Teesside University in the United Kingdom has compelled several Nigerian students to abandon their studies due to their inability to pay tuition fees, stemming from foreign exchange shortages.
Reports indicate that the affected students were instructed by the university to discontinue their studies and depart from the UK. This decision came after the plummeting value of Nigeria’s currency, the naira, eroded their savings, rendering them incapable of meeting their financial obligations.
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), some students expressed feelings of despair, even contemplating suicide, as they accused the university of displaying a “heartless” attitude towards those facing financial difficulties.
A university spokesman defended the institution’s actions, citing visa sponsorship requirements and emphasizing that failure to pay tuition fees constituted a breach of these regulations. Consequently, the university had no choice but to notify the Home Office of the students’ non-compliance.
The economic crisis in Nigeria, characterized by soaring inflation rates, exacerbated the financial strain on Nigerian students studying abroad. Before commencing their studies at Teesside, these students were required to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses. However, the currency crisis significantly depleted their financial resources.
Despite efforts by some students to negotiate payment plans with the university, many found themselves frozen out of university accounts, withdrawn from their courses, and contacted by debt collection agencies.
Individuals like Adenike Ibrahim, who had almost completed her dissertation, found themselves abruptly removed from their courses and reported to the Home Office after missing a single payment.
The university, while acknowledging the financial challenges faced by some students, asserted its commitment to supporting them by offering individual meetings with specialized staff and customized payment plans.
However, students like Esther Obigwe expressed frustration over their unsuccessful attempts to communicate with the university regarding their financial struggles before being blocked from their studies.
Jude Salubi, another affected student, highlighted the arduous efforts he made to settle outstanding fees, only to face suspension from the university and the prospect of deportation.
Teesside University maintained that it was obligated to comply with strict immigration regulations, which governed visa sponsorship. The Home Office reiterated that decisions regarding visa sponsorship were at the discretion of sponsoring institutions.
As the situation unfolds, affected students continue to grapple with uncertainty and distress, seeking avenues to resolve their predicament and resume their studies.
