Nigerian students in UK battle expulsion threat over naira crisis

According to the BBC, a group of Nigerian students who struggled to make tuition payments on time were expelled from their university studies and given orders to leave the United Kingdom.

The devaluation of the naira, the students at Teesside University bemoaned, making it harder for them to pay for their tuition, which resulted in a violation of the conditions for a visa sponsor.

Some of the students were thus asked to leave the UK, reported to the Home Office, and had their access to their education blocked.

Citing stringent external rules, the university contended that it was left with no option but to take this step.
Nonetheless, the impacted students have communicated their anguish and dissatisfaction, believing that the university was acting in a “heartless” manner and failing to offer sufficient assistance.

The 60 students, who choose to provide their names to the BBC, came together to request assistance from the university after many of their classmates were severely penalised for not making payments.

These students' university accounts were suddenly locked, and they were taken out of their classes by force.
Adenike Ibrahim, a student who was on the verge of graduating, had her visa revoked and was instructed to leave the country even though she had already paid 90% of her tuition.

"I went to all of my classes and I had paid 90% of my tuition fees, so I did not default on payments," she told the BBC.

They don't give a damn about what happens to their pupils, despite my calls to them asking us to come to an agreement.

Ibrahim went on, "It has been heartbreaking, especially for my son, who has been in so much distress since I told him."

Esther Obigwe, another impacted student, has been experiencing despair as a result of the circumstances.
She said that despite her numerous attempts to contact the institution regarding her financial difficulties, she never heard back until her studies were suspended and she was given notice to leave the nation.

"I attended all of my classes and seminars; I'm a really active student," Obigwe declared. It is depressing since, despite taking antidepressants, I am alone here and have no one to talk to.I haven't eaten or slept for more than two months, and I don't understand why we are being treated badly because we did nothing wrong.

Jude Salubi, a social work student, was abruptly told—while he was in the middle of a crucial placement—that his access to the university would be revoked and that he would have to leave the nation.

Salubi said that he worked eighteen hours a week while commuting from Teesside to Liverpool in an effort to pay his arrears.

I have already paid £14,000 and have £14,000 left over. He added, "I need assurances that I will be re-enrolled in school and that my visa will be reinstated. I am willing to settle on how I will make this payment.

According to a university representative, Teesside University is conscious of its responsibilities with regard to visa issuance and compliance, even though it is a proud worldwide university with a varied student body.

"The institution firmly supports a strong immigration system, which is outside the university's control thanks to these stringent external regulations.”

The official admitted that the institution had proactively given bespoke payment plans to those who had sought them, in recognition of the financial difficulties that certain students were facing.