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The British High Commissioner, Richard Montgomery, has revealed that the UK processes about 1,500 visa applications daily from Nigerians, reflecting strong UK-Nigeria ties.
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Speaking at the UK-Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja, Montgomery emphasized that most visa rejections are due to incomplete or inaccurate documentation, not discrimination.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has disclosed that the United Kingdom processes approximately 1,500 visa applications daily from Nigerian nationals — a figure he says underscores the deep people-to-people ties between both nations.
Montgomery made this known at the UK-Nigeria Economic Growth and Sustainability Summit held in Abuja on Wednesday.
“We continue to receive a high volume of visa applications from Nigeria — around 1,500 each day,” he said, adding, “This is a testament to the strong people-to-people connections between the UK and Nigeria, built on decades of shared history and cooperation.”
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He further explained that Nigerians make up nearly 10 percent of the UK’s annual visitor population of about 38 million, placing Nigeria among the top source countries.
“Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians are granted visas each year. When applications are made through the proper channels and with the correct documentation, most are approved,” he said.
The High Commissioner clarified that the majority of rejections are not due to ineligibility but rather to incomplete or false information.
“There is a misconception that the UK indiscriminately rejects Nigerian applications. That is not true. When documentation is accurate and procedures are followed, approval rates are encouraging,” he added.
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Montgomery advised applicants to use only verified channels and avoid unofficial agents.
“The UK government is committed to a fair and transparent visa process. We continue to work closely with Nigerian authorities to address issues of fraud and ensure that genuine travellers are not disadvantaged.”
Highlighting available options, he said applicants can choose from standard, priority, or super priority visa services, depending on their urgency. Business travellers, he noted, could also benefit from the UK’s multiple entry framework.
Reaffirming the UK’s bilateral commitment, Montgomery described Nigeria as a strategic partner.
“As we deepen our ties across multiple sectors, we look forward to even greater collaboration that benefits both nations,” he added.
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