High Commission to university authorities after the currency crash in Nigeria caused students to be unable to pay for tuition.
The Nigerian High Commission in London has delegated people to meet with Teesside University’s authority to discuss issues concerning a group of students who were expelled from the United Kingdom due to their inability to pay tuition.
The incident was considered a serious diplomatic issue as some Nigerian students were left distressed over their tuition and, in some cases, were suicidal, which is very unpleasant. Others voluntarily withdraw from their courses and are ordered to leave. The Nigerian student population in the United States is about 44,000, and there are fears that the students might look elsewhere.
The founder and head coordinator of the Nigerian Students’ Union, Yemi Soile, accused Teesside University of failing in its career duty. According to Soile, 60 students at Teesside University couldn’t pay for their tuition due to the currency crash. He also added that they had been misled over the repayment, according to Yemi Soile, the Nigerian student at the university, with the understanding that the fees would be paid in seven installments, only to realize that the terms had changed and they had to only three installments to settle the fees.
Sadly, one of the students was left with no option but to sell his house in Nigeria to settle the fees. Unfortunately for the other, they were removed from their courses and given 60 days to leave the United Kingdom.
The university has since apologized, and according to the spokesperson, the affected students were offered mental health support. The institution also arranged a meeting with specialist staff to discuss possible solutions to support the affected students in continuing or completing their courses.
Soile stated that 21 students’ cases have yet to be solved, and there is a likelihood they might return to Nigeria and complete their studies remotely. He added that the case is a serious diplomatic issue. He further added that people have decided to come into the country; some have to sell their property, and they just want them to leave just like that without anything.
The university said it has arranged for a meeting with the Nigerian High Commission after many dialogues with Nigerian agencies. The university spokesperson said multiple communications were sent to students who were unable to make their agreed tuition payments, and they were also offered support on revised payment plans.
In case of withdrawal, the university must report to the Home Office, where a visa cancellation notice might be issued. Only a few students were found in this category, and necessary support has been offered to them while the authorities work on suitable solutions.
The currency crash has affected many Nigerian students in the United Kingdom, not only the students of Teesside University. About 142 institutions in the United Kingdom complained of the financial crisis that Nigerian students faced. In the University of Sussex alone, about 1000 students from Nigeria and others are affected by financial difficulties, but they have warned that they will not be able to graduate or re-register. According to the University of Sussex, no student would be removed from their course over unpaid debts.
According to a UUK spokesperson, they are working on possible solutions, which might include flexible payment terms and fee payment schedules. However, according to visa and immigration rules, universities may need to withdraw their sponsorship if a student cannot complete their course.
