By Promise Eze
Criticism has erupted following the statements made by Nigerian Youtuber Emdee Tiamiyu during his recent interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
Tiamiyu, renowned for his advice on studying in the United Kingdom, controversially claimed that many Nigerians pursuing education in the UK were not genuinely seeking new qualifications but rather aiming to start a new life abroad.
According to him, a significant number of applicants view studying in the UK as a means to escape Nigeria, rather than a pursuit of knowledge. He stated, “The student route is more like an answered prayer. It is a big bracket that’s able to take a lot of people, the ordinary people. We’re beginning to see that a lot of people just hide behind the studentship. So the student thing is not real, it’s not like they need the degrees.”
Tiamiyu, based in Birmingham, provided these remarks in response to the recent immigration rules that will prevent Nigerian students and others studying in the UK from bringing their families as dependants, unless under specific circumstances. The new regulations, effective from January 2024, also eliminate the option for international students to switch from the student route to work routes before completing their studies, aiming to prevent misuse of the visa system.
Many Nigerians were displeased with Tiamiyu’s comments, as they felt he had undermined the aspirations of genuine students planning to study in the UK. Some even labeled him a clout chaser seeking popularity.
Twitter users expressed their discontent with Tiamiyu’s statements. Francis Ebuara clarified, “Dear BBC, Nigerians have been made aware of a video showing your interview with one ‘Emdee Tiamiyu,’ who claimed that Nigerians do not go to the UK because they need the degree. For the avoidance of doubt, your interviewee has spoken strictly for himself and not for Nigerians.”
Dear @BBCNews,
Nigerians have been made aware of a video showing your interview with one “Emdee Tiamiyu” who claimed that Nigerians do not go to the UK because they need the degree. For the avoidance of doubt, your interviewee has spoken strictly for himself & not for Nigerians. pic.twitter.com/thVIgkXI6Q
— Francis Ebuara (@ushiebuaras) May 23, 2023
Bizzle criticized Tiamiyu, stating, “What @EmdeeTiamiyu said in the interview was unhealthy! He has really made bad history, and the internet will never forget it. Sometimes it is healthy to bridle your mouth than speaking in a happy state of mind. He was too happy to be interviewed and decided to blow the whistle.”
Daniel Regha condemned Tiamiyu’s actions, remarking, “Emdee Tiamiyu is a mindless clown. Nigerians are already being stigmatized, our country has a negative image, but instead of correcting the wrong perceptions, he deliberately threw Nigerians under the bus for views and cheap clout. Ignorance is a disease. Hope karma visits him soon.”
Emdee Tiamiyu is a m!ndless clown. Nigerians are already being stigmatized, our country has a negative image but instead of correcting the wrong perceptions he deliberately threw Nigerians under the bus for views & cheap clout. Ignorance is a disease. Hope karma visits him soon.
— Daniel Regha (@DanielRegha) May 23, 2023
Omolomo expressed disappointment, tweeting, “Emdee Tiamiyu finally japa and all he could do was to block the same channel he used for those coming.”
Wanjukay criticized Tiamiyu’s statements as well, stating, “This Emdee Tiamiyu just made a fool of himself on #BBC. Nigerian students have immensely contributed to the UK economy through post-graduate studies. Stereotyping and jumping to conclusions like this just to gain YouTube views is destructively greedy.”
On the one hand, if all the Nigerians he has “helped” to the UK via study visas were interested in immigration rather than education, then Emdee Tiamiyu is an unscrupulous individual who should be scrutinised by the UK Home Office.
— 'Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) May 24, 2023
