The British Council has announced a change in pricing for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams, effective September 1, 2023. According to The PUNCH, Nigerians will now be required to pay NGN 107,500 for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training exams. Additionally, the cost for UK Visas and Immigration will be NGN 116,000, while Life Skills exams will be priced at NGN 104,000.

The adjustment in pricing has been attributed to the need for maintaining high standards and quality in the testing experience. The British Council emphasized that these new prices are vital to upholding the excellence of the examination process.

Nigeria's current minimum wage of NGN 30,000 is considerably lower than the new IELTS exam fees. This increase has raised concerns due to the substantial difference in cost.

The United Kingdom has long been a popular choice for Nigerian students pursuing higher education abroad. In the 2020-21 academic year, the number of Nigerian students enrolled in UK universities reached 21,305, reflecting a remarkable 64 percent surge from the previous year.

Remarkably, Nigeria has become one of the leading sources of international students for the UK, ranking third after China and India. The enrollment figures have risen significantly, with a spike from 12,820 in 2016-17 to 21,305 in 2020-21, and a staggering 44,195 in 2021-22.

Notably, Nigerian students have seen a substantial increase in sponsored study visa grants, achieving a remarkable 700 percent rise from 2019. The Home Office of the UK reported that from March 2022 to March 2023, a total of 66,796 dependant visas were issued to families of Nigerian students who obtained study visas.

The adjustment in IELTS exam fees may impact the pursuit of educational opportunities in the UK for Nigerian students and their families, raising questions about accessibility and affordability for those aspiring to study or work in the country.