…By Jack Sylva for TDPel Media. UK-based Nigerian vlogger, Emdee Tiamiyu, has responded to criticism after being accused of betraying Nigerians to the UK.
Tiamiyu, who hails from Osun state and runs a YouTube channel, found himself at the center of controversy when he appeared in an interview with the BBC.
The interview took place following the UK’s Home Secretary’s announcement of a ban on Nigerians and other international students bringing their family members to the country while pursuing a Master’s degree.
During the interview, Tiamiyu suggested that many Nigerians were using the student route as a means to gain entry into the UK.
As a fellow migrant in the UK, Tiamiyu insinuated that Nigerians were not being entirely truthful about their motivations for studying in the country.
However, during a subsequent interview with Daddy Freeze, after his BBC interview had gone viral, Tiamiyu defended himself by stating that being genuine often leads to offending others.
He acknowledged the need to strike a balance between being real and being diplomatic.
UK Implements New Law Restricting Dependents of Foreign Students
In related news, starting from January 2024, Nigeria and other foreign students studying in the United Kingdom will no longer be able to bring their family members to the country as dependents, unless under specific circumstances.
The UK government has introduced a new law aimed at reducing immigration numbers, which currently stand at around one million.
Under the new rule, international students will no longer have the option to switch from the student route to work routes before completing their studies, in order to prevent misuse of the visa system.
This change seeks to tighten immigration regulations and ensure that international students focus on their studies without the added responsibility of supporting family members in the UK.
The UK’s decision to restrict dependents for foreign students has significant implications for Nigerian students and their families, prompting debates and discussions surrounding the impact of these new regulations on future educational opportunities and family dynamics.