By John Ikani
Mixed reactions have trailed the exclusion of Nigerian graduates from a new United Kingdom (UK) visa known as High Potential Individual (HPI) visa.
The new UK visa policy set to commence on May 30, will allow up to two-year visa for people with bachelor’s and master’s degrees and up to three years for PhD holders.
The HPI visa will allow people to live and work in the UK without the need for a sponsor or a prior job offer.
However, graduates of Nigerian universities do not qualify as requirements provided by the UK Government insists applicants need to have been awarded a degree from an overseas university.
The requirements went on to note that the university has to be in the list of the top 50 universities in at least two of the following ranking systems: Times Higher Education World University rankings, Quacquarelli Symonds World University rankings, and the Academic Ranking of the World Universities.
But checks by Heritage Times confirmed that Nigerian universities do not appear in any of these global rankings.
Reacting to the development, young Nigerians took turns to condemn the new policy, stressing that Nigerian degrees were not inferior to those of counterparts abroad, adding that lecturers in Nigeria were equally qualified to teach outside the country.
Korfii Uebari said: “I am not worried about the UK. If they say Nigeria is not qualified to be on the list, it also affects them. The system they brought is what Nigeria uses. Perhaps, they brought the wrong system of education to Nigeria.”
Ben Okogun lamented that “Nigeria Universities are not list in the eligible schools. What a shame? What has Nigeria been doing in the last 62years? The schools are even on strike as we speak.”
Adebukola Michael said: “Nigeria youths with the best brains but we are cursed with bad leadership. We have the best mineral resources and human resources but no human developments. No value added to our mineral resources.
“That’s why we are running abroad for better education and a better life. Others see us as ordinary asylum seekers since they don’t invite us but we’ve been the ones trooping to their place as Nigeria is not supportive but oppressive.”
Mark Ushie explained that “The question: Is your university among the top 50 in the world? If yes, then apply; if not, then meet the 12 months criteria.”
Gregory Obiajulu Mumbor said: “All these discriminations are fueled by the chains of bad leadership that have plagued Nigeria over these years. lf Nigeria had a system that works and piloted by responsible leaders, Nigeria universities as at today will be highly. rated among the very best in the world.”
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