Nigerian Woman Stranded in UK After Paying 11.6m for Fake Skilled Worker Visa
A Nigerian woman who went to the United Kingdom (UK) shared her story of facing difficulties and having to ask for food and help. She explained that she was tricked by an agent who took about 11.6 million Naira (equivalent to 10,000 pounds) from her for a skilled worker visa. Unfortunately, when she arrived in the UK, she realized there was no job waiting for her.
This woman, who prefers to remain anonymous, expressed her disappointment, saying she should be in a position to help others rather than asking for help herself. She had hoped to achieve financial independence and self-reliance, but her dreams were shattered when she discovered the promised job was not real.
Blessing’s situation is not unique. Investigations by Sky News have shown that there is widespread exploitation in the UK’s skilled worker visa system. People seeking jobs in the UK are often being taken advantage of by intermediaries who profit from their desperation.
A Nigerian Community Centre in Greater Manchester has set up a food bank to support individuals like Blessing who are struggling due to broken promises of employment. The founder of the center, Mary Adekugbe, highlighted that an increasing number of skilled worker visa holders are in need of support.
The impact is felt in communities, with many who arrived in the UK with hopes of a better life finding themselves trapped in poverty and despair. Some are even homeless. Community leaders and organizations are calling for stricter government checks and measures to prevent exploitation of immigrants.
In 2022, the UK issued more than 170,000 skilled worker visas, with a focus on sectors like health and care. This story adds to the growing trend of young Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad, particularly in the UK. The UK government has released a list of accepted occupations for qualified Nigerians applying for skilled worker visas. However, cases of exploitation and false promises highlight the challenges faced by those pursuing these opportunities.
