Teesside University in the United Kingdom has announced a new initiative to support Nigerian students facing severe financial difficulties by funding their flights home. This move comes after several students were removed from their courses and ordered to leave the UK due to their inability to pay tuition fees.
The financial crisis in Nigeria, heightened by a shift from a seven-installment to a three-installment payment plan by the university, left many students struggling to cover their expenses. A local food charity reported that 75% of its clients are now Nigerian students, highlighting the extent of their financial hardship.
On May 22, 2024, a group of Nigerian students at Teesside University were expelled from their courses and ordered to leave the United Kingdom due to difficulties in paying their tuition fees on time. The students cited the devaluation of the naira as a significant barrier to meeting their financial obligations, which has led to a breach of their visa sponsorship requirements.
The affected students, numbering 60, expressed deep distress and disappointment, accusing the university of being unsupportive and “heartless.” They urged the university for assistance after witnessing their peers face severe consequences for late payments.
On May 29, 2024, the Federal Government stepped in to address the deportation orders issued against some Nigerian students at Teesside University. A delegation led by a representative of the Nigerian Embassy in the UK, Amb. Christian Okeke, along with leaders of the Nigerian Students Union in the UK, met with the University’s management to seek a resolution.
Following protests and the intervention of the Nigerian government, the university has re-enrolled some affected students and opened a relief fund. The university is also in offering some students the option to complete their studies remotely from Nigeria or to return to the UK at a later date.
According to the BBC, some students have lodged legal appeals.
