Several prominent UK schools have announced plans to host the annual UK Boarding Schools Week in Abuja and Lagos from January 16 to 19.
This popular exhibition comes at a time when the United Kingdom has seen a sharp decline in visa applications for work and study, with numbers dropping by 42%—a decrease of nearly 400,000—between April and December 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
Provisional figures from the UK Home Office reveal that applications plummeted from 942,500 in 2023 to 547,000 in 2024, a reduction of 395,100. This downturn has been particularly pronounced among overseas students and foreign care workers, largely due to new restrictions aimed at curbing illegal migration.
Despite these challenges, the exhibition, organized by Mark Brooks Education in association with the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, marks its 17th year of connecting Nigerian families with premier educational opportunities in the UK.
“Families are invited to explore schools offering exceptional academic results, boarding facilities, pastoral care, and a proven commitment to welcoming Nigerian girls and boys. It will also celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of Nigerian students at leading UK schools,” the organizers stated.
Participating institutions include Aldro Preparatory School, Bromsgrove School, Cardiff Sixth Form College, Concord College, Glenalmond College, Lancing College, Malvern St James Girls’ School, and Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate.