In a surprising immigration trend, Nigerian writers, poets, and bloggers have become the leading beneficiaries of a little-known UK visa route designed for individuals with exceptional literary talent, according to a new report by The Telegraph.

The #GlobalTalentVisa , overseen by Arts Council England and approved by the #HomeOffice , allows accomplished creatives - across music, theatre, dance, and literature - to live and work in the UK for up to five years, with the option of bringing dependents.

Of all nationalities, Nigerians have submitted the most applications under the literature category, including for roles such as poets, oral storytellers, and even graphic novelists. Over the last five years, 125 applications have come from Nigeria - more than double those from the US and far exceeding figures from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand combined.

While 54 Nigerian applicants were endorsed by the Arts Council - the highest number from any country - 70 were rejected, marking an endorsement rate of just 59%, one of the lowest among major applicant nations.

Since 2019, Nigeria has also made 729 applications across all Global Talent creative categories (fashion, music, film, dance, and visual arts), second only to the United States with 977. The surge is part of a broader boom: from just 12 applications in 2019, the number rocketed to 279 in 2024 - a staggering 2,225% increase.

The trend arrives amid growing political pressure on the Labour Government to tighten legal migration routes. Critics, like Reform UK MP Lee Anderson, argue that Britain is being too lenient, stating, “The last thing we need is to import more foreign poets and bloggers.”

Nonetheless, Nigeria’s literary scene is globally respected. Names like Ben Okri, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ have become cultural mainstays, and the late Chinua Achebe’s seminal Things Fall Apart remains a fixture on school reading lists worldwide.

Despite this, there’s ongoing debate about the visa’s effectiveness. A 2022 report revealed the median income of self-employed UK writers to be just £7,000 a year, below the national personal income tax threshold.

The visa category - currently listed under the UK’s “shortage occupation” list - remains under review and is expected to be reassessed by December 2026.

While some see the influx of Nigerian talent as a cultural boon, others view it as a loophole in Britain’s already strained immigration system.