The British Council in Nigeria has announced another increment in the fees for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for Nigerian emigrants.
The IELTS fees from February 1 will be N139,000 up from N107,500 which Nigerians currently pay for the Computer Academic and General Training Modules. The change represents 29% increase in the IELTS fees.
In September 2023, the British Council implemented another increment for IELTS in Nigeria. The fee for the IELTS, which used to be between N80,000 and N90,000 was increased to N107,500 in September last year.
In the last eight years since 2015, Nigeria’s emigration figures have skyrocketed due to harder economy and poor living conditions, but the Council said the IELTS fees increment was owing to rise in the costs of delivering the examinations in the country.
In a circular on its website, the Council stated: “We would like to inform you that there has been a review of our IELTS fees. The new price list of the IELTS range of tests offered by the British Council will be effective for registrations on or after 1 February 2024.
“The new prices will be: IELTS on Computer Academic and General Training Modules: ₦139,000
“IELTS on Paper Academic and General Training Modules: ₦134,000; UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI): ₦149,000; Life Skills: ₦130,000; One Skill Retake (O.S.R): ₦87,570.
“The change in price is associated with the increased costs in the delivery of our exams. This will enable us to continue to offer a wide range of services and comprehensive support to enable you to achieve your goals.”
Young citizens and a large number of medical practitioners trained in the country continue to leave Nigeria in search of greener pastures in the UK, USA, Canada and other developed countries as economic woes worsen in the country.
To obtain visa for migrating to the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, non-natives are required to have passed IELTS as a proof of their profiency in English Language.
According to relevant competent statistics , in 2021, the migration rate in Nigeria stood at -0.29 per 1,000 population. This means that the number of people leaving Nigeria is slightly higher than that of those entering the country. Between 2000 and 2021, the migration balance stayed negative.
The situation is also exacerbated by the high cost of living. By 2030, more than 110 million people in Nigeria are expected to live in poverty. Emigration is becoming inevitable as oil prices continue to fall and youth unemployment rises rapidly. Lack of security can also be attributed to the main factors.
