In a striking reflection of global migration trends, the number of Nigerians residing in the United Kingdom has surged significantly over the past decade. A new report by Statista, a German online statistics platform, reveals that the Nigerian population in the UK grew from 90,000 in 2008 to 178,000 by 2021.
This remarkable increase underscores a growing trend of Nigerians settling in the UK, making Nigeria the ninth-largest nationality group in the country.
The report, which tracks migration patterns across various nationalities, shows a steady rise in the number of Nigerians calling the UK home. Over a span of 13 years, the population almost doubled, with Nigerian nationals now joining a diverse mix of communities within the UK.
The same report ranks Poland as the country with the highest population of citizens in the UK, with 696,000 Polish nationals residing there. India and the Republic of Ireland follow closely behind, each contributing 370,000 residents to the UK. Italy and Romania round out the top five, with 342,000 citizens of each country living in the UK.
Other notable countries include Portugal, which ranks seventh with 268,000 citizens, and Spain, which holds the eighth position with 206,000. Pakistan rounds out the top ten with 181,000 nationals, just ahead of Nigeria’s 178,000 citizens.
Nigeria’s position as the only African country in the top ten highlights its significant diaspora in the UK. The figures not only reflect increased migration but also suggest a shift in the patterns of international migration, with Nigerians increasingly choosing the UK as their destination of choice.
