Canadian Province Bans Admission of International Students, Including Nigerians, To Institutions

British Columbia, a province in Canada, has implemented a two-year ban on tertiary institutions admitting Nigerians and international students. Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed this development in a recent statement. Miller explained that the decision is part of an effort to reduce the issuance of new student visas by 35 percent for the current year, addressing concerns about "exploitative practices" within the system, according to the announcement.

British Columbia's Premier, David Eby, emphasized the need to tackle issues within the international education system, acknowledging its crucial role in the province's social and economic structure.

Eby stated, "In our province, there is a diverse range of private institutions, both large and small. Regardless of their size, we have consistent expectations for the quality they provide. Currently, there are institutions that are not meeting our standards."

During the first half of 2023, Canada granted nearly 18,000 study permits to Nigerians, surpassing all other countries except India.