Nigeria came in second as the top countries where most of its citizens emigrated to the United Kingdom in 2024, according to recently released UK immigration statistics.
The report says that Nigeria had a total of 141,000 migrants and was the second-largest source of foreign nationals to enter the UK last year. The number includes people who moved to work, study, for family reunions, among others.
India topped the list with 250,000 migrants, maintaining its lead as the largest source of foreign residents in the UK. Coming behind Nigeria in third place was China, followed by Pakistan and Zimbabwe, which made up the rest of the top five.
The upsurge in Nigerian migration is a wider trend, which is popularly referred to as “Japa,” a colloquial term for the growing wave of Nigerians migrating to other nations in search of better life.
The exodus is being propelled by economic woes, job shortages, and instability in the local system, experts contend. The majority of the Nigerians who migrated in the previous year were students, doctors, and specialists.
The UK has been a favorite destination due to its work and study visas, job placements in healthcare, and pathways to permanent residency. Stable income, security, and better education for their children were cited by most Nigerians as the push for migration.
The British government has acknowledged the steep increase in migration rates and is currently looking at revising certain of its visa policies. New dependent visa regulations and limitations on work for foreign students are already on the table, which will affect future migration levels.
Despite possible policy changes, Nigerian demand to migrate continues to be strong. Visa application centres throughout Nigeria have maintained high demand throughout early 2025.
Here is a concise outline of the Top 5 Countries with the highest number of migrants to the UK in 2024:
India – 250,000
Nigeria – 141,000
China – 89,000
Pakistan – 55,000
Zimbabwe – 33,000
Experts believe that the “Japa” phenomenon will continue unless issues at home—such as youth unemployment, insecurity, and substandard infrastructure—are addressed in Nigeria.
