The House of Representatives has rejected a motion seeking to plead with United Kingdom government to desist from banning Nigerian students bringing their families to the country.

During the plenary on Tuesday, a member of house of representatives, Taiwo Oluga, raised the motion that the relationship between UK and Nigeria government has been mutually beneficial to both countries.

She added that the educational system in Nigeria was structured after that of the UK which has led many young Nigerians to seek employment as well as educational opportunities in the UK.

“Recall that on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, the Clerk to the National Assembly was directed to transmit the Constitution, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 47 that has met the requirement of Section 9(2) of the Constitution to the President for assent,” she said.

“Also recall that the Houses of Assembly of Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Plateau and Taraba states that were yet to forward their resolutions were urged to do so in compliance with constitutional obligation.

“Aware that recently, the United Kingdom Migration Policy allowed Nigerians admitted to United Kingdom universities to undergo Master’s Degree Programme to relocate/emigrate to allowing the Student Applicant (Primary Applicant) to the Kingdom with their family thereby relocate with his spouse (dependant) and children, whereupon the spouse/dependant is unable to work and earn a living supporting the family and paying tuition of the Nigerian Emigrant Family.” 

She stated that the tuition for a Master’s programme was about £13,000 with an average number of 60,000 Nigerian students applying annually. 

Majority of the lawmakers at plenary shouted “nay” when Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila put the motion into question.