YouTuber who placed Nigerian students in UK on close watch lands self in trouble

Emdee Tiamiyu, a Nigerian-UK based YouTuber, has found himself in hot water after a controversial interview with the BBC sparked a response from UK authorities. Reports indicate that Tiamiyu’s remarks during the interview contributed to the UK government’s decision to tighten regulations on international students, particularly those from Nigeria.

According to online sources, Tiamiyu’s interview with the BBC prompted the UK government to enact measures preventing Nigerian students from bringing their families to the UK while pursuing a Master’s degree, with the exception of PhD students. Furthermore, Tiamiyu is said to be facing financial scrutiny from UK authorities.

The UK government announced on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, that Nigerian and other international students would no longer be allowed to travel with family members or dependents while pursuing a Master’s degree program.

This decision was reportedly influenced by concerns over potential visa system abuse and the misuse of educational opportunities as a means to gain entry into the country.

Under the new rules, set to take effect in January 2024, overseas students will also lose the ability to switch from the student visa route to employment routes before completing their studies. This move aims to prevent exploitation of the student visa system for immigration purposes.

In his interview with the BBC, Tiamiyu voiced support for the visa restrictions, asserting that many Nigerians use educational pursuits as a pretext for immigration rather than genuine academic aspirations.

Tiamiyu stated,

“So, the student thing is not real. It is not like they need the degrees. They need the degree as an access road to come into the country, so a lot of these people their priorities shifted real fast.”