₦airaland Forum

Lexusgs430:
Such a proud Dad..... All road leads to Portsmouth for my Daughter's graduation this month......

She graduated with First class Honours (surely from her mother's DNA).... 🤣😊

Her Papa's DNA, nah olodo full inside...... 😂🤣

Congrats Papi

Ugmama:
Should I notify my mortgage broker as well about it? Or just conveyacer

Yes. I would tell both. Cos that is what i did and that is why when they get your mortgage deed you will notice that the period will be extended mine is 6 months which is way above the build date and LISA timing.

Ugmama:
I am exactly in this situation. How did you do it bro? What did you do?

From what we found, there is no grace period or waiver for using the LISA before the 12-month mark. If you withdraw it early, even for a house purchase, the 25% withdrawal charge can apply.

What we did was keep the purchase moving while making everyone aware of the LISA timing from the start. We told the mortgage broker and solicitor that the LISA could only be used after the 12-month period. The first LISA payment was made in a certain month , so we made sure the solicitor understood that the LISA funds should not be requested before that date.

The way to navigate it is:

Make the offer/reservation now if the seller is happy.
tell the solicitor clearly about the LISA maturity date;
do not exchange contracts unless the deposit and LISA timing are clear;
ask the solicitor not to exchange without your written authority;
Make sure your mortgage offer will still be valid by the expected completion date.

Also try to keep some funds outside of your LISA in case the solicitor asks for money.

In our case, it helped because it was a new-build property, so completion was not immediate. The build completion window fitted better with the LISA maturity date.

So yes, you can start the buying process before the LISA reaches 12 months, but you need to be careful that the actual use of the LISA funds happens only when it is eligible. The biggest risk is exchanging too early without knowing how the deposit will be handled.

My advice is: be upfront with your solicitor and broker, get the LISA date confirmed in writing, and do not let anyone rush you into exchange until the money position is fully clear.

justwise:
I disagree with on this, i do not agree her in certain issues regarding immigration policies by current and previous government but calling her dangerous is well over the top. We need a balance view in this thread and Zahra29 contributions is essential.

I know that she does come across as the female version of Alastair Campbell during Tony Blair time but she does it in a meaningful way.

When you say meaningful way what do you mean by this as He/She is always sounding condescending and seem to have that disdain for immigrant and i still cannot fathom how he/she pretends to be nice in the visa section of the uk thread. I have never read her say anything positive about immigrants in the uk. It always negative stuff and thereby sounding like He/she does not want Nigerians presence in the ukay...No wonder some folks aint holding back.

According to Bloomberg: The UK is weighing a new visa that would give three years of residency to wealthy individuals investing at least £5 million ($6.7 million) in the country

jedisco:
Saw the Falklands headline and though I haven't read thru, it'd sure be an interesting narrative for Trump to push - one that'd sure anger the British
Another shooting it seems. This Trumps presidency is a daily opera

That shooting feels and looks so so staged....Who says we cannot get on with the controversial ballroom project

Zahra29:
Prakash, the Indian-born Reform leader in Harrow, explains their reasoning 😋

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/23/british-indians-nigel-farage-reform-uk-harrow-local-elections

Its just a pity that we do not learn from history

Zahra29:
Prakash, the Indian-born Reform leader in Harrow, explains their reasoning 😋

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/23/british-indians-nigel-farage-reform-uk-harrow-local-elections

I just pray Reform wins so we will have another case of " Me no black " that President Trump cleared using ICE

Thanks Both @Lexusgs430 and @Goodenoch

Please I need advice from our UK residents who have navigated the Lifetime ISA (LISA) property journey.

There is a situation where someone has funds in a LISA, but the account will only hit the mandatory 1-year maturity mark in August. However, this person just found a house this April that they really love, and they want to make an offer now so they don't lose it.

My questions are:

Is it possible to access LISA funds before the 1-year mark without facing the heavy 25% early withdrawal penalty?

Is there any grace period or waiver if the withdrawal is strictly for a first-time house purchase?

If the penalty is unavoidable, how can one navigate this buying process? Can you secure the house now in April, but delay the financial aspect until August when the LISA matures?

Any tips on how to handle the seller, estate agents, or conveyancing solicitors without losing the property would be highly appreciated.

Raalsalghul:
Wasted vote shebi?

We will see.

According to @Lexusgs430 Green and Reform might just replace both the torries and labour interesting days ahead....

Goodenoch:
Lol, no. You need to re-read what I have said.

Nowhere have I said that any country should grant access to China or whatever.

My focus is where you said "African and Caribbean countries are too complacent and short-sighted to realise this..."
The point is that making China out to be exceptionally devious in their spying or a threat to African countries in a way that US/UK etc are not, is absurd. China poses no more of a threat and is no more destructive in its spying, lending, manufacturing, subsidies etc. than the West.

Just to be clear so it's easy to follow: the point isn't that China is a benevolent entity as you've mischaracterized (as usual for you). It's that it's no more malevolent than the West.

PS. I don't think you actually opened the articles I linked to. If you had, you'd have seen that they weren't about the Five Eyes. They were all separate instances of the US spying on its own allies; sorry, vassals, including the UK. Here again, the point stands that China isn't any doing anything the US, UK etc aren't doing.

GBAM

KOVIC19COVID20:
Hello Country People,
Does any one has any experience with Prison Officer Applications?

I see lots, and lots of Prison Officer Vacancies and wonder if some within our community have any experience with the job and application and visa granting or not?
Thank you very much

Furthermore there is an alternate visa that says that if you been on a skilled worker visa for 2 to 3 years you can migrate to being a prison officer and the visa counts will continue. Finger crossed as we await the outcome for someone i know that is in this process

At the moment they are not granting visa's although its something they are actively looking at.
Crucially, an alternate visa route exists that allows those with 2 to 3 years on a Skilled Worker visa to migrate to a Prison Officer position, ensuring their visa continuity is preserved. I remain hopeful about the outcome for my acquaintance currently undergoing this process.

Santa2:
Apologies if this turns out to be a long post. This Nairaland is like a market place. You come and buy (and sometimes sell) the goods you want and use it to cook a delicious meal or dump it in the trash. I have always know always believed that two truths can exist. There will always supposed 'high fliers' and there would always be those that stick with the norm. I personally believe that both are necessary for a healthy community. One just has to choose where one falls under and in that process not look down on the next man because you think he is not striving to be better himself. Its ok if the next man to stay 15 years for ILR if that gives him peace, While it might might not be ok for me, I need to respect the next man's choice because we are not fighting the same battles. What prompted this post the issue where someone said @jedisco was boasting about his achievement. I actually think the opposite is the case. I don't think we showcase enough the path of a successful immigrant so other can get inspiration. I have learnt a lot from Nairaland and still keep learning, Over 14 years ago nairaland was were I ran to when I want have our kid in the US and thankfully it provided me the information I needed and the community, When it was time to build our house back then in nigeria, the housing/building thread was a valuable resource, In 2020 when I decided it was time for my masters study in the UK, Nairaland was the best resource.

I came in as student, Nairaland thread was were I went to for settling down tips, housing, banks accounts, building credit profile etc. I came in at the height of covid when we had to quarantine when we arrive. I got all I tips I needed. While I was a student I did part time carework, I was able to save almost £4000 living frugally, my spouse and kids joined me several month later and she got a very good job here (as she had extensive experience). while the company said they wouldn't sponsor, six month down the line as our visa was expiring they did sponsor her. I got a job after study with a subsidiary of the NHS that offered full remote work and didn't pay as much as I would have liked. I initially gave myself six month to stay in that job but I slowly settled into that job and started to see my self as not being able to earn more that that. I applied to other jobs but didn't get much traction. Through that period my wife and I applied for a mortgage got approved and bought a new build 4 bedroom terrace house and thanks to guidance from the nairaland mortgage thread (thanks to rent money is dead money who some fought against). When the mortgage payment hit I slowly realised that I would need to double my hustle. Enter in Nairaland again, I had already identified an area I wanted to pivot into but wasn't doing as mush action as I would have liked. Then I stumbled on a comment from @copershun ( I hope I got her handle right) on recruiters reaching out to her for roles 70k to 80k, I contacted her and found out that it was the same Data Management/Quality I was play around with that she was referring to. I got serious and did the work, and a few month later started a managerial role in this area. Almost a year into the role I have already identified the next niche I want to play in . Someone might say I am here bragging or what's not but I just hope it inspires some to take step and action and build the type of life you want for yourself. I still am on a journey of self discovery, @chukwuma's post on entrepreneurship has also sparked another fire that I am looking to explore in the next year. Once I again I state that Nairaland is a marketplace, You come here and choose the ingredients you want, and the type of soup you want to use it to cook. Selah

This is an excellent post and exactly what this thread is meant to achieve: helping us improve and get better here. Everything learned so far has been from Nairaland, and it helps to stay with threads that are relevant to personal circumstances and the examples already shared.

That is why it is important for the moderators to keep the thread focused, and for everyone to stick to its original purpose. The thread is truly inspirational, and the key is to keep looking ahead and making the most of every opportunity in whatever country we find ourselves.

Those who are already well established here are encouraged to keep sharing their experiences and guidance. It is very powerful and motivating.

lavida001:
Let’s get this straight being a net contributor doesn’t put you above anyone ok, everyone contributes to the pot in different ways. So get off the high horse and touch some grass.

Not everyone measures their life in houses bought or cars offered, and not everyone feels the need to parade their gains publicly like you constantly attempt to force it down our throats. You talk like people should be wowed about your gain. Talk about I bought a house. Oh I was offered 300k car as I arrived. Guess what most don’t care.

If that Dr Pepple guy was not dragged , he might probably be on x bragging about buying a house two weeks after landing in the CA . That ‘I’m better than the next neighbour mindset is exactly why some people look down on care workers, call others riff raff, or shame their career. Owing to them arriving when things were easier or had better information beforehand.

Keep the petite bourgeois performance to your family and your inner circle. And no carry am enter CA. I trust those ones dem go drag you. Your target audience isn’t here.

I will continue to say if you like bag phd, surgeon the western world will continuously see you from a reflection of your home country/ skin. Until we develop our ancestral home only then we can be free. ILR oo citizenship oo, West Indian ooo push comes to shove they will summarise us all in one shopping cart. And you need to get that global citizen ideology out your head there is nothing like that and we all know where we came from.

If you still don’t understand what I mean by you will be exposed then google “petite bourgeoisie” it perfectly describes you.

I really do not know why the moderator is allowing this to go for too long. why is this dude always derailing this thread and also @lavida001 has just violated Rule 2 of the guidelines here :

Rule 2: Deliberate insults, bullying, and provocation directed at a specific member (e.g., mocking their achievements, attitude, and mindset with phrases like "get off the high horse and touch some grass," "force it down our throats," and labelling them "petite bourgeoisie".

So the moderator can continue to let this keep going on.....cos i don't understand how this write up helps Nigerian in the uk

Zahra29:
10 years is being proposed as the baseline qualifying period for ILR if certain basic conditions are met.

If these conditions are not met = ILR could take longer than 10 years, or might never be achieved.

If additional conditions are met which demonstrate significant contribution e.g. high salary, specialist skills, considerable community impact etc (earned settlement) = ILR could take less than 10 years

From a citizens perspective this makes a lotta sense but the isshhh is that they are other major issh facing the country.

lavida001:
Who have I told not to air their thoughts here ? This is the other way around because I’m the one advocating better Nigeria and Africa and people kept saying they don’t want to hear it. You are trully out for me to the extent you went back dug out my posts. Mr Willy Willy This is a comprehension problem from your end. For the last time let’s not derail the room. But bare in mind I will never kowtow.

I yield

I don't care i detest bullies...I cannot stand them and that is what you are...Do not gauge people with their decision making...Do not try to bully them into thinking they need to be grateful for looking for a greener pasture and do not try to make folks have a slave mentality...So whether you say comprehension or no comprehension na you sabi..You go at anybody for their choice here i will go after you...

lavida001:
It’s not slave mentality anymore but Gaslighting folks .OK Mr Willy you’ve made your point. Let’s not derail the room. You can go to bed now. Night night

Whatever you want to call it na you sa bi...Leave people to their choice

Your last 2 month posts has a lot on your mentality :
1. These are the issues they hate to hear or want a better a better a Nigeria/ Africa- 9:02pm On Jul 21
2. Youna go fix that country by force she - 10:13am On Jul 21
3. Even sending them home isn’t easy. There must be valid reason.
I laugh at all them those I’m doing it for my kids that’s why I japa 🤣-2:41pm On Jul 19
4. Youna dey see why I say make we fix Africa bah.

Time go tell -7:29pm On Jul 01
5. You no take the visa dem give you?

I will not engage you further.

Time go tell - 6:40pm On Jun 24
6. Where have I said I feel inferior?

Strawman argument + gaslighting.

You will be fine as you head to Canada. And maybe next will be USA and if it don’t suite you japa to AU.

At the end of the day you go still go back home - 5:24am On Jun 24
7. They hate to hear this but this evidence is clear.

Africans choose to live in denial rather than confront the truth in front of us. Length and breadth of Africa not a single country to look up to in development/ real change - 3:32am On Jun 22
8. Really Has slavery truly ended?

I’m glad I can spark your brain to think critically. That consciousness about your root you must learn it by force -9:03am On Jun 19
9. You no fit complain for your country na another man country you wan complain abi.
You lot think Europe is built on being peaceful. These people fought ww1 and 2 where they kill each other( same skin colour for that matter ) in the millions and it’s still going on till this day in Ukraine and Russia.
The earlier you know your place the better. If you are not happy right to your MP and I’d like to see what that will get you. They are the majority and they will always have their way. If I see that what’s going on is not what I want I go back home. simple… the country don even tire me - 2:12am On Jun 18
10. Yes it is… if them come out in mass go and debate with them that it is your country. Some of una need to learn that just because the system make it possible for you to come and enjoy the spoils of democracy doesn’t make it a right rather it’s a privilege - 1:46am On Jun 18
11. Their country their choice. Fix Africa only then you can be truly free - 12:56am On Jun 17
12. It’s funny how some of us come to this country and want to tell them how to rule their country try. Something we can’t demand in our country.
Better just take what they give you. Don’t forget you said you came here because of your kids future - 12:31am On Jun 09
13. Youna go build that Africa by fire by force - 1:49pm On May 12

lavida001:
Ok Mr intellectual and slave mentality syndrome let’s not derail the thread and allow your so called intellectuals talk while we just read and consume their thoughts without contributing.

As for me I’m a one man army and not here for anyone’s validation and I will continue to give my submissions. It’s a free country init

Nobody is commenting on your take but you trying to gas light folks into believing what you want them to believe is what i am standing against...As i have said i am watching out for your systematic bullying cos that is what it is....Your comment had no point in the above discussion.....One man army my foot

lavida001:
If you don’t write allow those that wants to write do so.
What you prefer is different from what others prefer.
You get my drift? And next time show manners when typing ok. I know you want to score cheap points but don’t be rude when doing so. The person I replied understood my point. And what are you exactly asking admin to caution me about ? Is it that you don’t want me to speak or you don’t like what I say.

I don't live for Nairaland and am sure if you look at the time i signup with Nairaland it should tell you i dont trip for likes...I have always observed your stand on this thread and as i said i am out for you anytime anyday on this thread. People are free with their stand on where they want to be and how they want to feel like without you having to induce their decision with your slave mentality syndrome....

lavida001:
Mr intellectual Firstly, Where did I nation shame anyone. Secondly you are entitled to your opinion and I can give my opinion and it’s up to you to digest it however you want. I try to keep it civil but you Telling me to shut up speaks of how you are more morally bankrupt and mannerless.

That is because you are like to Nation shame folks...You are always doing this. I wonder why for the often time the mods are not cautioning you on this. Yet again i draw you to the title of this thread. There were discussing the political position in the uk and boom your point was to derail the thread with "What happens to your we are world citizens. Oh now you know they have their own people".
Like from where to where....Make it make sense ......I hardly write but always prefer to read interesting conversations that bothers Nigerians in the uk. Leave people with their decisions and hug your slavery mentality in your closet alone.

lavida001:
What happens to your we are world citizens. Oh now you know they have their own people.

If you are intellectually bankrupt to add anything meaningful to the discussion above don't you think you shut up and let the thread flow rather than Nation shamming folks here. Are you not enjoying the intellectual conversation above from these people : Justwise, Zahra29, Goke7, Jamesclooney and Cyberknight

Goke7:
In addition some Nigerians too both in the diaspora and at home are also part of the bigger problem always insisting that whatever she says is the truth because of how bad they also feel about the country and for as long as she has that audience and attention she will continue to say whatever no matter how hurtful it may be. Both she and that audience don’t really care about what damage it does to us as a people. And it’s good so we can easily identify, ignore or avoid them too.

Rishi Sunak was the head boy at Winchester.

He's more comfortable in his skin, because he's interacted with the upper class who dominate the Tory Party all his life.

In contrast, if you grew up in Lagos and attended FGGC Shagamu and ISIL, you'd never quite feel you "belong".

descarado:
You seem quite happy about that.

That is how we roll

lavida001:
But why this better Nigeria dey usually trigger una. You have never commented on any post on here but post about better naija you write epistle. You go dey alright las las abi no be so?

Am not Una...I do not need to comment on post here i come here to learn how to survive in the uk of which that is what this thread is for. I have noticed that whenever there is a dig at immigrant you come here with your hypocritical Nationshaming dig at Nigerians ''to make Nigeria a better place''. I will speak for myself when i say whatever happens to Nigeria is Nigeria's business but you Nationshaming people here would be called out...If you do not see anything wrong in that Kemi's statement then its best you keep quiet and let those that are helping in the thread continue to do so...I am really out for you cos you have been doing this a lot and i am very surprised that the mods have not tamed this nationshaming attitude of yours.

lavida001:
These are the issues they hate to hear or want a better a better a Nigeria/ Africa 🤣

I don't want a better Nigeria. I no send the country...Know that and Know peac...Yet again the use of this thread is simoply for immigrant in the uk...You want a better Nigeria go to the politics section for that

Jamesclooney:
I take your point, bros. To be honest, that’s always been my view until recently. I mean, I’ve japa’d twice, FGS, so it’s clear something is chasing us from Naija.

That said, I’ve been very worried about the rightward shift in the West—UK, USA etc. (thank God Canada was spared).
In our case, specifically the UK. The right is getting more emboldened and clearly influencing the government of the day, even before being voted into power.

My pragmatic, realistic mind—which tends to see the world as it is, not how I wish it to be—can clearly see the pathway to citizenship getting tougher. Obviously the 5- to 10-year extensions but add to that the current economic trends and the impact of AI, and all we can do is hope we keep our jobs and avoid mass layoffs.

So where does that leave the average immigrant who hasn’t yet secured citizenship? At risk of falling out of status. And if the worst happens, they may have to self-deport just to avoid living as an undocumented immigrant. If that happens, what are the options? Move to yet another hostile foreign country—or return home to Naija? I know which one I’d choose.

So, while it would be nice to forget Naija and its issues, for some, it may end up being the only contingency plan—thanks to right-wingers taking over nearly every country a Nigerian migrant might want to japa to.

It is well.

Fair points on the right-wing shift,@Jamesclooney. Nobody's denying things are getting proper sticky here. But that's exactly why this space needs to stay laser-focused on UK survival tactics, not Nigeria contingency plans.

You're right the visas are getting tighter, jobs are shaky, and the political mood's cold. But swapping one anxiety (UK uncertainty) for another (Nigeria's Hell fire) solves nothing. I kept shouting up Nepa through out my childhood. I watched as my chidlren did same and i promised myself this most end with a generation. Till date has this been solved No.

There is no functional safety net back home. If my status falls through, grinding illegally or moving to Ireland/Canada beats Lagos any day. At least here I know how the system can work.

Bonus Point : Some of the people that tried correcting things back then #Endsars some till date we do not know where they were buried etc....The current president goes for medical check-up abroad still no hope in sight at the end of the day we must find away to make a way for ourself here and that is the mean reason this thread was created ''Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) '' It has made so much point that it even has a part 3 says it all. Any lets make Nigeria work should go straight on ground or the political section of Nairaland and fight it out there and i am happy Kemi's matter is being corrected by all both home and aware and that is how it should be.

lavida001:
Youna go fix that country by force seh 🤣

You keep insisting that “we will fix the nation.” I have no expectation that Nigeria will be transformed within my lifetime and am not interested in pursuing that goal. If rebuilding the country is your priority, please do so on the ground in Nigeria.

This thread is for immigrants living in the United Kingdom, not for political debates. My focus here is on handling the challenges we face abroad, not on discussing national reform.

If you wish to campaign for Nigeria’s renewal, the political section of Nairaland is the proper venue. Remember that two Nigerian presidents: Abubakar and Buhari both treated in the United Kingdom and died had years to effect change and did not. Kindly spare us the rhetoric here.

jedisco:
Not a fan of the torygraph but there are some uneasy facts here.

How can almost 1 in 5 new cars sold be funded by the taxpayer? So when folks incl working migrants are saving money to buy cars, some are gathering their tax-funded benefits to pay a token and then be handed a new BMW every 3 yrs. Not against those who actually need it but let the numbers keep rising, e go reach everybody soon.

Wow...Just Wow...How is this sustainable in Gods name

Fiscus105:
By God Grace, you shall be delivered from spirit of slavery. Amen.

Keep your prayer to yourself...Did Hell Rufai do it or not ? We did not criticise Hellrufai then i will not do this to Wike now. If we must do to Wike then lets also do same for Hellrufai cos Hellrufai was bloody with demolition and giving to his yet to be born kids

Hell Rufai did what Wike is doing and the sky did not fall...Hellrufai was alledgedly giving lands to his unborn child so i dont see a problem with that of Wike if you must throw a stone at Wike then we muct do same to Hellrufai

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