Several Nigerian students at Teesside University in the UK have been ordered to leave the country after failing to pay their tuition fees, a situation exacerbated by the devaluation of the naira. The financial crisis has depleted their savings, making it impossible for them to meet their financial obligations to the university. According to a BBC report, these students protested on campus on Tuesday in response to the university’s decision to report them to the Home Office.
Initially, the affected students demonstrated sufficient funds for tuition fees and living expenses before commencing their studies at Teesside University. However, when they defaulted on payments, the university reported them to the Home Office. A university spokesperson explained that non-payment of fees violated visa sponsorship requirements, compelling the institution to inform immigration authorities.
The Home Office emphasized that the responsibility for visa sponsorship decisions rests with educational institutions. They informed the students that they could not appeal the decision, as their entry into the UK was based on their enrollment at the university. The students claimed they attempted to arrange payment plans with the university, but their efforts were ignored.
Nigeria is currently experiencing high inflation, which has severely diminished the purchasing power of the naira. Recent policies to introduce new naira notes and allow the market to dictate the currency’s value have further complicated the financial situation for these students.
One student, Adenike Ibrahim, was close to completing her dissertation after two years of study but was expelled and reported to the Home Office after missing a payment. She and her son were ordered to leave the UK. Although Ibrahim paid the outstanding fees, she has not been re-enrolled to complete her studies.
Another student, Esther Obigwe, described experiencing severe distress, leading her to take antidepressants after being forced to withdraw from her course. She expressed her frustration, stating, “For over two months, I’ve barely slept or eaten, and I don’t understand why this is happening to us; we didn’t do anything wrong.”
The situation highlights the broader impact of economic instability in Nigeria on its citizens abroad, particularly students who have invested significant resources in their education. The plight of these students underscores the urgent need for more flexible policies from educational institutions and immigration authorities to accommodate unforeseen financial hardships.