popular pathways: 27,000 Nigerians arrived on work-related visas, signaling strong professional ambitions. Another 22,000 came to study, continuing the trend of Nigerians seeking quality education abroad. 3,000 fell under other immigration categories, showcasing diverse reasons for the move.

This places Nigeria firmly among the top contributors to non-EU+ migration, rubbing shoulders with powerhouses like India, Pakistan, and China. The ONS highlighted that for these major contributors (excluding China, where study dominates), "work- and study-related immigration estimates were fairly similar," highlighting our strong presence across key sectors.

Demographically, these new immigrants are predominantly young and working-age, with about 83% between 16 and 64 years old, and a relatively even gender split (52% male, 48% female).

Interestingly, while Nigerian migration to the UK remained robust, the overall picture for the UK shows a significant shift. Long-term net migration provisionally dropped from 860,000 in 2023 to 431,000 in 2024. This reduction is largely attributed to fewer non-EU+ nationals arriving on work and study visas overall, and an increase in people leaving the UK, especially those who came on study visas post-pandemic.

Despite this broader downturn, Nigeria's consistent numbers emphasize the UK's continued appeal as a destination for work, study, and other opportunities. It seems for many Nigerians, the allure of greener pastures across the pond remains as strong as ever!.