Nigeria, several African and Caribbean countries, could face fresh visa restrictions to the United Kingdom if the right-wing political party, Reform UK, wins the next general elections.
The proposed policy, which has triggered debate, targets countries that have formally demanded reparations for slavery.
According to a report, the party’s home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, defended the controversial plan, arguing that nations seeking compensation are ignoring Britain’s historical role in abolishing the slave trade.
“A growing number of countries are demanding reparations from Britain,” Yusuf said.
“They ignore the fact that Britain made huge sacrifices to be the first major power to outlaw slavery and enforce this prohibition.
“Astonishingly, these countries have received 3.8 million visas and £6.6 billion in foreign aid over the past 20 years. Enough is enough.”
Countries that could be affected include Nigeria, Jamaica, Kenya, Haiti, Guyana, Barbados, and The Bahamas, many of which have intensified calls for reparatory justice in recent years.
The development comes amid renewed global agitation for reparations following a recent resolution by the United Nations calling on former colonial powers to address the legacy of slavery.
The resolution described the transatlantic slave trade as one of the “gravest crimes against humanity.” The United Kingdom abstained from the vote.
Reacting, Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, dismissed the move, accusing the UN of overreach.
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“It is now the UN telling us we should go bankrupt, to apologise for what people did centuries ago. Forget it. The UN has no legitimacy over this country whatsoever,” Farage said.
The party also pledged to slash foreign aid spending to £1 billion annually, representing a steep reduction from current levels.
Meanwhile, the UK government has maintained its long-standing position, acknowledging the historical atrocities of slavery but ruling out reparations.
A Foreign Office spokesperson reiterated that stance, while opposition leader, Keir Starmer, has also dismissed calls for compensation, saying his focus is on the future rather than the past.
The push for reparations has gained momentum globally, led by African states and Caribbean blocs, including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Union. Countries such as Ghana have been at the forefront, demanding formal apologies, restitution of cultural artefacts, and financial compensation.
The UN General Assembly resolution, backed by over 120 countries, has further intensified pressure on former colonial powers, even as divisions remain sharp among Western nations.
With immigration and historical accountability now intersecting in political discourse, the proposal by Reform UK signals a potential hardening of policy that could significantly impact citizens of countries pushing for reparations.
