London, UK – May 22, 2024: Nigerian students at Teesside University staged a protest following directives from university authorities that they leave the United Kingdom, citing allegations of default on tuition payments. The protest highlighted the financial difficulties faced by the students due to fluctuations in the naira.
In response to the protest, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) announced on Wednesday that a delegation from the Federal Government of Nigeria would meet with officials of Teesside University to address the alleged “unjust deportation order” issued to some Nigerian students. The delegation will be led by Christian Okeke, a representative of the Nigerian High Commission in the UK, alongside Yemi Soile, President of the Nigerian Students Union UK.
The decision to send a delegation follows a virtual meeting held last Sunday between the NIDCOM chair, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and several affected students. During the meeting, the students shared their grievances and financial challenges, which have been exacerbated by Teesside University’s recent change in tuition fee payment structure from seven instalments to three.
Dabiri-Erewa assured the students that the Nigerian government is committed to finding an amicable resolution to the issue. “I’m sending a delegation from the Nigerian government. They’ll also tell us why they are doing what they’re doing. We’re not saying you’re not going to pay, but we’re saying they cannot destroy or disrupt your studies in the middle,” she said in a short video recording of the meeting.
NIDCOM has called on the students to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands, urging Teesside University to treat the students fairly and consider their financial predicament. The commission also emphasized that the students should not be penalized unfairly for financial difficulties that are largely due to economic factors beyond their control.
The plight of the Nigerian students at Teesside University underscores the broader challenges faced by international students during periods of economic instability. The Federal Government’s intervention aims to ensure that the students can continue their education without the threat of deportation and that their financial issues are addressed with compassion and fairness.