Nigerian Designers Dominate UK Fashion Visa Race

Nigerian designers are leading the global charge for UK fashion visas, submitting more applications than any other nationality between 2019 and 2024. Likewise, they have received more endorsements than any other nation, with 145 in 2024, up from 3 in 2019. 71 of these endorsements were backed by the British Fashion Council (BFC), which seeks to ensure that the UK fashion scene is diverse, particularly in the wake of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. The surge reflects Nigeria’s growing influence on global fashion, bolstered by events like Arise Fashion Week and global exhibitions. Beyond fashion, the UK has also seen a surge in Global Talent visa applications by Nigerians across other artistic categories, including literature, film, dance, and music. However, Nigeria’s endorsement rate across all categories remains low when compared to other countries.