₦airaland Forum

dannytoe:
So last last jumping from one country to another may not cut it for some people especially those who have invested alot in the UK already.
The best thing like someone has suggested before, is to consider investment in Nigeria and nurse the idea of a possible return back home in the future.

You make certain points with the rising right wing narrative. However, I've always found it quite troubling that whenever changes that'd disproportionately affect us are put forward, some would look to excuse it by looking for the worst elsewhere. The other day it was using Saudi Arabia as an example. It's like telling someone suffering abuse not to complain cos others may have it worse. Is that not the mentality that has left some parts of Nigeria in a sorry state?

What you have is a mash-up of what you cherrypicked as the worst of several nations including random media debate. What about the areas where those nations perform better than the UK? Or is it a competition for the worst?

If today, visa fees were raised to 10k, ILR to 20yrs and we're excluded from buying our homes, would you still say afterall, 'Saudi Arabia does abc'?

With migration, people take opportunities where they see fit. Travelling is education. Always worth remembering that when it comes to migrating, we as a group have hardly moved.

Raalsalghul:
At the bold is why I think it's not an intelligence issue. Even if you cannot create or invent, you can at least "copy" or "outsource".

Our value system as black people has kept us at the bottom of the ladder.

As you believe this, what are you doing to change it?

Goke7:
It's all fantasy, moreover they can't complete much in not only attracting but retaining such skills in comparison to their western peers due to wages which is what has never been addressed.

We thank God for economic mobility- e dey help.

Wage in the UK is a tricky one. While the UK has one of the highest minimum wage, median wage and pay for professionals (especially) lags its counterparts. Higher earners do quite some heavy lifting in taxes but get relatively less out of the system.

There are loads of very generous interventions- from 12.5k tax free allowance, to free healthcare, nursery support, good state pensions e.t.c. that are not roundly available in most countries.

NewT123:
This news touch me o! I hope they don’t do the 10 year wait. It’s already draining counting down to the 5year route. An additional 5 years could lead to more exploitation of workers, desperation and the feeling of being less wanted. Instead of encouraging integration with the community it will foster more separation. Many may not want to leave because of the uncertainty elsewhere. There will be more borrowing on the parts of immigrants leading to more struggles to pay the exorbitant visa fees. It now seems that seeking asylum may become a more faster route to settlement as once successful, you are granted a settled status ( not encouraged though). Well, it’s their country and their rules but if implemented, it is a clear breach of contract as this wasn’t what was promised before many embarked on the journey. Let’s watch as the story unfolds

'Integration': Another buzzword which actually means 'see yourself as inferior, forget your culture and say nothing'

5 more years would make it easier

Santa2:
Based on current trend it seems like Farage might be the next PM, as a smart politician that he is, he is already painting Starmer as flopper referencing his initial stand on immigration in 2020 as reference, except some miracle happens like how Trump gave the Liberals a new lease of life in Canada. While I detest all that reforms stands for, I would like for them to get into power as I believe they would flop and flonder. If the current whitepaper is implemented I believe the legal migration numbers would go down and at that point they (reform) would have to look for ways to attract people in to do the work citizens wouldn't do, that oxymoron would make for a good laugh. Most skilled people are already looking at Japa 2.0/3.0 even if it just for the sake of giving them middle finger . Its really annoying when you already 3 years in on skilled work visa, with 2 years to ILR in view then you realize the goal post might soon be shifted. No be their fault sha na Naija leaders cause am. Anyways for those looking at options, You might want to look into EB2 - NIW which gives US green card without need for Job offer, The requirement is not stringent as EB-1A only that it has longer waiting times than EB 1. Of the 6 criteria for EB2, you need to show at least 3 of the criteria. Make God help all of us. God no go shame us for this Oga Charlie Land.

Good points.

The conservatives or Reform despite all the mouthing would struggle to bring down migration numbers as much as Labour simply cos they'd not make some of the cuts Labour has.

Like I've always said, with Reform, I'd much rather they are in power than be the major opposition.

Gerrard59:
Nah!

They want to kpeme in the UK. They believe they know more than the natives and can cut themselves off from their dominant societies. Thank God na the so-called liberal party aka lovey-dovey party with its leader labelling migrants as strangers, rightfully so anyway. In Reddit/UKPolitics, there were a lot of comments which stated that there should be a cultural clause to it where Aussies, Americans, New Zealanders aren't affected as Bangladeshis and Indians. You see, humans are tribal.

With my experience in the abroad, it is a place where you gain knowledge, build contacts, save hard currency to build where you know you are wanted, where people look like you, eat the dishes you like etc. It must not be Nigeria as Nigeria is not the only Black dominated country. I thought the 2023 elections would have taught people lessons, mbanu! If the natives say they don't want you, as evident by the comments I read on the Financial Times, what are you going to do about it?

In this life, you should never force anyone to like or accommodate you. Get what you want and port out.

You do tend to lay undue emphasis on what random people think about you. Look around you- the world you live in is a story of migration. It would never change. You are a Nigerian today because someone migrated.

Even in Nigeria, same can be said. I was earning good working in northern Nigeria despite being of southern heritage. Should I have packed my load and went to the south cos many of my kinsmen had been killed in the north? Or is it the recent Lagos shenanigans?

No offence, but I find it difficult to believe you've left Nigeria- most of those comments you place undue emphasis on are made by people with less education than you and who would certainly not say that in the open -folks whose livelihood are partly funded by taxes of migrants. If I was worried about what 'natives' thought about me, I would be living in a hut in my village.

Goodenoch:
Personally I’m much much less interested in citizenship than in the ability to switch employers without having to deal with sponsorship issues. I came to the UK not because I was suffering in NG but because a lot of the biggest employers in my profession are here, and work visa limitations are a serious hurdle in accessing some of them. Also, business is a priority for me and the UK would be a great base for many reasons.

I have been very fortunate in the roles I’ve secured and have been able to make substantial progress still (about to be sponsored by the third organisation in less than 3 years) but I’m certain that if sponsorship was not an issue I’d be earning a lot more plus be able to start and run my own business without limitations, and the benefits of that freedom will only continue to compound over time. I don’t have any issues with paying the IHS or whatever - its an irritant but not a huge deal in the large scheme of things.

But having to limit what work/business I can do for 5 more years? Huge issue.

Well said. Economic mobility cant be understated

You can still run a business though limited to 20hrs. Depending on your field, if your invoice for job done is not based on hours put in, then the 20hr limit becomes a vague limit. When done properly, the benefits of being incorporated are good. I can't see myself returning to a fulltime PAYE job

emmaodet:
Bro sorry to ask but what is all these fuss about the extended residency permit issue? 5 years extra and so what? If you get your British residency in 5 years, most probably you would have stayed extra 5 years or more anyway from observation.
So why the worry?
Most guys I know who migrated to US, Canada and UK have all been staying there years after getting their passports, I hardly know anyone who came back home finally, so waiting for 10 years, working and paying your taxes looks no different to me.

5 extra years being shackled to a visa would restrict attainment for most. It means less economic mobility, i.e you're more beholden to your employers, less able to speak up or change jobs or move e.t.c. In addition, less government support e.g help with young kids, paying more for your mortgage e.t.c. what happens if after spending 9 years, someone loses their job? 5 years currently is barely doable.


I'd give a personal example. During covid, the government out of need lifted the 20hr extra work limit with other employers for health workers. This simple change meant I was able to restructure my work, set up a limited company and do over 60% of my work via my company. The increase in differential earning by that set-up was just abt 100k a year. What's better is that working via my ltd co was much more tax efficient. I was subsequently able to putdown a 25% deposit for a decent house, get a much better mortgage rate and hence pay less to the bank. All that would not have been possible in that time if that simple change was not made. Compound that benefit over several years and its a different picture.

Yo can also look at the visa fee which is one of the highest in the developed world- take the 5 year visa fee for a family of 5, stick it in a relevant ISA and let it compound at 9% over 20 years and see how much it is.

Another is the talk of 'high-skill' which has never made much sense. We know most higher paying roles are well regulated and not as interchangeable. I wonder where the UK being a developed but relatively lower-paying country expects to get all that skill from.
As an example- bring 100 neurosurgeons into the UK today, most would be jobless in a year and would be of no benefit to society despite being skilled professionals. If those 100 were builders however, they would quickly get working and contributing. A society needs those skills it lacks not some mythical high-skilled folks.

It's funny how western governments like to make a mountain out of migration which should be so easy to end. Even in the UK- stop PSW, stop the NHS from recruiting abroad and stop care visas - thats 90% gone. Ultimately, right from windrush boat arrivals, migration here has never been about want, its all about need.

It's interesting touching on all the comments about the proposed migration change.

My take on it is simple. It's appears to be a knee-jerk reaction by the current government.

They appear to be misreading what the public actually want. Quite often, people tend to misrepresent their frustrations. The fact is that for all said, main reason why people have lashed out are due to specific policy changes. Chief among them being the winter allowance removal. I have not met any older person who was not seething at that decision. We know how much sway this group has on politics.

There is lots of talk about migration, but for the most part, if people don't feel personally affected, they care less. It was quite clear inward migration would be much less under a Starmer government than the last. The main difference was supposed to be the posturing.

Oddly, it just seems that the current government (unlike the last) might be able to pull this through. Not because they want to, but because they gave themselves the financially leeway to do so e.g by reversing the proposed move by the last government to abolish NI, farmers inheritance tax changes, VAT on schools, winter fuel allowance changes, reviewing the benefit system and increasing fees that local students will pay. Most of those are the actual reasons for people's frustration not migration numbers which were already falling significantly.

Ultimately, such decisions tend to have unintended consequences. One thing that comes to mind would be how this change would significantly affect economic mobility and attainment by migrant groups. It has been estimated that this change is unlikely to significantly reduce the number of people that'd eventually get ILR. It just makes the process more tedious.

@dannytoe

I agree- the recent change seems to be a knee-jerk one. History has taught us they tend to have lots of unintended consequences.
Asides my worry for those that'd be affected, I'm not losing sleep over it.

2mch:
Soo dull. How about you also put the cost of their living expenses. You are comparing yourself to them. Do you spend in pounds? Why should they be paid in naira or equivalent to their peers in naira when they live in a more expensive society?

So why do our politicians earn more that even the prime minister of UK?

Tolu2024:
Ungrateful people
Don’t think if everyone run to USA, Canada or uk the pay will remain the same?
The citizens of those countries are going to other countries that pay better because blacks are ruining their job.

And you think those countries don't have blacks as citizens?
You have a small mind.

They wouldn't compare their pay to what politicians from developed countries receive but if its workers, you start hearing excuses like differential cost of training, cost of living e.t.c

Goke7:
The beggar doesn’t have a choice and uk sorry to say it’s the beggar here. At all at all na im bad

Hehe.. UK via KS did a good job of showcasing British diplomacy- warming up to Trump as expected.

Not come across any solid description of what the deal entails.
I must say though that the way these deals are publicised, it hardly breeds trust with each nation trying to show they have undercut the other. Deals these days should be beneficial to both parties.

lavida001:
Are the beef chlorinated if yes we should all get ready for obesity pandemic

They chlorinate chicken to make them healthy for consumption considering the way they are raised.

Apparently, the way they are grown is in more of a factory-like fashion than a farm. Sitting in the poo most times and killed once due all to reduce costs and boost profits. Chlorination is to kill of certain bugs.
Don't forget most countries chlorinate drinking water so it's not new. Main reason its banned is cos of animal welfare. Reason why Farage didn't seem fussed about it- asking in what manner poultry imported from asian countries are raised.

Obviously, the term 'chlorinated chicken' would make many uncomfortable as we associate chlorine to bleach, chemicals e.t.c but it's not necessarily unsafe for consumption

lavida001:
I believe this happens every summer when most permanent staff go on holidays. Let’s see how things unfold. Time go tell

🤞🏾

Trump no dey hear word.
Is he just mouthing or was this really the 'deal'

Universities have relied on international students paying lucrative fees to make up for deficits from teaching UK students, whose tuition fees have been eroded by inflation. But recent immigration and visa changes have provoked a sharp fall in international recruitment since 2023, with the government expected to tighten restrictions further.


These articles have become a recurring theme. Still wonder where the low point would be. They always reminds me of previous discussions here where fees by international students were deemed negligible- 'less than 1%' some said.

dannytoe:
Why the government plans further cuts to net migration. The social care sector is already feeling the heat.

Meanwhile due to previous history of visa abuse, some foreign Nationals are about to get banned from getting a visa to come to the Uk .

Spaces in the care sector are already opening though there is still relative glut.

Agencies that used to offer escalated rates plus mileage/transport but stopped when alot of entrants arrived are now beginning to improve pay as shifts are gradually becoming more difficult to fill.

Goodenoch:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/may/07/dont-mention-the-local-elections-keir-and-kemi-sign-non-aggression-pact-at-pmqs

Hehe... 'cupboarder' and 'cupboardee' foming a pact.... Interesting times.

Fairly early days but KS should fastrack his plans and try to deliver on houses.

Its all exposes the dilema politicians over the last 20yrs have faced- everyone complains about the state of public sevices but when the try to raise money via taxing certain segments, reducing fraud or bringing in good minds to help grow the economy, they get a backlash. People want to have their cake and eat it.

Its for this sole reason and good checks in place that I don't mind NF at the helm - would be better than him being the main opposition.

bigtt76:
Hahaha. ...no mind am. Her first election she lost woefully, instead of doing a retrospect to identify the issue and work towards rectifying it (what she was voted in to do) she de try gaslight her party people. They just sweep her away dem don begin cook for am https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/kemi-badenoch-conservative-leader-tories-b2745085.html

Interesting read. It seems her colleagues are cooking a pot of soup for her. Reminds me of what we say about a community cooking for one person. Wouldn't be surprised she finds a way to hang on, drag it out and destroy their chances further.

One thing I've noticed is that she is no more talking about Nigeria. The two blokes are keeping her busy.

Goke7:
It’s typical human behaviour- Scarcity mentality and when you think those you imagine to be a higher stock than are supposedly doing better or at par with you.

As a Christian one parable or story in the bible comes to mind about a master who employed servants to work for him, he went out in the morning and got some workers, later in the afternoon and evening he went out again and got more workers, meanwhile he agreed with them their wages and paid them but when the earlier workers discovered that everyone irrespective of their arrival got same wages, they went to grumble to the master about perceived injustice 😂. The master simply reminded them about their agreement. Na so life be o, bad belle dem, so it’s nothing new.

Hehe... not heard of this parable. Had to look it up.

It's comical truth be said especially when we know their progenitors faced far worse than what migrants today face and their relatively lower attainment can be manytimes traced back to constrained opportunities that were afforded their parents. KS put it well when he termed them defenders of western civilisation.


Reminds me of someone I encountered on the Nigerians in Canada thread who was singing praises of how British migrants built canada all in a bid to gatekeep 'third worlders' (his words) he thought were 'spoiling his promised land'. Had to remind him that the new group of British arrivals looks a bit different from their earlier compatriots.

Good one from the hospital for taking this to court

Diplomacy2020:
It seems we still don't get the business side of real estate in the UK. Overpaying your mortgage could necessarily not be the smartest move, infact, real estate wealth was not created by paying off your mortgage rather it comes from the increase in value of the property. As the value of your property increases, the size of your loan decreases.
That is why location is the utmost priority in real estate deals. Don't just buy a house cos of its proximity to your workplace or school. There are various websites that project property values(both sales and lettings) within your localities. I used one of them when I was buying. I will look for it when I'm free.
In a nutshell, I would rather save that overpayment along with my equity and reinvest in another property or other profitable business.

Good submission. Inflation erodes debt while capital gains does the heavy lifting

It's difficult to quantify the peace of mind that comes with a paid off mortgage though or one well paid down as we advance towards retirement.

For investment purcahses, even a conservative person can adopt a purely business based approach.

Senseless reporting. What is 'compassion'.
Increasing staff pay moreso when it's not even in line with inflation is not compassion. It should be expected

Kudos to them but we should remember the money they get is peanuts compared to countries that process cocoa into chocolate e.t.c.

If I remember correctly, just about 5% or so of the value chain is in countries that grow the beans.

The govt, farmers and investors should pivot from just growing to sell to adding more value i.e processing cocoa into finished goods for both local consumption and export.

Kudos to the EFCC for looking to stamp out this worrisome habit. If those spraying money have so much, they should give it to the poor

Prophetess.. is she seeing the future?

Zahra29:
LOL @ "your people". Your comments do make me laugh sometimes😂

It's a mystery what you're upset about this time
Are you aggrieved that Kemi and other so called "anchor babies" obtained citizenship by virtue of their birth? Ndo....why don't you write to Reform and ask Nigel to investigate whether Kemi's mother paid the full hospital fees for her birth? If she didn't, it means that she wrongfully used public funds and I'm sure Farage and co would eagerly make a case for her citizenship to be revoked? I hope this would help to appease you?

Focus- there is no anger here. No need looking for a deviation.

Like I've always said, the story of our world is one of migration. I do not see myself as being more British than Kemi or similar arrivals cos while I paid over £150k in taxes e.t.c, demonstrated good service and behaviour to gain my stay, her parents snuck her in before a deadline was due. They saw an opportunity and took it which I'd commend them for. Same applies across board.

The crux of the matter here is how children grow up to forget their stories. If my son decides to settle in Britain tomorrow, I don't expect him to see himself as being of higher stock than those he'd encounter to the extent of calling them bottom wipers just because his parents arrived early.

Lexusgs430:
She was on a visiting visa, that was always getting renewed........

But there's a 6 month limit in each calendar year for most visit visas. Except the person keeps alternating every 6 months between 9ja and the UK

I have heard of those who'd process a visit visa for someone and then pay them in naira - usually turns out cheaper than childcare/nursery even for 6 months. It's a tricky one as many recipients may be better off but it's still a breach of visit visa rules.

Some seem to have an arrangement where the person overstays their visa and returns when dem don 'chop belleful'. It's all muddy and convoluted.

Of late Canada introduced a home child care immigration pilot. However, they had to close it off as applications reached the annual limit in a day.

Goke7:
😂 Where Canada changed course our people here as usual still stuck to their ways fantasising about an ideology that has contracted the gdp of the US. They should continue las las everybody go chop same breakfast

Hehe... Canada was quite interesting. It appeared the conservative party there was too aligned to Trump, riding his wave and then struggled to find their foot when he went rogue. UK is different in the sense that Trump is not liked but the populace still leans right.

There are things that aren't worth worrying over. Just like with PMB, you can't convince certain cohorts.

If folks want something radical, let them have it. Afterall, if the economy becomes better, we'd all be beneficiaries.

wallg123:
There are more Filipinos and Indian house helps/ house keepers in the UK but we don't see them making headlines. They work for some of the wealthiest people/ families. example footballers, politicians and diplomats. There are registered agencies that would provide you house help within and outside the UK. Make use of them to avoid story that touch. Or take your children to childminders. Life is simple but people just complicate it for the sake of saving few £

Why didn't she seek a registered homehelp who has clearly defined duties, pay, e.t.c? Truth be said, such laws are the bedrock of a fairer society

Its not just an African issue. Even Indians are not left out. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3ggl6pe52eo