Nigerian students have been affected by the latest UK government cut on Graduate Route visas from two years to 18 months.

It is part of a sweeping crackdown on what the UK described as “systemic abuse and mission drift”;; in international education, asylum, and family immigration.

The announcement is part of a broader Immigration White Paper released on Monday.

“Migration must be controlled and compliant. Our reforms will close the back doors and shut down abuse across the system,”;; the Home Office stated on its website.

”;;The Graduate Route — previously offering two years of post-study work rights — will now offer only 18 months, with a tighter pathway to work visas and fewer rights to bring dependants.

“The Graduate Route has not met its original objectives.

“It has become a loophole for unsponsored work and a magnet for abuse,”;; the document said.

Only institutions meeting “enhanced compliance standards”;; will be allowed to retain international recruitment licenses.

Universities found to have low progression-to-work rates or engaged in misleading recruitment practices will face sanctions.