In a troubling turn of events, Nigerian students studying at Teesside University in the UK have been forced to leave their courses and the country due to a currency crisis that has left them unable to pay their tuition fees on time.
The students, already struggling with depleted funds as a result of Nigeria’s economic crisis, were blocked from their studies and reported to the Home Office.
The university defended its actions, stating that failure to pay tuition fees was a breach of visa sponsorship requirements, leaving them with no choice but to alert the Home Office. The current economic situation in Nigeria, with inflation rates skyrocketing to almost 34%, has exacerbated the financial challenges faced by these students. The value of the Nigerian naira depreciated over 100% against the dollar in just a year, further worsening the students’ financial struggles.
Affected students, who were required to provide proof of sufficient funds before commencing their studies at Teesside, found themselves in arrears due to the economic crisis in their home country. The university’s decision to change tuition fee payment plans from seven installments to three only added to the students’ financial burden.
Despite efforts by some students to pay off outstanding fees, the university is now unable to intervene in the Home Office process. Students like Adenike Ibrahim, who was close to completing her studies, have been left in despair after being forced out of their courses and the country.
The university claims to have offered support to affected students, with bespoke payment plans and individual meetings with staff. However, for students like Jude Salubi, the situation remains dire as they face the prospect of leaving their courses and the UK.
The Home Office reiterated that decisions to offer or withdraw visa sponsorship rest with the sponsoring institution, leaving these students in a precarious position. With no right of appeal against the decision, many students are left feeling hopeless and abandoned by both the university and the Home Office.
As the affected students struggle to come to terms with their situation, it is clear that more needs to be done to support them during this challenging time. The stories of these Nigerian students serve as a stark reminder of the impact of economic crises on international students studying abroad.
