Headline

British High Commission Clarifies Stance On UK Visa Rules

Published

1 year ago

May 7, 2025

Editor

The British High Commission in Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating legal migration and legitimate travel while continuing efforts to curb immigration abuse.

This comes amid growing speculation regarding potential changes to the United Kingdom visa regulations,

A spokesperson for the Commission (name withheld) in a statement issued by the commission on Wednesday stated, “We keep our immigration system under constant review to allow legal migration and legitimate travel, while deterring those who may seek to abuse it.”

Emphasising the strength of bilateral ties, the spokesperson added, “Our UK and Nigeria people-to-people links are strong and enduring, and we continue to work closely with the Government of Nigeria to tackle irregular migration.”

The High Commission urged individuals seeking more information on this matter to reach out to its Press and Public Affairs team, appreciating the public’s understanding and cooperation in addressing migration concerns.

The Times on Tuesday reported that the UK was considering new immigration measures that could make it harder for citizens of Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to obtain visas, citing high rates of overstays and subsequent asylum claims.

According to the report, the UK Home Office was preparing to introduce stricter visa policies targeting nationalities identified as having a greater likelihood of remaining in the country beyond the terms of their visas.

In recent years, Nigerian applicants have faced tighter visa rules, including restrictions on bringing dependents and reduced post-study work opportunities.

As a result, student visa applications from Nigeria have significantly declined, and many are now looking to alternative destinations, including the United States, where visa policies have also become more restrictive.

Data from 2024 revealed a sharp rise in UK visa rejections for Nigerians, with the rejection rate increasing from 1 in 31 applications in 2022 to 1 in 8 by late 2023. This has led to a 63 percent drop in UK visas issued to Nigerians over the past year.

Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.