Business
UK announces new requirement to secure work visa from 2026, Nigerians affected
Nigerians looking to relocate to the United Kingdom will now have to demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency before being allowed to live and work in the country.
In the revised policy, which will take effect from January 8, 2026, the UK government said migrants must now attain at least a B2 standard in English, equivalent to A-level proficiency.
This is an upgrade from the current B1 level, which aligns with the GCSE standard.
UK new rules
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the government’s decision is part of the plan to cut migration levels and strengthen social integration.
She stated:
“This country has always welcomed those who come here and contribute. But it is unacceptable for migrants to arrive without learning our language or being able to engage in our national life.”
Also, applicants will be tested in person across four areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing at Home Office-approved centres, with results verified before a visa is issued.
The new policy will primarily affect Nigerians and other migrants seeking Skilled Worker, Scale-up, and HPI visas, including graduates from top global universities.
Skilled Worker visa holders must also meet salary requirements, earning at least £41,700 a year or the going rate for their role.
More strict rules for UK visa
The British Council states that migrants who achieve B2-level English can understand complex material on various subjects, communicate smoothly and naturally, and produce clear, structured writing across multiple topics.
The Home Office also indicated that additional English language requirements for other visa categories and family members are expected to be introduced soon.
The new language standards is part of the immigration white paper published in May, which aims to make the UK’s migration system “controlled, selective, and fair.
Government estimates suggest these reforms could lower annual migration by as many as 100,000 people, following a net migration figure of 431,000 in 2024.
Business
Sachet Alcohol Ban Suspended, Orders NAFDAC to Stop Enforcement Activities
The Federal Government has ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, to immediately halt all enforcement actions regarding the ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle products.
The offices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF, and National Security Adviser, ONSA, in a joint intervention, cited grave concerns over economic stability and potential security threats as reasons for the directive.
The statement warned that continued enforcement, in the absence of a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy, could “destabilize communities, worsen unemployment, and trigger avoidable security challenges”.
According to the statement signed by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, the government clarified that while the National Alcohol Policy has been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health under the direction of President Bola Tinubu, NAFDAC must refrain from sealing factories or warehouses until the policy is fully operationalized.
The statement emphasized that the current “de facto banning” of the products without a harmonized framework is creating significant disruptions.
“The continued sealing of warehouses and de facto banning of sachet alcohol products is already creating economic disruptions and poses a growing security threat, particularly given the impact on employment, supply chains, and informal distribution networks across the country,” the statement warned.
The statement further revealed that the decision was influenced by a correspondence from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, dated November 13, 2025.
The letter, signed by Deputy Chairman Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, highlighted existing National Assembly resolutions that cautioned against the proposed ban.
Reaffirming a previous suspension issued in December 2025, the statement stated the need to review legislative, public health and economic factors before a final decision is reached.
“Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the ongoing ban on sachet alcohol are to be suspended pending the final consultations and implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement emphasized.
Breaking News
Naira Appreciate Against US Dollar in Continuum
The naira continued appreciation against the United States dollar at the official foreign exchange on Tuesday.
Central Bank of Nigeria data showed that the Naira further firmed up to N 1,351.02 against the dollar on Tuesday, up from N 1,354.26 traded the previous day.
This means that on a day-to-day basis the Naira gained N3.24 against the dollar.
Similarly, at the black market, the Naira appreciated by N5 to N1450 per dollar, up from N1455.
The development comes as the apex in a notice signed by its director of the trade and exchange department, directing banks to sell a maximum of $150,000 per week to licensed Bureau De Change operators.
DAILY POST reports that the country’s external reserves remained high at $47.03 billion as of 6th February 2026.
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