Nigerian students in UK protest after their university cut them off for late payment of fees

A group of Nigerian students have protested after their university dropped them from their courses and asked them to leave the United Kingdom for delaying payment of their tuition fees.

BBC reports that the Teesside University students complained that the devaluation of the naira made it difficult for them to pay their tuition fees, leading to a breach of visa sponsorship requirements.

Some students have been prevented from continuing with their studies, reported to the Home Office, and ordered to leave the UK.

The university claims it has no choice but to take this action, citing strict external regulations.

Affected students have expressed their distress and disappointment.

The group of 60 students, who chose to share their names with the BBC, came together to urge the university to offer support after several of their peers faced severe consequences for defaulting on payments.

These students were abruptly locked out of their university accounts and forcibly withdrawn from their courses.

On Tuesday, May 21, the students held a peaceful protest on campus to express their displeasure.

Adenike Ibrahim, a student who was close to graduating, had her visa revoked and was told to leave the country, despite having 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 affected student, has been struggling with depression due to the situation.

She claims she repeatedly tried to speak to the university about her financial struggles but received no response until she was blocked from her studies and served notice to leave the country.

Jude Salubi, a student pursuing a degree in social work, was suddenly informed that his access to the university would be suspended and that he would be required to leave the country, despite being in the middle of a critical placement.

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.