Emdee Tiamiyu, a Nigerian YouTuber, received criticism for his remarks that some foreigners use student visas to enter the UK illegally in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation.
He claims that the majority of Nigerian students who apply to study in the UK aren’t interested in furthering their education but rather in making a living in the United Kingdom.
“The student route is more like an answered prayer. It is a big bracket that can accommodate a lot of people, especially ordinary individuals. We are starting to realise that many people simply use their student status as a cover. So, the idea of being a student is not genuine, and they don’t necessarily need the degrees.” Emdee Tiamiyu said.
Tiamiyu, who is presently based in Birmingham, gave the interview after new immigration regulations were proposed that would make it more difficult for foreign students from Nigeria and other countries to bring their families to the United Kingdom as dependents.
By eliminating the option for overseas students to convert from the student route to the employment route before completing their studies, the new laws aim to prevent the exploitation of the visa system beginning in January 2024.
Many Nigerians who were upset by Tiamiyu’s remarks believed that he had made it more difficult for students with good intentions to study in the UK to do so.
Others saw him as someone who would do everything to gain influence and fame. The backlash to his comments shows how strongly people feel about the positive and negative aspects of studying abroad, as well as the effects of the new immigration laws on potential Nigerian students. However, Emdee has expressed regret for any inconvenience his statement may have caused anyone.
