Skip to main content

Dozens of Nigerian students withdrawn from UK varsity over unpaid tuition

The university stated that the decision had become necessary due to stringent external regulations.

At least 60 Nigerian students at Teesside University have been expelled from their courses and instructed to leave the United Kingdom after failing to pay their tuition fees on time.

According to the BBC, the students attribute their financial difficulties to the devaluation of the naira.

They said this had impeded their ability to meet payment deadlines and consequently led to a breach of visa sponsorship conditions.

Regrettably, these students have been forced to halt their studies, reported to the Home Office, and are now under orders to leave the UK.

The university asserts that it must take this measure due to stringent external regulations.

The impacted students voiced their anguish and frustration, accusing the university of being “heartless” and failing to offer sufficient assistance.

A cohort of 60 students, who disclosed their identities to the BBC, united to press the university for support after several of their peers faced harsh repercussions for missing payments.

These students were suddenly denied access to their university accounts and removed from their courses.

Affected students recount ordeal

Adenike Ibrahim, a nearly-graduated student, had her visa cancelled and was ordered to leave the country, even though she had already paid 90% of her tuition fees.

“I did default (on payments), but I’d already paid 90% of my tuition fees, and I went to all of my classes,” she told BBC.

“I called them and asked to reach an agreement, but they do not care what happens to their students.

“It has been heartbreaking for my son especially, he has been in so much distress since I told him,” Ibrahim added.

Esther Obigwe, another student impacted by the situation, has been battling depression.

She says she made multiple attempts to discuss her financial difficulties with the university but got a reply when she was barred from continuing her studies and was ordered to leave the country.

Obigwe said: “I attended all of my classes and seminars, I’m a hell of an active student.

“It is disheartening, I am now on antidepressants and being here alone, I have nobody to talk to.

“For over two months, I’ve barely eaten or slept, and I don’t understand why this is being meted at us; we didn’t do anything wrong.”

Jude Salubi, a social work student, received unexpected news that his university access would be revoked and that he would need to leave the country, even though he was in a critical placement.

Salubi mentioned that he travelled from Teesside to Liverpool every weekend, working 18 hours to pay off his remaining fees.

“As of now, I have paid £14,000 and have a balance of £14,000.

“I am willing to come to an agreement as to how I will make this payment, but I need guarantees that I will be re-enrolled into school and my visa restored,” he said.

The main university building, the Middlesborough Tower can be seen in the background. The university was initially opened in 1930 as a technical college. [Getty Images]
The main university building, the Middlesborough Tower can be seen in the background. The university was initially opened in 1930 as a technical college. [Getty Images]

University management responds

A university spokesman said: “Teesside University is proud to be a global institution with a diverse student population but is also very aware of its obligations regarding visa issuance and compliance.

“These strict external regulations ensure that the university fully supports a robust immigration system and is outside of the university’s control.”

The spokesperson stated that the university recognises the financial difficulties some students are experiencing and has proactively provided tailored payment plans for those who have asked for assistance.

“This option has been taken up by many of our international students; however, some students have still defaulted on these revised payment plans,” he said.

The Home Office has stated that the authority to grant or revoke visa sponsorship rests with the sponsoring organisations.

A spokesperson informed the BBC that if a visa is delayed or revoked, individuals should either regularise their immigration status or prepare to leave the UK.

ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Okpebholo suspends A-G & LG Chair under 3 months over finance dealings

The Edo Government has announced the suspension of Samson Osagie , its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Damian Lawani , chairman of the Local Government Service Commission. Mr Musa Ikhilor , Secretary to the State Government (SSG) announced the suspension in a statement in Benin on Thursday morning. ALSO READ: Kano Govt suspend 2 school principals for alleged absenteeism, negligence Ikhilor said the two-state top officials were suspended over allegations of “grave official and financial interactions”. Okpebholo suspends Edo Attorney-General and LG Service Commission Chairman According to him, the suspension, which takes immediate effect, is pending the conclusion of an investigation into the allegations. The SSG said; It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that Gov. Monday Okpebholo has approved the suspension from office of the Chairman of Edo Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Os...

Tinubu appoints MKO Abiola's son, Jamiu as SSA on Linguistics & Foreign Matters

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jamiu Abiola as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters. The appointee is one of the children of the late Chief Moshood Kolawole Abiola , the winner of the 1993 presidential election annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida . According to a statement by Segun Imohiosen , the Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, Jamiu's appointment took effect from November 14, 2024. Imohiosen said the appointment aligns with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended. Until his recent deployment, the appointee served as the Special Assistant to the President of Special Duties in the office of the Vice President. Tinubu tasked Jamiu to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new ...

Protesters block East-West road in Rivers, demand action on poverty & hunger

The protesters chose to spotlight the East-west road in the expression of their anger over hunger, poverty and infrastructure deficit in the supposed viable business area. The ongoing nationwide protest, on Monday, spread to the Eleme/Onne section of the East/West Road of Rivers as a large crowd of protesters stormed the popular section connecting the Port Harcourt refineries. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Akpajo axis of the East-West Road, up to the entrance leading to Indorama Petrochemicals, was taken over by angry protesters, who disrupted free vehicular movements. The East-west road is a major route connecting Port Harcourt city to key business facilities, like the Onne seaport, Port Harcourt refineries, Indorama Petrochemicals and more than six Local Government Areas of the state. The protesters, who carried on their activities peacefully, displayed placards with inscriptions, expressing dissatisfaction over the pervasive poverty, hunger and high cost of ...