UK residents born in Nigeria or who identify as Nigerian

FOI reference: FOI-2025-3251

You asked

Q. I would be grateful if you could provide or advise me on the most appropriate dataset for each of the following items: 

1. The estimated number of people resident in the UK (as at 31 October 2025) who were either born in Nigeria, are nationals of Nigeria, or identify as Nigerians. 

2. The geographical spread (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland) of people resident in the UK (as at 31 October 2025) who were either born in Nigeria or are nationals of Nigeria. 

3. A breakdown listing the five UK cities with the highest number of UK residents (as at 31 October 2025) who were either born in Nigeria or are nationals of Nigeria. 

4. The number of UK residents who qualify under the above categories (born in Nigeria or Nigerian nationals) broken down by age, sex, and year of arrival in the UK. 

5. Citizenship status (e.g., Nigerian, British, dual citizenship) of UK residents born in Nigeria or holding Nigerian nationality. 

6. Socioeconomic indicators for UK residents born in Nigeria or holding Nigerian nationality: employment status, occupational classification, education attainment, household income, and homeownership. 

7. National identity self-identification (e.g., “Nigerian”, “British Nigerian”, “Other”) among UK residents born in Nigeria or holding Nigerian nationality. 

8. Timeseries or historical estimates (from Census 1991/2001/2011/2021 or other relevant sources) for the population of UK residents born in Nigeria or holding Nigerian nationality, showing trends over time. 

9. The number of Nigerians who migrated to the UK under student visas, Tier 2 visas (now Skilled Worker), and Global Talent visas since 2020 (following the full implementation of the Brexit era immigration policy changes). 

10. Information on geographic resolution available for these groups (e.g., local authority or other subnational units) and any cost, access, or confidentiality constraints for accessing tabulations or microdata for UK residents born in Nigeria or holding Nigerian nationality. 

We said

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request.  

Please note that the most recent data available is from the 2021 Census. We are responsible for the census in England and Wales. Separate censuses are conducted by the respective statistical agencies for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Their contact details are provided below: 

National Records of Scotland (NRS)
Tel: 0131 314 4299
Email: statisticscustomerservices@nrscotland.gov.uk
Website: www.nrscotland.gov.uk 

Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (NISRA)
Tel: 02890 255156
Email: census@nisra.gov.uk
Website: www.nisra.gov.uk/census 

Although UK censuses historically take place on the same day, they are run separately by each National Statistics Office. 

Unfortunately, we do not hold data for the specific date you requested (31 October 2025). Below is a summary of what we can provide based on your questions:

Questions 1, 2, and 3 

Please see the associated download named 2021 Census Dataset - TS012 - Country of Birth (Detailed). This dataset includes counts by country of birth and can be broken down by geography (England and Wales). 

Questions 4 and 6 

These require a commissioned table, as they are not available as standard outputs. 

• There is currently no waiting list for commissioned tables. Work can begin upon receipt of your completed order form. 

• Please see our commissioned table service for the order form and details of charges. 

• All commissioned tables must pass our statistical disclosure control process to ensure confidentiality. More information is available on our website.  

As this information is reasonably accessible via another route, even if only accessible on payment, Section 21(2)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) applies.

Question 5 

We do not hold 2021 Census data on citizenship. You may find relevant information from other sources, such as the Migration Transparency Data on the GOV.UK website.

Question 7 

We do not hold data on national identity self-identification beyond what is included in the Census national identity question. This data can be found on our website.

Question 8 

We can provide historical data from previous censuses in the associated downloads: 

• 2001 Census dataset - C1458 - Top 100 Country of Birth 

• 2011 Census dataset - QS203EW - Country of Birth (Detailed) 

Please note that we do not hold data specifically relating to Nigeria prior to 2001. 

Question 9 

For Nigerians who migrated under student visas, Tier 2 (Skilled Worker), and Global Talent routes since 2020, the best source is the Home Office Immigration Statistics.
Additionally, ONS publishes provisional estimates of long-term international student migration. For the year ending December 2020, please see Table 7 in the latest dataset. This table provides estimates of arrivals by nationality, including Nigeria. 

Question 10 

We do not hold breakdowns to local authority or other sub-national levels for individual nationalities as part of migration estimates. Our Long-Term International Migration (LTIM) estimates are held at UK level.

Please note, if you have any queries regarding Census data, these can be directed to census.customerservices@ons.gov.uk and any other data request can be directed to pop.info@ons.gov.uk. If you would like copies of the datasets mentioned above or further guidance on commissioning tables, please let us know.