Canada has announced sweeping changes to its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, affecting the eligibility of international students—including thousands of Nigerians—hoping to work in the country after their studies. The changes, effective from November 1, 2024, are part of efforts to align immigration policy with labour market needs, ensure academic integrity, and manage international student numbers.

With Nigeria consistently ranking among the top five source countries for international students in Canada, these new rules carry significant implications. Here’s what Nigerian students, parents, and education consultants need to know.

Key Revisions to the PGWP Program

As of June 25, 2025, Canada’s immigration authority (IRCC) has:

• Added 119 new programs of study to the PGWP eligibility list
• Removed 178 programs, mostly those seen as lacking labour-market demand
• Required all PGWP applicants to meet new language proficiency benchmarks
• Tied the program strictly to approved “Fields of Study” (CIP codes)
• Mandated that applicants apply with valid passports that cover the full permit duration
• Kept in place the cap on new study permits and provincial attestation letter requirements

These revisions aim to link Canada’s international education system more directly with its workforce needs, particularly in sectors like health care, skilled trades, education, engineering, and IT.

What Are the New Requirements?

1. Program Eligibility
Not all Canadian academic programs will qualify international students for a work permit after graduation. Only courses listed under eligible CIP codes (Classification of Instructional Programs) will allow students to apply for the PGWP.

For Nigerian students: You must verify whether your intended program remains on the eligible list before applying for a study permit.

2. Language Benchmarks

• College diploma/associate degree students: Must meet CLB/NCLC level 5
• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD students: Must meet CLB/NCLC level 7

This means Nigerian applicants will need to prove English proficiency through approved tests such as IELTS or CELPIP. French-speaking students may opt for TEF/TCF.

3. Passport Validity Matters
Your PGWP duration cannot exceed your passport validity. For example, if your course qualifies for a 3-year work permit but your passport expires in 2 years, you may only get 2 years.

Nigerian students are advised to renew passports well before graduation to ensure full benefit.

Canada Tightens Control on Student Intake

The Canadian government has also imposed a cap on the number of new study permits it will issue in 2025 and 2026 set at 437,000 annually. This is roughly 10% lower than the 2024 intake.

Additionally, all international students, including Nigerians, must obtain a provincial attestation letter (PAL) confirming their admission into a recognized and approved institution.

For Nigerian applicants: This means longer processing times and stricter vetting of schools and courses.

Why These Changes Matter for Nigerians

Nigerians made up over 17,000 study permit approvals in 2023, many of them aiming to transition into permanent residency through work experience in Canada. The PGWP has long been a critical pathway in that journey.

With the new field-of-study restrictions, not all programs will offer that pathway anymore. Students who enroll in now-ineligible courses will be denied a work permit after graduation, and could face deportation if they remain without legal status.

Moreover, with language testing now tied to PGWP eligibility, not just school admission students will need to plan for higher language proficiency levels from the outset.

What Nigerian Students Should Do Now

1. Check program eligibility: Ensure your desired course is on the updated PGWP-approved CIP list.
2. Meet language benchmarks: Prepare early for IELTS, CELPIP, or other tests.
3. Renew your passport: Make sure it will not expire during or shortly after your program.
4. Obtain a PAL: Confirm with your school that they will issue the provincial attestation letter.
5. Consult professionals: Work with vetted education consultants and immigration advisors.

Canada remains an attractive destination for Nigerian students, but the rules of engagement are changing. With careful planning, strong academic choices, and compliance with new immigration requirements, Nigerian students can still unlock global opportunities—just with a little more homework than before.

Senator Jim Risch, Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has accused the Kenyan government of supporting Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), warning that such actions could facilitate genocide.

In a statement released Friday, Risch voiced serious concern over Kenya’s decision to host RSF leaders in Nairobi. The Sudanese paramilitary group, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as ‘Hemedti,’ is engaged in a violent power struggle with Sudan’s national army and is accused of committing grave atrocities across the country.

The senator’s remarks come amid rising controversy over reports that RSF operatives have been using Nairobi as a base to prepare for the establishment of a rival administration in Sudan, a move seen as escalating the country’s ongoing civil war.

Risch, who played a leading role in US congressional efforts to classify RSF-led atrocities as genocide, a designation adopted by the US government in January 2025—condemned Kenya’s involvement.

“Kenya, a longstanding US ally, is aiding the RSF in legitimizing their genocidal campaign under the pretense of peace-making,” Risch said. “This is an outrageous attempt to distort reality and will do nothing to stop the bloodshed.”

The allegations have triggered widespread condemnation from human rights groups and the Sudanese government. A coalition of 13 organizations, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), has urged the Kenyan government to expel all RSF members currently in the country. In a statement issued on February 21, the coalition demanded that Kenya withdraw its support for the RSF and issue a formal apology to the Sudanese people, accusing Nairobi of bias in the peace process.

The backlash follows Kenya’s controversial decision to allow RSF leaders to meet in Nairobi, where they are reportedly planning to form a so-called “Government of Peace and Unity” to rule over territories under their control in Sudan.

Sudan’s government reacted strongly, accusing Kenya of violating its sovereignty and recalling its ambassador from Nairobi. Vice-Chair of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, Malik Agar, condemned Kenya’s actions as hostile and provocative.

“Why is Kenya interfering in Sudan’s internal affairs and expecting no consequences?” Agar questioned in a letter addressed to President William Ruto.

In response to the mounting criticism, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, defended the country’s position. He stated that Kenya remains committed to fostering a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Sudan.

“Kenya reaffirms its solidarity with the people of Sudan as they determine their future governance through inclusive dialogue,” Mudavadi said.

However, this position has sparked further debate, with critics arguing that Kenya’s actions compromise its neutrality and credibility as a mediator in the Sudanese peace process.

Republicans in the U.S. Congress scrambled on Thursday to resolve nettlesome tax and health care provisions in their sweeping tax-cut and spending bill on Thursday as President Donald Trump pressed them to pass it by a July 4 deadline.

Trump plans to promote the $2.4 trillion package at an afternoon White House event that will feature truck drivers, firefighters, ranchers and other workers who say they would benefit from the bill.

But Senate Republicans have yet to produce their version of their legislation ahead of a possible weekend vote, and the overall shape of the bill appeared more uncertain after a nonpartisan referee ruled that several healthcare provisions violated the complex process Republicans are invoking to bypass Democratic opposition.

Those elements collectively accounted for more than $250 billion in health care cuts, according to Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon. Democrats have lined up against the bill, portraying it as a wasteful giveaway to the wealthiest Americans.

It was unclear whether Republicans could opt to rework the bill to comply with the complex budget rules, as they have already done with some elements, or seek to override the decision by the Senate parliamentarian.

The bill encompasses much of Trump’s domestic agenda. It would extend his 2017 tax cuts, boost immigration enforcement, zero out green-energy incentives and tighten food and health safety-net programs.

Republicans who control both chambers of Congress broadly support the package, and have already passed it out of the House of Representatives. But they can afford to lose no more than three votes in either chamber, and they remain at odds over several provisions — notably a proposed tax break for state and local tax payments and a tax on health care providers that some states use to boost the federal government’s contribution to the Medicaid health plan.

The bill would limit those “provider taxes,” which nonpartisan watchdogs portray as an accounting trick that drives up Medicaid costs. But rural hospitals and other health providers warn that those cuts could force them to scale back operations or go out of business.