Representatives from the Nigerian High Commission in London are scheduled to meet with Teesside University officials to address the situation involving a group of students who faced expulsion from the UK due to tuition payment issues.
These Nigerian students experienced distress, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts after being involuntarily withdrawn from their courses. The incident has been labelled a “serious diplomatic issue.”
Nigeria has emerged as a significant market for university recruitment in recent years, with over 44,000 students enrolled in UK institutions during the 2021-22 academic year. However, there are now concerns that prospective students may seek alternatives.
Nigerian Students’ Union Weighs In
Yemi Soile, founder and head coordinator of the Nigerian Students’ Union UK, accused Teesside University of neglecting its duty of care. “Students received inadequate support, and their mental health and well-being were not adequately considered,” he asserted.
Soile revealed that approximately 60 Teesside students fell behind on tuition payments due to currency fluctuations affecting their savings. Furthermore, they were misled about repayment terms. Initially, they believed fees could be spread over seven instalments, only to discover that the terms had changed to three instalments at the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year.
One student even resorted to selling their house in Nigeria to meet their debts. Others, having been removed from their courses, received notifications from UK Visas and Immigration, instructing them to leave the country within 60 days.
Teesside University’s Apology
The university has since issued an apology. A spokesperson stated that affected students have been offered mental health support and individual meetings with specialized staff. Efforts have been made to find solutions allowing them to continue or complete their studies.
Despite these efforts, Soile claims that 21 Teesside students’ cases remain unresolved, potentially requiring them to return to Nigeria and pursue remote studies. “This is a significant diplomatic matter,” he emphasized.
He added, “People have made considerable sacrifices to come here. They’ve sold their properties and left everything behind. Now we’re telling them to return, abruptly, to nothing?”
Teesside University is currently engaged in discussions with various Nigerian agencies and has expressed willingness to meet with representatives from the Nigerian High Commission.
A university spokesperson clarified that students receive multiple communications when they fail to meet tuition payments and are offered support through revised payment plans. However, if withdrawal becomes necessary, the university reports this to the Home Office, which may issue visa cancellation notices. Fortunately, only a small number of students find themselves in this situation, and the university is addressing their cases individually.
Impact of Currency Crisis
Universities UK, representing 142 institutions, acknowledges that many Nigerian students face financial challenges due to the currency crisis that began last year.
Meanwhile, at the University of Sussex, approximately 1,000 students from Nigeria, Iran, and other financially affected countries have been warned that outstanding debts could impact their ability to graduate or re-register for the next academic year. Sussex has assured that no students will be removed from courses this year due to unpaid debts, but a deadline of May 31 has been set for reviewing the situation and communicating next steps to students.
A spokesperson for Universities UK emphasized that universities are working closely with students during these difficult circumstances. They aim to understand individual situations and provide assistance, including flexible fee payment schedules, deferred enrolments, or deposit refunds for prospective students whose studies are no longer feasible. 🌟