For many Nigerians who relocate to the UK for studies, balancing education and finances can be a struggle. Some students work beyond the legally allowed 20 hours per week during term time to meet financial obligations, while others stick to the rules.

A recent discussion in the Nigerian community on social media sparked a heated debate on whether exceeding work limits as a student is worth the risk.

The Debate: Was It a Mistake to Follow the Rules?

A user, @paul_dumebi, shared his regret about not working full-time while studying, stating that it took him almost a year to recover financially. However, this post triggered strong reactions from other Nigerians in the UK, warning against openly discussing such topics online.

@akingbade2 criticized the post, implying it could attract unnecessary attention: “And you didn’t think that you shouldn’t post this?? Nigerians too do….”

Similarly, @gbemiolaleru warned about potential consequences: “Trust me, this your post can cost you big time. If you are wise, you will take it down. You will be shocked at who is reading and tracing you.”

While some shared stories of people who worked full-time as students without consequences, others pointed out that the Home Office has ways of tracking visa compliance, which could affect future applications for the #GraduateVisa , #SkilledWorkerVisa , #ILR , or even citizenship.

@buzillion shared an example: “I know people who didn’t get their PSW because they worked overtime. Some didn’t even get their COS.”

@zeesol16 added: “Until you see someone whose CoS wasn’t approved cos he did more than 20 hours as a student. It happened to someone I know and Baba is back in Nigeria.”

Does the Home Office Really Check?

A common question in the conversation was whether UK immigration authorities actively check student work records. While some students have successfully secured post-study visas despite working full-time, others have faced consequences.

@kaluemeka89 raised a valid point: “I have friends who were steadily working full-time as students… Upon graduation, they applied for a Graduate Visa, which was approved in 3-8 days. Does the Home Office really check to ensure compliance?”

However, as @dgr8cali noted, past infractions might still be reviewed when applying for ILR or citizenship.

The Risks of Oversharing Online

Beyond legal consequences, many users warned that discussing visa violations on social media could attract unnecessary scrutiny.

@truthfocused1 advised: “Could you please delete this? One mistake Nigerians in the diaspora make is being overly loud. You don’t see other nationals do this. You have no idea how many strict immigration rules have been implemented just because of our loud attitude.”

@alte_native emphasized the dangers of public posts: “Imagine you wanting to get a job and the company checks your social media handles and sees this tweet. Classical case of shooting yourself in the foot.”

While working extra hours may seem like a temporary solution to financial struggles, the long-term risks could outweigh the benefits. UK immigration policies are strict, and non-compliance could impact future visa applications.

More importantly, Nigerians in the diaspora are advised to be mindful of what they share online, as discussions like these can influence stricter immigration policies in the future.

Are you a Nigerian student in the UK? What has been your experience with working while studying?

#NigeriansAbroad #UKStudentVisa #WorkAndStudyUK #PSWVisa #JapaForum