Nigerians warned about future access to the UK:

New IAS offices in Nigeria will help applicants with advice and their documentation as well as appeals

On a panel with the UK High Commissioner for Nigeria Mr Bob Dewar, the Deputy High Commissioner Richard Powell, the Mayor of Barking & Dagenham, the Minister and other officials from the Nigerian High Commission in London last night Keith Best, Chief Executive of IAS, spoke to a packed meeting of Nigerians at London University, Strand, organised by the umbrella body CANUK (CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIANS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM). Many of the questions and comments from participants were about migration from Nigeria to the UK.

"We have recognised the needs of Nigerians to have improved advice services on complicated immigration matters" said Keith Best. "That is why recently IAS has opened our offices in Lagos and Abuja* in order to ensure that Nigerians have access to competent, current advice on the ever changing immigration rules and requirements.

"Sadly, far too many Nigerians put themselves in the hands of unscrupulous local travel agents and so-called visa specialists who offer guaranteed visas but who encourage fraudulent claims and use of forged documents. When these are spotted by the British entry clearance officers the applicants are refused, can be prosecuted and often are banned from coming to the UK for many years. This accounts for the 45% high refusal rate of applications."  The British High Commissioner pointed out that there is a high success rate of 75% on appeal and Keith Best confirmed that IAS wins many appeals.

Keith Best pointed out that from March 2009 the Tier 4 student category under the Points Based System is being implemented and refused applicants will no longer have a right of appeal against refusal. "This is wrong and alarming bearing in mind the high appeal success rate and further demonstrates the need for proper advice and assistance in lodging an application in the first place."

Complaints were made from the audience about family visitor refusals, that entry clearance officers in the British High Commission do not respond to emails and also ask for documents which have already been produced, nor are applicants informed when their passports are ready to collect.

Keith Best described as inappropriate the ever increasing fee levels charged for applications and especially the £50 surcharge on each visa announced recently by the Government. "This is designed to go towards the costs of local authorities and others in dealing with children and communities who cannot speak English - yet it is usually the Eastern Europeans who cause such difficulties and who will not be charged as they do not need visas whereas Commonwealth citizens, such as Nigerians, who understand the UK and English will be forced to pay.

"I am worried that in this climate of recession there will be further restrictions on labour migration from countries like Nigeria. Yet this is not in Britain's best interests. The High Commissioner reminded us that the British Government has rightly set its face against economic protectionism in the current recession - but there is also labour protectionism which should be avoided as it is not to the long-term advantage of the UK as a trading nation that needs a constant supply of expertise from overseas."

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