British Nigerians (here meaning British people of Nigerian descent) have formed long-established communities in London, Liverpool and other industrial cities. A large number of British Nigerians live in South London and south-east London, with areas such as Peckham, Woolwich, Plumstead, and Thamesmead being given the moniker 'Little Lagos'.
History Nigerians have formed long-established communities in London, Liverpool and other industrial cities. The earliest known Nigerian presence in England took place over 200 years ago as a direct result of the transatlantic slave trade. Olaudah Equiano, born in what is now Nigeria and a former slave, lived in London and was involved in the debate that occurred in Britain over the abolition of the slave trade.
Like many other former British colonies, Nigeria has been a large source of immigrants to the United Kingdom. Prior to Nigerian independence from Britain, gained in 1960, many Nigerians studied in the UK along with other countries such as Australia and the United States; with the majority returning to Nigeria upon completion of their higher education. In the 1960s, civil and political unrest in Nigeria contributed to many refugees migrating to Britain, along with skilled workers.
Nigerians emigrated in larger numbers in the 1980s, following the collapse of the petroleum boom. This wave of migration has been more permanent than the pre-independence wave of temporary migration. Asylum applications from Nigerians peaked in 1995, when the repression associated with the military dictatorship of Sani Abacha was at its height.
In 2015, Britain's Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner expressed concerns about the extent of contemporary slavery involving Nigerians smuggled to the UK. Of more than 2,000 potential victims of human trafficking referred to the National Crime Agency in 2014, 244 were from Nigeria. This represented a 31 per cent increase on 2013's figure. According to the BBC, "Campaigners believe the real figure of potential trafficking victims from Nigeria could be much higher".
Demographics Population + Nigerian-born population by region and country Region / Country Population % Largest communityEngland 266,877 0.47% Greater London 117,145 1.33% Greenwich – 14,357 (5.0%) South East 32,468 0.35% Medway – 3,993 (1.4%) North West 29,092 0.39% Manchester – 10,329 (1.9%) East of England 27,913 0.44% Thurrock – 5,481 (3.1%) West Midlands 19,911 0.33% Birmingham – 5,946 (0.5%) East Midlands 13,902 0.28% Nottingham – 3,442 (1.1%) Yorkshire and The Humber 12,454 0.23% Leeds – 3,415 (0.4%) South West 7,691 0.13% Bristol – 1,431 (0.3%) North East 6,301 0.24% Newcastle – 2,082 (0.7%) Scotland 21,286 0.39% Aberdeen – 5,662 (2.5%) Wales 3,891 0.13% Cardiff – 1,366 (0.4%) Northern Ireland 1,555 0.08% Belfast – 862 (0.2%)
The 2001 UK Census recorded 88,378 Nigerian-born people resident in the UK. The 2011 Census recorded 191,183 Nigerian-born residents in England and Wales. The censuses of Scotland and Northern Ireland recorded 9,458 and 543 Nigerian-born residents respectively. More recent estimates by the Office for National Statistics put the figure at 215,000 in 2019.
A Council of Europe report gives a figure of 100,000 Nigerians in the UK but suggests that this is likely to be an underestimate since it does not include irregular migrants or children born outside of Nigeria. Similarly, Nigerians with citizenship of another EU member state who then relocated to the UK are not necessarily included in this estimate. The report suggests to multiply the figure by between 3 and 8 to reflect the size of the Nigerian community in the UK.
Distribution The UK's largest concentration of Nigerians is found in the capital city, London. The 2001 census found that Peckham was the home to the largest overseas Nigerian community in the UK, with 7% of the population of the Peckham census tract having been born in Nigeria. Many of the local establishments are Yoruba and Igbo owned. Nigerian churches and mosques can be found in the area. English has always been the predominant language of the local Nigerian British population as English is the main spoken language in Nigeria. The Yoruba language and the Igbo language are declining in use in the Peckham area despite the growing Nigerian population of Igbo and Yoruba descent. Outside London and South East England, the 2001 census recorded the largest Nigerian-born communities in the East of England and the North West.
Citizenship Below is a table showing how many Nigerians were granted British citizenship and the right of abode in the period 1998 to 2009.
Persons granted citizenship 1998 3,550 1999 3,481 2000 5,594 2001 6,290 2002 6,480 2003 6,300 2004 6,280 2005 6,615 2006 5,875 2007 6,030 2008 4,530 2009 6,955
Language In England and Wales in 2011, 14,914 people (0.03% of all residents aged three and over) spoke Yoruba as a main language, 7,946 (0.01%) spoke Igbo and 6,639 (0.01%) spoke other Nigerian languages. In London, 10,119 people (0.13% of all residents aged three and over) spoke Yoruba as a main language, 5,252 (0.07%) people spoke Igbo and 3,577 (0.05%) spoke other Nigerian languages. However, in the most recent population census of 2021, the Igbo speaking population in England and Wales has increased significantly to 11,074 making Igbo the most spoken Nigerian language in the area.
Education According to the Institute for Public Policy Research, Nigerian pupils are among best performing student groups in the United Kingdom. Taking data for only England, a 2013 IPPR survey reported that the proportion of British Nigerian pupils gaining 5 A*–C grades at GCSE (including Maths and English) in 2010–2011 was 21.8 percentage points higher than the England mean of 59.6 per cent. This average was calculated using student data, where available, from various local authorities in England.
The number of Nigerian pupils at British private schools is growing. In November 2013, The Spectator noted that Nigerians, along with Russians, "are now the fastest-growing population in British private schools". In 2013, the number of entrants to private schools from Nigeria increased by 16 per cent.
According to Higher Education Statistics Agency data, 17,620 students from Nigeria were studying at British public higher education institutions in the academic year 2011–12. This made them the third largest country-of-origin group behind students from China and India. Of the 17,620, 6,500 were undergraduates, 9,620 taught postgraduates and 1,500 research postgraduates.
Research by Euromonitor International for the British Council indicates that in 2010, the majority (66 per cent) of Nigerian foreign students attended universities in the UK. The students are mainly drawn to these institutions' English language academic system. Their time studying in Britain is also facilitated by an established and large Nigerian community and by "the relative proximity of the UK to Nigeria".
Notable British Nigerians
Nigerian citizens of British descent Caroline Danjuma, actress Eku Edewor, actress John Godwin and Gillian Hopwood, architects Lola Maja, makeup artist Sir Nicholas Mostyn, judge SHiiKANE, girl group Alan Vaughan-Richards, architect Remi Vaughan-Richards, filmmaker
British citizens of Nigerian descent Taiba Akhuetie, artist Babatunde Aléshé, actor, writer and comedian Steven Bartlett, entrepreneur Nabil Abdulrashid, comedian Charles Abani, International development professional Brian Belo, Celebrity and Big Brother Winner Efan Ekoku, footballer Reuben Agboola, footballer Tammy Abraham, footballer Timmy Abraham, footballer Jordon Ibe, footballer Dupsy Abiola, entrepreneur Chioma Nnadi, editor Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, writer Chizzy Akudolu, actress Fisayo Adarabioyo, footballer Tosin Adarabioyo, footballer Diran Adebayo, novelist Dotun Adebayo, journalist and presenter Tobi Adebayo- Rowling, footballer Elijah Adebayo, footballer Ovie Ejaria, footballer Rio Ngumoha, footballer Rio Adebisi, footballer Zach Awe, footballer Fikayo Tomori, footballer George Ndah, footballer Cynthia Erivo, actress Victor, Lord Adebowale, peer Adelayo Adedayo, actress Amaka Okafor, actress Callum Olusesi, footballer Adegbenga Adejumo, dubstep musician known as Benga Julie Adenuga, radio presenter and host Gabriel Agbonlahor, footballer Ola Aina, footballer Hakeeb Adelakun, footballer Sam Adekugbe, footballer David Ajiboye, footballer Tomi Adeloye, footballer Elijah Adekugbe, footballer Kayode Ajulo, lawyer and arbitrator Eniola Aluko, footballer Rinsola Babajide, footballer Ashleigh Plumptre, footballer Justin Oboavwoduo, footballer Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, footballer Tyrique George, footballer Ethan Nwaneri, footballer John Akinde, footballer Sam Akinde, footballer Nicky Ajose, footballer Tunji Akinola, footballer Dipo Akinyemi, footballer James Akintunde, footballer Mofe Jemide, footballer Sone Aluko, footballer Ken Aboh, footballer Tolu Akinyemi (Poetolu), writer Abimbola Afolami, MP Kriss Akabusi, athlete Moyo Akandé, actress Adebayo Akinfenwa, footballer Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, actor Wunmi Mosaku, actor Dele Alli, footballer Dele Sosimi, Musician John Amaechi, basketball player and psychologist Sammy Ameobi, footballer Shola Ameobi, footballer Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, nurse and professor of nursing Joe Aribo, footballer OG Anunoby, basketball player Ade Adepitan, wheelchair basketball player and television presenter Matthew Ashimolowo, clergyman Zach Awe, footballer Richard Ayoade, actor and comedian Stephen K. Amos, actor Rachel Adedeji, actor and singer Babatunde Aleshe, Comedian Femi Azeez, footballer Miguel Azeez, footballer Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Opposition (United Kingdom) Adejoké Bakare, Michelin Star chef and restauranteur Ashley Madekwe, actress Tunde Baiyewu, singer Dame Shirley Bassey, singer Rapman, film director and musician Maleek Berry, musician Babatunde Aléshé, actor Happi, musician Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Yoruba princess, goddaughter to Queen Victoria John Boyega, actor Chukwudi Iwuji, actor Tobi Brown, YouTuber and member of the Sidemen Caleb Chukwuemeka, footballer Carney Chukwuemeka, footballer Carlton Cole, footballer Caroline Chikezie, actor Toheeb Jimoh, actor Tosin Cole, actor Kehinde Fadipe, actor Femi Oyeniran, actor Taio Cruz, singer Kwn, Musician Essosa, Musician Bellah, Singer Ms Banks, rapper Little Simz, rapper Enny, rapper Dave, rapper Knucks, rapper Labi Siffre, Musician Victoria Davies Randle, Yoruba princess, goddaughter to Queen Victoria Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, footballer Tom Dele-Bashiru, footballer Tino Anjorin, footballer Sope Dirisu, actor Dizzee Rascal, grime artist Ugo Ehiogu, footballer Chiwetel Ejiofor, actor Carmen Ejogo, actress Toni Tone, author Patience Agbabi, author Yomi Adegoke, author Bim Adewunmi, author Nikki May, author Buchi Emecheta, author Zain Asher, author and journalist Bola Agbaje, playwright Oladipo Agboluaje, playwright Olaudah Equiano, explorer, writer, merchant and abolitionist Florence Eshalomi, MP Bernardine Evaristo, author and Booker Prize winner Eberechi Eze, footballer John Fashanu, footballer Justin Fashanu, footballer Helen Grant, MP Saffron Hocking, actress Vick Hope, television and radio presenter AJ Odudu, television and radio presenter Gbemisola Ikumelo, actress Anne-Marie Imafidon, child prodigy Maro Itoje, rugby union player Adedayo Adebayo, rugby player Alex Iwobi, footballer NneNne Iwuji-Eme, Britain's first black female ambassador JME, grime artist Ariyon Bakare, actor Hannah John-Kamen, actor Damson Idris, actor Kola Bokinni, actor Zackary Momoh, actor Tomiwa Edun, actor Jimmy Akingbola, actor Razaaq Adoti, actor Deborah Ayorinde, actor Lolly Adefope, actor Lauryn Ajufo, actor Ann Akinjirin, actor Phina Oruche, actor Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, actor Charles Babalola, actor Obi Abili, actor David Ajala, actor David Jonsson, actor Delroy Atkinson, actor Hammed Animashaun, actor Fisayo Akinade, actor Valentine Nonyela, actor