In a striking policy declaration that could have sweeping implications for immigration, UK Prime Minister Keir Rodney Starmer has pledged to end what he described as Britain’s “addiction to cheap overseas labour,” setting the stage for a major shift in the country’s employment and immigration landscape.“For too long, Britain has been addicted to cheap overseas labour — while 1 in 8 of our own young people aren’t in education, employment or training,” the Prime Minister stated in an address earlier this week. “I’m putting our young people first, investing in skills they need and ending our dependence on foreign labour.”
The announcement signals a tightening of the UK’s labour market for migrants, particularly those from countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and other parts of Africa, whose citizens have increasingly moved to the UK seeking economic opportunities, skilled work, and educational advancement.
In recent years, the UK has seen a surge in migration from Africa, especially Nigeria.According to data from the UK Home Office, Nigerian nationals ranked among the top five recipients of skilled worker and student visas in 2023 and 2024.The healthcare sector, in particular, has been heavily reliant on Nigerian and Ghanaian professionals to fill chronic staffing shortages.
However, Starmer’s comments suggest the government may be preparing to scale back such reliance, in favour of boosting domestic employment through education and vocational training.
Analysts warn that this shift could lead to stricter visa criteria, reduced quotas for skilled worker visas, and potentially fewer opportunities for Africans seeking work in sectors like healthcare, social care, construction, and logistics.
This rhetoric is politically motivated, but it can still translate into real policy,” said Dr. Chika Okafor, a migration policy expert. “If the UK follows through with reducing work visa allocations or increasing salary thresholds, it will directly affect Nigerian and other African applicants who often come through routes designed to address labour shortages.”
The potential decline in UK-bound migration could have economic ramifications beyond Britain. Many Nigerian and African households depend on remittances sent from relatives working abroad.
The UK ranks among the top sources of remittances to Nigeria, sending an estimated $4 billion annually.A contraction in the UK job market for migrants would also place additional pressure on African governments already struggling with high unemployment and limited economic prospects for youth.
Despite the Prime Minister’s strong comment, experts caution that the UK economy still faces structural labour shortages, particularly in health, elder care, agriculture, and hospitality — sectors where British citizens are often unwilling or unqualified to work.“The idea that domestic labour can fully replace foreign workers in the short to medium term is overly optimistic,” noted Dr. Adeola Akinyele, a labour economist based in London.“You cannot simply replace tens of thousands of experienced migrant workers with trainees overnight.”
Still, the government appears determined to reshape the narrative around immigration, appealing to concerns about social cohesion, wage suppression, and unemployment among British youth.
What Lies Ahead
For now, migrants from Nigeria and other African countries remain eligible for UK work and student visas, but the government’s policy direction suggests potential restrictions are on the horizon.
Stakeholders in both the UK and Africa will be closely monitoring upcoming immigration reforms and their ripple effects across communities.
If enacted, Stammer’s proposal to curb foreign labour may not only reshape the UK’s immigration policy but also alter the aspirations of countless Africans who view Britain as a pathway to upward mobility and economic stability.
