A young Nigerian woman has shared her heartbreaking experience after her application for a United Kingdom student visa was rejected, despite undergoing a stressful interview process and paying for priority service. The incident, which occurred in late 2025, has sparked widespread discussion online about the challenges faced by Nigerian applicants.
The Harrowing Interview Experience
In a viral TikTok video posted by user @firstladysarah0, the distressed lady recounted her ordeal at the office of the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI). She explained that after submitting her application for the September 2025 intake, she was called for an interview. During the session, the UKVI officials requested additional documents, which she promptly provided.
Despite paying for a priority service to expedite her application, she received a refusal after a delay of about five weeks. The emotional applicant expressed her frustration, pointing out a pattern she observed on the day of her interview. "I got interviewed by a black man (Ghanaian) and those that got interviewed by oyinbo (a white person) got their visa approved. Imagine. Na black Dey do black," she lamented in the video, suggesting a perceived bias in the process.
Official Reason for Refusal and Applicant's Dispute
The official reason given for the visa denial was that the UKVI did not believe she was a "genile student." This is a common ground for refusal, where immigration officials are not convinced the applicant intends to leave the UK after their studies or that their primary purpose is genuine study.
However, the lady strongly contested this assessment. She claimed that the UKVI was using the interview as an excuse to refuse many applicants from the September 2025 intake. "They interviewed a lot of September 2025 intake and refused them because of interview. Using interview as an excuse say we are not genuine students. Crazy people," she stated.
Public Reactions and Shared Experiences
The video triggered a flood of responses from Nigerians who shared similar stories or offered insights into the UK visa process.
User @emerald commented: "Once ukvi request visa interview on a student visa, they are already sensing some unscrupulous activities with your application and documents. They don't request for interview if your application is straightforward." This highlights a common belief that being called for an interview often signals deeper scrutiny.
Another user, @Life.As.Lara, shared a friend's parallel experience: "I have a friend we started our application together, I was granted without interview and him was refused even after interview with extra documents requested." This underscores the unpredictable nature of visa outcomes, even among peers.
Some comments offered a starker perspective. @Akeem Lasisi noted, "Once you matter don reach UK interview request, Otilo (it's finished).. I'm yet to see anyone that passed that interview." Meanwhile, @Tizarious urged gratitude, referencing a harsher consequence: "Thank God your visa was refused. My colleague student got ban for ten years. He can’t come to UK."
However, not all stories were of denial. @REAL ANJOLA provided a counter-narrative of success after perseverance: "To think I was interviewed twice and I was granted the visa... my visa was out on Sunday that’s three days after my second interview." This shows that while challenging, a UKVI interview does not guarantee refusal.
The case has put a spotlight on the intense pressure and emotional toll the UK student visa application process takes on many young Nigerians aspiring to study abroad. It continues to fuel debates about transparency, consistency, and fairness in international visa adjudications.
