Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigerian students hoping to study in the United Kingdom face growing uncertainty as universities withdraw admission offers amid rising study visa withdrawals and stricter immigration controls.
A Financial Times report published on Saturday said UK universities were withdrawing offers to international applicants, particularly from Nigeria and Pakistan, over concerns about rising visa refusals.
The report cited data showing that 10.5 per cent of UK study visa applications were withdrawn in the first half of 2026. This compares with 2.3 per cent in the same period in 2025 and 0.4 per cent in 2023. The figures were higher among Nigerian applicants. According to the report, 22.7 per cent of study visa applications from Nigeria were withdrawn between January and June 2026, compared with 4.5 per cent during the same period last year.
The Financial Times reported that the UK Home Office doubled study visa refusals in the first half of 2026, prompting universities to reconsider offers to international applicants.
Data from Enroly, a visa processing application firm, indicated that nearly half of UK universities had visa refusal rates above the five per cent threshold that could trigger restrictions on international student recruitment.
For Nigerian applicants, the developments could complicate admission plans, particularly for students who have already invested money in applications, accommodation and other preparations.
Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sunderland, said the university had reduced recruitment in some international markets because of the tougher visa approach. “This has involved pulling back from international markets where a tougher approach is being taken to visa applications,” he said.
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Oluwatobi Adu