Gladness Gideon
Nigeria has become the second-largest source of long-term migrants to the United Kingdom in 2024, according to the latest figures released by the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The ONS data shows that 120,000 Nigerians relocated to the UK in the year ending June 2024, ranking behind India, which topped the chart with 240,000 migrants. The figures are part of a broader analysis focusing on migration trends among non-EU+ nationals—those from outside the European Union and other key European partners.
The statistics highlight a significant influx of individuals arriving in the UK primarily for employment and educational purposes.
Top Five Non-EU+ Countries of Origin (2024):
India – 240,000
Nigeria – 120,000
Pakistan – 101,000
China – 78,000
Zimbabwe – 36,000
Demographic Breakdown
The report shows that 82% of non-EU+ migrants are of working age (16–64 years), with a near-equal gender distribution—52% male and 48% female. Children under 16 made up 17% of the migrant population, while those aged 65 and above accounted for just 1%.
Motivations for Migration
The data reveals that work remains the primary driver of long-term migration to the UK, with 417,000 non-EU+ nationals entering the country for employment-related reasons, including skilled and seasonal work.
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Education was the second most common reason, accounting for 375,000 migrants, underlining the UK’s continued attractiveness as a global hub for higher learning.
Other recorded reasons for migration include:
Asylum seekers: 84,000
Family reunification: 76,000
Humanitarian and resettlement pathways: 67,000
The new statistics reflect broader global mobility patterns and the UK’s evolving immigration landscape, shaped by post-Brexit policy shifts, economic needs, and international educational demand.
Nigeria’s strong showing in the data underscores the country’s deepening connection with the UK in terms of labour, education, and diaspora growth.