Why UK varsities are cancelling Nigerians’ admission — Report

UK universities are suspending or withdrawing admission offers to Nigerian students amid a surge in study visa application refusals and concerns over stricter immigration rules, according to a report by The Financial Times. The number of Nigerian study visa applications withdrawn in the first half of 2026 surged to 22.7 percent, up from 4.5 percent in the same period last year.

The UK government has tightened rules for universities sponsoring international students, and institutions now face penalties if more than five percent of admitted international students have their visa applications rejected. Universities have responded by revoking admission offers to avoid breaching compliance thresholds. The trend has also affected applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India, with withdrawal rates ranging from 5.2 to 40.9 percent in the first half of 2026.

The pressure on UK universities, which rely on international student tuition fees, could lead to job losses and closures. The Home Office maintains that international students positively contribute to Britain and offers support to universities to improve recruitment practices.