Dr. Kelvin Alaneme, a Nigerian medical doctor, has refuted accusations of exploiting citizens by charging high fees for fraudulent UK work visas, asserting that he is simply helping Nigerians secure genuine job opportunities abroad.
An investigation conducted by BBC’s Africa Eye revealed that Alaneme, through his agency CareerEdu, allegedly charged $13,000 for bogus job placements within the UK’s care sector. The investigation included secretly recorded footage showing Alaneme attempting to recruit an undercover journalist as an agent, with promises of significant financial gains.
The scam reportedly took advantage of the UK’s Health and Care Worker visa program, which mandates applicants to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a legitimate employer. The BBC’s inquiry indicated that fraudulent agents, including Alaneme, capitalized on the desperation of job seekers by selling non-existent CoS.
From July 2022 to December 2024, the UK government revoked over 470 care sector licenses, affecting the employment of more than 39,000 foreign medical professionals and care workers. One company, Efficiency for Care, had issued 1,234 CoS, though it was later discovered to have far fewer employees before its sponsorship license was revoked in July 2023.
A Nigerian victim, named Praise, claimed to have paid Alaneme over £10,000 ($13,000) for a care position with Efficiency for Care, only to find out upon arrival that the job was never real.
In his defense, Alaneme denied the accusations, claiming that CareerEdu has successfully assisted more than 5,000 Nigerians in relocating to countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States. He maintained that his agency solely connects qualified candidates with licensed employers and provides refunds to those who are unable to secure jobs.
Alaneme’s supporters have come to his defense, with one former classmate describing him as an intelligent and religious individual who could not possibly be involved in fraudulent activities.
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