A heated debate about immigration on X has turned into a linguistic showdown after a Briton claimed the United Kingdom care sector had become “critically dependent on Nigerians who barely speak English.”
The controversy started when Rachel Clarke, with the user name @doctor_oxford, on Monday, wrote: “1 in 5 of the UK’s care workforce have a non-British passport. Starmer would have us believe these carers are the “squalid” result of a “failed experiment.” I say they do vital, necessary, humane, skilled work and they are worth their weight in gold.”
Responding, Angantýr who tweets as @dareBasedNorthmathr wrote: “Why did we make our care sector critically dependent on Nigerians who barely speak English and each bring with them 3 dependents”
This remark quickly sparked widespread backlash from Nigerian users, who were swift to defend their community and their command of the English language.
One of the most prominent responses came from Ifedayo (@ifedayo_johnson) who publicly challenged Angantýr to a full English Language proficiency test, including writing, listening, reading, and speaking.
“I’m openly challenging you to an English Language Skills test. This would entail Writing, Listening, Speaking and Listening tests.
“If your overall score is higher than mine, I’ll quietly pack my bags and leave this country within 24 hours. But if I score higher than you, you’ll keep your mouth shut and never again question or disrespect the English Language skills of any Nigerian. Let me know when you’re ready so we fix the date and other modalities. About time y’all are put where you belong,” Ifedayo wrote.
In response, Angantýr agreed, saying: “Okay, I’ll do it.”
However, Ifedayo raised the stakes by proposing a second phase of the challenge to compare both parties’ economic contributions and benefit usage in the UK.
“I suggest it be on a Twitter space so everyone can have real time update. We will start by tendering the highest level of university education we both have. Then straight to the test proper.
“After this first phase is done and dusted, I’ll challenge you once again on behalf of every Nigerians to show what you contribute into the country and economy in terms of taxes etc. and what you take from it in terms of benefits and other public funds. I will also do same.
“If I take from this country more than I contribute, I’ll pack my bags and leave within 24 hours. If my contribution is higher than yours and what I take back is lower than yours, you’ll keep mute and never drag Nigerians into any of your agenda again! Please, let me know whenever you’re ready as I’m ready anytime you are,” he said.
The Briton, however, replied by clarifying that he agreed only to the English Language proficiency tests, adding that he will “happily do an IELTS and we can compare scores. I’ll get back to you.”
Further criticising the initial comment made by the Briton, Ifedayo wrote: “If no be condition wey make crayfish bend, How many English una sabi. Despite stereotypes, Nigerians consistently rank among the most proficient English speakers in the United Kingdom. Like I said, these guys just need to be put where they belong. Imagine saying Nigerians can barely speak English.”
In a separate challenge, another user, @agodliveshere, offered a £3,000 prize for a test involving 50 objective questions and two 1000-word essays, which Angantýr also accepted.
@agodliveshere added: “An examiner(s), questions, and method are needed; then location, time, and date should follow. You will need to take some responsibility too. You are the one who needs to prove Nigerians barely speak English. Drop your email address in my inbox, and I will reach out for the planning. I can’t sort out venue, examiners, logistics, time, date and judges all alone. WDYS?”
But Angantýr has not responded to the call for the arrangement.
When another Nigerian, Sam Omezia (@SOmezia1) also challenged the Briton to an English Language test, Angantýr declined saying: “Sorry man I’m fully booked.”
As the exchange continued, some Nigerians on X corrected Angantýr’s grammar, with some pointing out that his phrase “each bring” was grammatically incorrect and should be “each brings.”
Nyakno Abbasi, @YNyakno, wrote: “Mr Speaker, shouldn’t it be “each brings” instead of “each bring” for subject-verb agreement? Just a Nigerian correcting a Brit who barely writes well.”
Some others continued to defend Nigerians’ command of the English Language.
Aina Orosun, @seyfunmi, argued that although English is a foreign language which Nigerians are forced to learn in school, many of them can outperform native speakers in grammar and vocabulary
“We learnt it forcefully and we will beat you the colonizers silly. When you hear Nigerians, you will run,” Aina said.
Damidiya, @ogunlola23, commented under the Briton’s post, saying: There is no Nigerian here that does not speak good English and has a minimum of BSC, I have both BSC and MSC and I speak English better than you bro. Thank you!”
The trending debate comes amid the sweeping immigration reforms announced by the UK government on Monday.
The new Immigration White Paper released on Monday introduced a series of reforms aimed at tightening border controls and reducing immigration.
The new measures outlined restrictions on overseas care worker recruitment, higher skill and salary thresholds, and tougher rules on study, family, and asylum visas.
The major policy changes include the end of overseas social care recruitment, a post-study work visa period reduced from two years to 18 months, and broader English Language requirements among others.
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