UK-Based Nigerian Dares British Citizen To IELTS Showdown After Mockery Of Nigerians’ English

A heated exchange is currently rocking social media platform X after a Nigerian man based in the United Kingdom, Ifedayo Johnson, publicly challenged a British national to an English language proficiency test following a perceived racially charged remark.

The drama started when a UK-based user with the handle @BasedNorthmathr, identified simply as Angantýr, made a post questioning the English skills of Nigerian immigrants working in the UK care sector.

He wrote, “Why did we make our care sector critically dependent on Nigerians who barely speak English and each bring with them three dependents?”

The statement, widely condemned as both racist and ignorant, drew the ire of many users. However, it was Ifedayo’s sharp rebuttal that quickly went viral.

Posting under the handle @Ifedayo\_Johnson, the Nigerian man issued a direct and unapologetic challenge:

“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.”

In an unexpected twist, Angantýr accepted the challenge and reposted the terms.

He wrote, “These were the terms I agreed to: ‘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.’ I’ll happily do an IELTS and we can compare scores.”

Angantýr later tweeted, “Sunday 7:45 GMT. The fate of millions is at stake.”

Recall that in 2022, a petition was on the online petition-aggregator, Change.org, aimed at stopping demands for English proficiency tests from Nigerians.

The petition garnered at least 26, 000 signatures.

The petition, which was initiated by Policy Shapers, was titled ‘Stop asking Nigerians to write IELTS’.

It particularly called for an end to foreign institutions’ demands for the International English Language Testing System from Nigerians whose language of instruction at various levels of education was primarily English.

Nigerians, who seek to pursue their studies in foreign universities, are required to take an English proficiency test as a way of measuring their understanding of the language.(SaharaReporters)