Japa Numbers in 2024: Nigerian Migration to UK Remains Strong Despite Sharp Decline in Overall Net Inflows

 

Approximately 52,000 Nigerians moved to the United Kingdom in the year ending December 2024, defying a broader trend of falling migration figures. New data released by the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirms that Nigeria was among the leading contributors to non-EU+ immigration, maintaining a strong presence in the UK’s long-term migration landscape.

Despite an almost 50% drop in the UK’s overall net migration compared to the previous year, Nigerians continued to arrive in substantial numbers, primarily through work and study routes. The ONS figures show that 27,000 Nigerian nationals arrived on work-related visas, while another 22,000 entered the country to pursue educational opportunities. The remaining 3,000 arrived under other immigration categories.

This trend places Nigeria firmly alongside India, Pakistan, and China—countries that consistently rank among the top five non-EU+ sources of long-term immigrants to the UK. Notably, the new data reveals that immigration from India was the highest among non-EU+ countries during this period. The migration balance for Indian, Pakistani, and Nigerian nationals was particularly even between those arriving for work and study, highlighting the dual appeal of the UK’s job market and educational system to these demographics.

For Chinese nationals, study remained the dominant pathway, with 53,000 arriving for educational purposes compared to only 5,000 for work. These figures underscore shifting patterns in global mobility and suggest a recalibration of migration motivations among non-EU+ nationals.

Demographically, the data also indicates a relatively even gender split among new non-EU+ arrivals, with males making up 52% and females 48%. A significant majority—83%—of these migrants were of working age (16 to 64 years), reflecting the UK’s continued pull as a destination for economically active individuals. Children under the age of 16 accounted for 16% of the arrivals, while only 1% were aged 65 and above.

The backdrop to this continued influx from countries like Nigeria is a sharp decline in the UK's overall net migration numbers. Long-term net migration fell to an estimated 431,000 in the year ending December 2024, down from 860,000 the previous year. This substantial reduction is primarily attributed to fewer arrivals on work and study visas, especially among non-EU+ nationals, as well as an uptick in the number of people leaving the UK.

ONS analysts point to the easing of post-pandemic travel restrictions as a key factor driving increased emigration, particularly among international students who have completed their studies and are returning home or moving elsewhere.

While the overall numbers show a steep decline, the continued strength of Nigerian migration highlights a broader dynamic: even as immigration policies tighten and global mobility patterns shift, the UK remains a prime destination for Africans seeking career and educational advancement.

As the government continues to recalibrate its immigration approach, the persistence of high migration numbers from countries like Nigeria signals that the allure of British opportunities remains strong, even in a cooling migration climate.