INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND NIGERIA-UK RELATIONS: A STUDY OF POST-BREXIT PERIOD

Abstract

International migration has become an increasingly prominent feature of Nigeria-UK relations, rooted in colonial history and shaped by contemporary global developments. A key turning point in this relationship was the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union (Brexit), which led to major changes in the country’s immigration system. These reforms have redefined the pathways for migrants from countries like Nigeria. This study therefore, examines how post-Brexit immigration policies have influenced migration trends and experiences among Nigerian migrants in the UK, the socioeconomic implications of these migration patterns on Nigeria, and the diplomatic engagements between both countries. The study also explores the role of Nigerian migrant networks in facilitating integration and mitigating policy-induced challenges. The study is anchored on the Push-Pull Theory, which explains how unfavourable conditions in Nigeria and better prospects in the UK drive migration and Transnationalism Theory, which emphasises how migrants sustain connections across borders and impact both their countries of origin and host. The study employed a case study research design. Data were obtained from both primary (semi-structured interviews) and secondary sources (official documents, reports, and scholarly literature). Thematic analysis, aided by NVivo software, was used to organise and interpret the data. The findings revealed that post-Brexit immigration reforms have created a mixed landscape of opportunities and challenges for Nigerian migrants. Policies like the Graduate Route visa have expanded post-study work opportunities, while stricter visa rules, work permit limitations, increased border control, and points-based systems have imposed legal, financial, and emotional burdens on Nigerian migrants. These policies have intensified brain drain in Nigeria, particularly in sectors such as healthcare and education, while reinforcing economic interdependence through remittances. The study also finds out that migration is increasingly instrumental in shaping Nigeria–UK diplomatic relations, as evidenced by frameworks like the Migration Partnership Agreement and bilateral migration summits. Nigerian migrant networks were identified as essential support structures, providing legal assistance, emotional support, and policy advocacy that enhance migrant resilience and integration. The study recommends that the Nigerian government should invest in critical sectors to curb push factors, negotiate migration agreements favouring mutual development, and engage diaspora communities more effectively for skills transfer. The UK should adopt more inclusive and development-sensitive migration frameworks. By addressing both domestic and international dimensions of migration, Nigeria and the UK can establish a more balanced and mutually beneficial migration relationship. The study concludes that migration is no longer a peripheral issue but a central factor shaping diplomacy, development, and identity in the post-Brexit era.