₦airaland Forum

Gemini89:
Hello Everyone! Please does one with an American Passport but living in Nigeria have to do TB Test for tier4 visa. Because on their website Americans are exempt but I want to be sure if it includes Americans living in Nigeria and applying from Nigeria to go to the UK as a dependent.
Thank you.

Divine88:
As this is a new application and your first in this country. You will need to apply by post. Why? Because you will need a passport photograph and also someone to sign that they know you (a guarantor)
You can only apply online if you are renewing or upgrading to a full license.

Aare0506:
Hello guys, How do I get my provisional driving license here in the Uk? I've checked online and I saw two options... £34 if you apply online and £43 by post, please which one is suitable for a JJC like me?

mostthankful:
Thank you, sir.

I understand this to mean it's possible for the family to travel over together, relocating at the same time, if they file their documents in 'one hit'. Correct?

If I realize that the marriage certificate that we have might not be acceptable to the UK authorities, can I regularize it retrospectively at the registry, without raising any red flag?

Thanks again for your prompt response.

Oh and yes, I'm most thankful.

P.S: Responses from others are welcome, please.

DisGuy:
https://nairametrics.com/2021/03/09/fg-launches-e-temporary-passport-for-nigerians-abroad/

mukatic:
For those who have relocated abroad with their spouse, was it compulsory that your marriage certificate was from the Ikoyi Registry, Lagos?

Can I use the marriage certificate from any local government registry in Nigeria?

Thanks

Chukwuka16:
A need for cautious divestment from Nigeria – we are just behind Venezuela

Dear diasporeans,

One beautiful aspect of life is foresight, and while history may not always repeat itself, people and events will always do.

I will briefly this early morning set out my thoughts, and while this should never be considered a financial advice, I will admonish that you begin taking stock of how you would want to structure your financial relationship with the country called Nigeria.

It was Robert A Heinlein who famously said that “A generation which ignores history has no past — and no future.”

December last year, the CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) released a circular banning remittance of forex into the country with Naira as final deposit. This meant that diasporeans who usually utilised the international money transfer organisations (IMTOs) like Worldremit, Western Union, RadiantLife, MoneyFex, Transferwise (or is it wise now) and a host of others could no longer deposit Naira in Nigeria. All deposits were to be in dollars.

While this policy was very controversial considering the twin risks of insecurity and inconvenience it posed, I along with a few other Nigerians were cautiously excited. Our (now in hindsight) premature excitement bordered on the assumption that Naira was going to stabilise since the local economy was to be flooded with dollars.

Considering that the IMTOs were basically determining the exchange rate being used in depositing Naira, adopting dollar remittance was a way to reduce pressure on scare forex in the country and flood the market with dollars thus allowing importers and commercial banks access forex from alternative sources – we were wrong.

As is always the case with Nigeria and its mediocre leadership, ineptitude and poor policy implementation helped to destroy this initiative. First, the inability for CBN to float the Naira meant that bureau de change (BDC) operators continued to be the defacto choice for most people to change this forex. This had untold impact on most Nigerians who found it difficult funding/financing their aged parents or funding their personal Naira accounts or even sending small amounts of remittances back home. There were also reported cases of banks ripping off customers either by converting the dollars to Naira at the CBN’s official rate or charging exorbitant fees which were not supposed to be for end beneficiaries.

Beyond these cases was also the fact that Nigerians already burdened with eking out a living in Nigeria and contending with insecurity, terrorism, hunger and a failing economy now had to make out time to go to banks to collect dollars and start looking for places to convert these dollars to Naira – this was nothing short of stupidity and insensitivity from policy makers.

Considering that government officials in Nigeria are always immune from the happenings on the street, it was not uncommon to see the CBN governor pontificating about his nonsensical ideas at stimulating the economy and arresting the downward trend of the Naira.
While the CBN governor was busy attempting to subject Nigerians to suffering and unimaginable pains, the federal government was busy complementing poor monetary policies from the CBN with fiscal irresponsibility. With falling demand for crude oil and countries world over still in one form of lockdown or the other, Nigeria’s main forex earner was looking hopeless. Considering that government had repeatedly failed to diversify the economy from crude, the government had to adopt perverse deficit financing to meet its obligations. It is now on record that the CBN has printed over 10 Trillion Naira to finance government’s needs. This is not only illegal but also dangerous as this amounts to about $25 billion (representing 70% of our foreign reserve).

As the country grappled with the irresponsibility and ineptitude from both the CBN and the federal government, chaos was breeding all over the country. Fulani herdsmen began a rampage across Nigeria; kidnapping, destroying farmlands, killing innocent citizens and disrupting livelihoods of millions. From Niger state to Katsina to Sokoto to Zamfara to Oyo to Ogun to Edo to Imo to Enugu etc, it was continuous destruction and carnage.

While we argued and glossed over these happenings, they were unknowingly coalescing to form a catalyst of some sorts. Farmers began to abandon their farmlands, ladies who are the majority labour in food processing began to feel unsafe in rural farms and migrate city-wards. With depleting harvest and a growing population to feed, food prices skyrocketed by over 100%. Hunger increased in the land and suffering worsened. The advent of coronavirus only helped consolidate the continued sufferings of Nigerians and further enlarged the poverty band in the country.

Here comes the disruptor.

Earlier in January 2017, the CBN had released a circular warning banks about dealing with cryptocurrencies. Awareness was already building in Nigeria and various crypto platforms were emerging and offering Nigerians the ability to participate in this new invention. As is common in Nigeria, the CBN led by a mediocre and staffed fully with mediocres and nonentities was oblivious of the consolidation of the crypto market in Nigeria and its potential as a possible disruptor to its role.

While the CBN continued to manipulate the currency and frustrate Nigerians from easily accessing forex, young Nigerians (making up 65% of the country’s population) were building capacity in utilising and operationalising cryptocurrencies. Like wildfire, awareness began to increase, and people began to engage in trading. Of course, there were scams not a few but the CBN decided to be busy funding Dangote’s refinery and petrochemical plant and making forex available for their girlfriends and minions to go on pilgrimage to the holy cities.

When forex began crumbling from crude oil, the CBN all of a sudden realised that diasporean remittance was also significant. Considering that the CBN is a useless private entity which adds no value to Nigeria, she turned her attention to overseas remittance and continued in herself induced slumber and wanton spending spree without attempting to facilitate diversification.

As awareness about crypto began increasing in Nigeria, remittance through the CBN from overseas began dropping. Furthermore, BDC’s began seeing a drop in patronage from buyers as peer-to-peer (P2P) trading of fiat and crypto meant that banks, the CBN and BDCs could be avoided in transatlantic transactions. All of a sudden, Ade in Nigeria could link up with Shade in London, get Shade to pay his fees at Imperial College and credit Shade with Naira at an agreed exchange rate. This method faced challenges of fraud and was improved using the escrow-system (Kyshi.co types). On the crypto side, Ladi in Oyo State could load his Binance account with Naira (NGN), buy USDT, convert it to GBP and deposit in his UK bank account. In all of these transactions, Naira moved within Nigeria while forex moved within its local environment.

Besides Binance, other platforms sprang up offering Nigerians the opportunity to bypass the CBN and BDC in sourcing for forex to meet their various needs. At a time, NGN was always among the top 3 traded currencies on Binance. Hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions were being conducted weekly in Nigeria without CBN or BDC. Young Nigerians began investing in crypto, currency trading and online brokerage. Banks, the CBN and BDC became useless and handicapped.

Rather than adopt a proactive way of understanding how she could benefit from this innovation, the CBN thinking we were still in 1984 (apologies to George Orwell) brought a blanket ban on the crypto market in Nigeria in February 2021. Instructing commercial banks to close the accounts of crypto platforms and traders in Nigeria, the CBN was once again attempting to stop a burst dam with sandbags – she got drowned.

The ongoing consolidation of the crypto market in Nigeria was already established most especially with P2P, and while it was no longer possible to load my Naira directly into my Binance account, I could get around it by using Binance and others as an escrow. This technique meant that CBN’s policy was not only irrelevant but also desperate.

Here comes the shocker

You can thus imagine my shock and amazement when I stumbled across a circular from the CBN yesterday (March 6, 2021) offering Nigerians abroad 5 Naira for every dollar remitted back home. The CBN as the lender of last resort is now desperately attempting to clutch at forex at any cost – even hyperinflation. The CBN has now stooped so low that she is running promo with Naira – buy 1 to get 5 free!

Ladies and gentlemen, this here is all the reason you need to know that Nigeria is heading fast for Venezuela. All the signs are visible.

My takeout

Considering this latest gambit from the CBN, I now admonish every Nigerian abroad to take note daily of the following important stats:

1. Keep your eye on Nigeria’s foreign reserve. The day it drops below $30 billion, liquidate at least 50% of your income generating assets in Nigeria and convert to $. There is no doubt that Naira will continue its slide and to prevent losses, be prepared to act fast.

2. Invest only what you are willing to lose in Nigeria. As things stand now, the economy isn’t fragile – its broken and only a major reset can get things back again. Nigeria unfortunately needs to collapse to rebuild itself, she is rotten in and out.

3. Watch out for loan repayment defaults, appeal for loan repayment extension or refusal of major funders (IMF, China, WB etc.) to give Nigeria more loans. Do not be deceived by the antelope called finance minister talking about debt to GDP ratio. Fam, the moment you read that Nigeria is asking for extension on any loan repayment or that Nigeria is unable to secure more loans easily, please start liquidating important assets to $.

4. Keep an eye on news relating to concessions of national assets. When you start reading that private individuals like you and I can now start developing federal roads, then you know that your investments in Nigeria aren’t safe anymore.

5. Keep an eye on foreign policies especially towards Nigeria. Understand how the geopolitics within the Africa region is playing at and observe how Nigeria’s sovereignty and lead continues to get undermined. When you see an increase in tempo towards a reorganisation of the balance of power within the region, please be rest assured that Venezuela is just metres away.

I haven’t lost hope in Nigeria, I am just being woke. It is better to be safe than sorry and with these few words of mine, I hope I have been able to provide you with sufficient information to further support your decision-making process with regards to divesting from Nigeria.

ODAVI:
Do you mean UKVI? My visa has been canceled, I got a notification that already the day the program was defer..

LavishUK:
Please when is it advisable to make initial deposit for September 2021 batch?

lovesavvi:
Am currently in uk with my wife and we want to apply for our two kids, I just want to confirm which account can we put the maintenance fund for our kids, it is in d main applicant or dependant and also it is in our naija bank or uk bank?

jesudaughter:
This has been dealt with, why bringing it up again?
State your fears, our gurus here will answer to the best of their knowledge.

Your willingness to leave Nigeria is the motivating factor here, if you are not ready no amount will be good enough for you.

25k before tax is enough, though a stepping stone if you feel you deserve better.
You come in, stay like 3months to get settled before your family comes.

From my little experience,
$1000 can take care of a month rent plus bills
$400 for feeding @$100 weekly
$100 for a month transport
Balance of $400 or more
Above is for a small family in northern England
If you are flamboyant, like hushpupi kinda, am afraid it may not be enough.

Cheers

Aphrodite007:
Graduate jobs are 24k. A reputable company offered me 26k as a graduate staff. I have friends that earned 17k now they are on 35-44. My first job in the UK was 22k (3 years ago) but now, omo!

So no, 28k is a good salary when you’re starting. Let’s learn to be grateful and to build from small to big.

chrisj2:
Bringing biscuits to the UK? Why oh why? Like taking tea to China... Biscuits are two-a-penny here - not worth it at all...

And so much bread - I laugh in Ijebu... He he he

LagosismyHome:
Depending on where you are in your career..... 25k is small na. . I agree . However there are other factors that come into play. Ie Is there prospect for better and the 25k is just used as a stepping stone... location as well, this for London go hard but outside London then easier

chrisj2:
Why did you feel you have to say that £25000 starting salary is not enough? Do you know the average wage in the UK? Will you not be better off in Nigeria if you earn so much more currently?

Ask questions wisely!

Efound3:
my dear dont be discouraged!!!

1. ) Research the school. some schools Tuition are around £9000-11,000
I will advice u to follow the UK STUDENT TREAD ON NAIRALAND.COM for u to have more info on cheapest uni.

https://www.nairaland.com/6331164/uk-student-visa-tier-4

2.) Make sure you have at least 50% ( £5000 around N3m) of ur tuition and pay. Some uni ask for £1,000 -£3,000 deposit. but just make sure u have UK to 50% .

3) Put the tuition balance (that's the remaining 50% around N3m) in your account +plus ur MAINTENANCE fund ( (£9,135 about N4.5m =7.5m)

4) Print ur statement Statement at 28days and apply.

let me advice you... Search for Universities that have offices in Nigeria like:
SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
LEED BECKETT UNIVERSITY
SUNDERLAND UNIVERSITY

and so on. contact them, go to their seminar and ask any questions.
u dont need an agent if u re a smart type...

To ur question:
ofcourse you can pay your balance while working as student if u re not lazy.

I hope this message change ur destiny for good. welcome to UK darling.

Shallypop:
My passport has 6 months validity and I have a valid visa on it. Can I renew it b4 leaving Nigeria? I have not travelled to the UK with d visa but will like to renew it b4 travelling. Is it possible?

Iyanu6000:
Good Evening,

I was told i can apply to schools, pay part of the fees and work to pay for the balance.

How true is this? i am trying to apply for a masters...will i get a job that would be sufficient for me to pay for my fees and my upkeep?

Regards

Dharmzy370:
Verve/Master card? are you aware of the 100 dollar (or it's equivalent),maximum policy of CBN, for international transaction on naira card?

Aishat4jesus:
Please do you people know if I can covert naira to pounds in cash from any Nigerian banks. I am a first time traveler and I know I should hold a pta.. Personal travel allowance. I am scared of those abokis in Lagos market.. They should not go n give me fake pounds..

jesudaughter:
Oh ok! Thank you jare

I dey fear, now I can open it in peace.�

Dharmzy370:
I really appreciate the great minds on this forum. have been following this thread for a while now and the contribution have been really helpful. I need some clarification on

1. Does the UK government ask for home tie No
2. what can be qualified as home tie?

gabiomoesu:
Thank you so much for this elaborate response. I'm going to my mum's friend place, fortunately. So I guess I don't need much food stuff so I'll pack a few among your list. I have a dollar card with a substantial amount so I guess I got that part covered. Someone told me to get jackets, thick socks and gloves so I'll add that to my list as well.

And lest I forget, do you know if I'll be required to take another covid test in the UK upon my arrival?

marylandcakes:
You are welcome. I never said Nigeria was on the red list.

Zoe1234:
Hi everyone, I intend to apply for the master's program in Biomedical Sciences at the University of chester starting in October 2021. I will like to know more about the availability of student jobs there because I plan to cover part of my fees and living expenses with wages gotten from my part-time job. Also, I will appreciate information
on their payment plan because, I couldn't find much info on it on their website. I know I have to pay 3k first but I don't know how soon I will have to pay the remainder. Thanks.

dalemo:
Is dere a way to get a good and error free personal statement online or I should just prepare the statement myself and try to make sure is perfect before applying for admission

dalemo:
Hello gurus in d house...I've graduated since 2010 and I'm holding HND in civil engineering and I graduated with upper credit. I've been working in construction field for 9 yrs but no evidence to support it. How can I apply for a master degree since I don't have any evidence to prove the experience because I've been working as a building contractor on my own for more than 4 yrs since I left my boss i was working with. It's been 10yrs I left sch, can I apply for a master's program or I should go for a top up degree?Any advice on what to do and any advice on sch plz

hopefuliam:
Dear house
I tried accessing 25% my stanbic pensions (out of job for 4 monthd and in the uk) and i was informed i have to come physically to submit the form in Nigeria.
Please has anyone encountered this.