The British High Commission in Nigeria has apologised for any inconvenience caused to Nigerians due to its statement on March 15 in which it announced its inability to offer Priority Visa for visitor applications in Nigeria including “temporary suspension of priority visas for student, work and family applications.”
It was earlier reported that the government of the United Kingdom (UK) had stated that it was giving priority to the “Ukraine Family Scheme” which allows Ukrainians, those residing there or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national to make applications based on new study, work, and family.
It had also said it would give priority consideration to anyone with medical emergencies.
But in a statement issued yesterday, the UK government said that the “reports circulating in the Nigerian media and online that the UK has suspended student, work and family visas for Nigerian applicants” is not true.
Apparently due to the interest of the Nigerian public, the UK said “it is still possible to apply for any category of UK visa in the usual way on gov.uk and via our Visa Applications Centres (VAC) in Nigeria. “
The statement reads in full:
“Following the statement issued by the British High Commission in Nigeria on 15 March “Temporary suspension of priority visas for student work and family applications”, we are aware of reports circulating in the Nigerian media and online that the UK has suspended student, work and family visas for Nigerian applicants.
“This is not true. It is still possible to apply for any category of UK visa in the usual way on gov.uk and via our Visa Applications Centres (VAC) in Nigeria.
“Our VACs remain open, and customers are welcome to apply for a standard visa of any category in the usual manner, this includes student, family, work and visit visas.
“However, due to a reprioritisation of resources in response to the humanitarian crisis arising from the invasion of Ukraine, the UK has temporarily suspended its priority visa service.
Reps seek automatic employment for first class graduates
“As our 15 March statement, made clear, this temporary suspension only applies to the UKVI’s expedited, added-value ‘Priority’ and ‘Super Priority’ visa services. This suspension is to enable the UK’s global visa operation to prioritise applications for the new Ukraine Family Scheme.
“This decision to suspend priority visa services is also clearly stated on UKVI’s guidance page, which sets out the latest decision waiting times for visa applicants outside the UK: www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-decision-waiting-times-applications-outside-the-uk.
“On behalf of UKVI, the British High Commission in Nigeria would like to apologise for any inconvenience this development has caused.
“The British High Commission in Nigeria will issue an updated statement the moment ‘Priority’ and ‘Super Priority’ visa services resume.”
Reps seek automatic employment for first class graduates
The House of Representatives yesterday urged the Federal Ministry of Education to liaise with relevant government agencies to ensure employment for first-class graduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The House mandated the Committees on Tertiary Education and Services, and Labour, Employment and Productivity to ensure compliance.
These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion on the Need to Grant Automatic Employment to First Class Graduates moved by Hon. Chinedu Emeka Martins.
The House noted that Nigerian universities produce hundreds of First-Class graduates annually at the end of every academic year, but a great percentage of them find it difficult to secure employment and contribute to nation building.
The House was concerned about the growing rate at which employable First-Class graduates in Nigeria are unable to secure jobs thus, forcing them to leave the country and become assets to other countries that offer employment.
The House said it was aware that some Universities award their first-class graduates with automatic employment as assistant lecturers or student lecturers in their specific courses;
It said it was also aware that recently, the University of Lagos offered employment to no fewer than 100 graduates of the University who made First-Class in various fields of study in the University.
The House added that it is common knowledge that some firms in the country consider applicants with First-class honours before other categories of graduates, which is in line with global best practices.
The House said Nigeria’s inability to leave the status of a developing nation may not be unconnected with the insensitivity and lack of political will of the ruling class and policymakers to introduce a reward system that ensures that the best brains automatically occupy important positions according to their area of competence.
The House noted that reports have shown that in seeking admissions to Universities, students consider countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France, Australia, China, Canada as it increases their chances of being employed upon graduation.
It believed that automatic employment for first-class graduates will not only serve as a source of motivation for students to work harder but will also maximize their potential in preparation for different economic roles, future leadership positions and ultimately reduce unemployment while helping to achieve development targets.
