The remarks made by Emdee Tiamiyu, a Nigerian Youtuber, during his interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), have faced significant criticism from various quarters.
Tiamiyu, who is well-known for providing guidance to Nigerians seeking to study in the United Kingdom, stated that many of them are not interested in acquiring new qualifications but rather in starting a new life abroad. According to him, a considerable number of individuals who apply for education in the UK view it merely as an escape route from Nigeria.
In his own words, Tiamiyu said, “The student route is more like a wish granted. It caters to a large number of people, especially the common folk. We are starting to see that many people are simply using the student visa as a shield. So, the whole idea of being a student is not genuine; it's not that they actually need the degrees.”
Tiamiyu, who resides in Birmingham, gave this interview in response to the new immigration regulations that will restrict Nigerian students and other international students studying in the UK from bringing their families as dependants, except under specific circumstances. The new rule, set to be implemented in January 2024, aims to prevent misuse of the visa system by international students switching from the student route to work routes before completing their studies.
Many Nigerians expressed their displeasure with Tiamiyu's remarks, stating that he has jeopardized the chances of genuine students planning to study in the UK. Some have labeled him a clout chaser who is seeking popularity.
Francis Ebuara, a Twitter user, addressed the BBC, saying, “Dear BBC, Nigerians are aware of a video featuring your interview with one ‘Emdee Tiamiyu,' who claimed that Nigerians do not go to the UK for the purpose of acquiring degrees. It is important to clarify that his statements represent his personal views and not those of Nigerians as a whole.”
Another user, Bizzle, commented, “What @EmdeeTiamiyu said in the interview was inappropriate! He has made a terrible impression, and the internet will never forget it. Sometimes, it is better to control one's words rather than speak impulsively. He was too eager to be interviewed and chose to blow the whistle.”
Daniel Regha, another Twitter user, called Tiamiyu a thoughtless clown, accusing him of perpetuating negative stereotypes about Nigerians. Regha claimed that instead of correcting misconceptions and addressing the negative image of Nigeria, Tiamiyu deliberately threw his fellow countrymen under the bus for views and attention. Ignorance, according to Regha, is a disease, and he hopes karma catches up with Tiamiyu soon.
Omolomo, in their reaction, tweeted, “Emdee Tiamiyu has finally ‘japa' (slang for leaving the country), and all he could do was block the same channel he used to attract others.”
Wanjukay also tweeted, “This Emdee Tiamiyu has made a fool of himself on #BBC. Nigerian students have made significant contributions to the UK economy through post-graduate studies. Making hasty generalizations and jumping to conclusions like this just for the sake of YouTube views is incredibly selfish and destructive.”