Emdee Tiamiyu, a Nigerian Youtuber, made some comments in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation that have drawn criticism ever since.
Tiamiyu, a well-known expert on advising Nigerians on studying in the UK, claimed that many of them weren’t seeking new credentials but rather to begin a new life abroad.
He claimed that the majority of people who applied for education in the nation only saw it as a different way to leave Nigeria.
He said, “The student route is more like an answered prayer. It is a big bracket that’s able to take a lot of people, the ordinary people.
“We’re beginning to see that a lot of people just hide behind the studentship. So the student thing is not real, it’s not like they need the degrees,” he added.
Emdee Tiamiyu, who is based in Birmingham, agreed to the interview following the implementation of new immigration regulations that will make it difficult for Nigerian students and others studying in the UK to bring their families with them unless certain conditions are met.
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In order to prevent abuse of the visa system, the UK will remove the option for international students to switch from the student route to the work route before their studies are finished under the new rule, which will go into effect in January 2024.
Tiamiyu’s submission infuriated Nigerians, who felt that he had hurt the chances of those who genuinely wanted to study in the UK.
Following the heavy criticism from Nigerian on social media, Emdee Tiamiyu has finally responded by apologizing over his statement made during the BBC interview.
“I am deeply sorry. I am apologizing for whatever pain that you feel, I feel even more because if I meet you in person and there’s nothing in my heart than love, progress and positive support,” he said in the self-recorded video.
I'm deeply sorry – YouTuber, Emdee Tiamiyu apologizes to Nigerians pic.twitter.com/upUOOi6SbU
— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) May 24, 2023
