According to recent information from the British Council, starting in September 2023, Nigerians will be required to pay N107,500 for academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams.
Previously, citizens of any country intending to move to the UK for work or study were obligated to take the IELTS test.
This cost increase, now almost three times the country’s minimum wage of N30,000, is deemed necessary by the council to maintain the high standards of the testing experience.
The new prices for IELTS tests will be NGN 107,500 for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, NGN 116,000 for UK Visas and Immigration, and NGN 104,000 for Life Skills.
The British Council expressed gratitude for test-takers’ choice and commitment.
The UK remains a preferred destination for Nigerians seeking educational opportunities, with a significant increase in Nigerian student enrollments in UK universities over the years.
As of September 2021, only China and India had more students in the UK than Nigeria.
Nigerian student enrolments have surged in recent years, representing a substantial rise in sponsored study visa grants.
Moreover, data from the UK Home Office in May indicated a significant number of dependant visas issued to families of Nigerian students obtaining study visas.