Teesside University has announced a new initiative to assist Nigerian students facing severe financial difficulties by funding their flights home, according to a BBC report on Tuesday.
The university’s move comes in response to the plight of several students who were expelled from their courses and ordered to leave the UK due to unpaid tuition fees. The financial crisis in Nigeria, coupled with the university’s shift from a seven-installment to a three-installment payment plan, has left many students struggling to meet their financial obligations.
A local food charity reported that 75% of its clients are now Nigerian students, underscoring the depth of their financial distress.
On May 22, 2024, a group of Nigerian students at Teesside University were expelled and instructed to leave the country due to late tuition payments, exacerbated by the devaluation of the naira. This financial strain led to breaches in their visa sponsorship requirements, resulting in students being locked out of their university accounts, reported to the Home Office, and mandated to leave the UK.
The university cited strict external regulations as the reason for these actions. However, the affected students, numbering 60, expressed deep distress and disappointment, accusing the university of being unsupportive and “heartless.” They collectively appealed for assistance after witnessing the severe consequences of late payments on their peers.
Following protests and intervention by the Nigerian government, the university has taken steps to address the situation. On May 29, 2024, the Federal Government intervened, addressing the deportation orders with a delegation led by Ambassador Christian Okeke from the Nigerian Embassy in the UK, along with leaders of the Nigerian Students Union in the UK, meeting with the university’s management to seek a resolution.
As a result, Teesside University has re-enrolled some of the affected students and established an international relief fund to cover unexpected travel costs.
“We are working with a small group who need to return to their home country and are opening an international relief fund to offer additional financial support for these unexpected travel costs,” a university spokesperson told the BBC.
Additionally, the university is offering some students the option to complete their studies remotely from Nigeria or to return to the UK at a later date.
Meanwhile, some students have lodged legal appeals, seeking further resolution.
This initiative highlights Teesside University’s commitment to supporting its international students amid challenging circumstances and the broader impacts of global financial instability.
