The United Kingdom introduced a visa requirement for Nigerian citizens on February 1, 1987, ending the previous arrangement under which Nigerians did not have to obtain a visa before travelling to the UK.
Historical records from the UK Parliament confirm that Nigerian citizens were not subject to an overall requirement to obtain entry clearance before travelling to the United Kingdom until February 1, 1987.
The change meant that Nigerians travelling to the UK for visits and other purposes covered by the new rules would thereafter need to obtain the appropriate visa or entry clearance before travelling.
The policy shift was preceded by discussions and indications that new visa controls could be introduced. A 1988 UK court judgment also noted that it was generally known by November 1986 that a visa requirement for travellers from Nigeria might be imposed.
The introduction of the requirement created a new process for Nigerians seeking to travel to Britain, including applications through British visa offices. Within the first week of the new visa regime, more than 1,100 applications were reportedly received in Lagos.
Official UK parliamentary records from the period also show that visa applications from Nigerians began being recorded from February 1987. Between February and October 1987, 43,530 applications for UK visit visas were recorded, with 38,120 granted and 2,920 initially refused.
The February 1, 1987 date is therefore significant in the history of UK-Nigeria travel arrangements, marking the point at which Nigerians became subject to the UK’s prior visa requirement.
Today, Nigerian citizens are listed among nationalities that require a visa to enter or transit the United Kingdom, subject to applicable immigration rules and exemptions.
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