Teeside University throws out Nigerian students as depreciation of naira affects their ability to pay their fees

BRITAIN'S Teesside University has ruthlessly thrown dozens of Nigerian students out of the campus and ordered them  to leave the UK after a currency crisis left them struggling to pay their tuition fees on time.

In a shocking move, the university authorities stopped the students from continuing their studies and have even reported them to the Home Office after the value of Nigeria's naira plummeted, wiping out their savings. A university spokesman justified the action saying the failure to pay was a breach of visa sponsorship requirements and that it had no choice but to alert the Home Office.

Backing them university up, the Home Office said visa sponsorship decisions rested with the institution, so if it could abort a student's right to remain in the UK. Nigeria is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation, which is having a significant impact on students at some UK universities as the Nigerian naira has depreciated by over 100% against the dollar over a year, affecting all foreign payments.

Inflation is almost 34%, making the naira valueless in international markets, meaning that money set aside to pay fees is no longer sufficient. Some of the affected students said they felt suicidal as they accused the university of taking a heartless approach to those who fell into arrears as a consequence of the currency crisis.

Before beginning their studies at Teesside, affected students were told they had to show proof of having enough funds to pay tuition fees and living expenses. However, those funds were significantly depleted as a result of the crisis in Nigeria, which exacerbated financial problems already being experienced by students as a result of the university changing tuition fee payment plans from seven instalments to three.

A group of students, 60 began pressing the university for support after a number of people who defaulted on payments were frozen out of university accounts and involuntarily withdrew from their courses. Some were reportedly also contacted by debt collection agencies contracted by the university.

Nigerian student Adenike Ibrahim was close to graduating and about to hand in her dissertation at the end of two years of study when she missed one payment and was then kicked off her course and reported to the Home Office. She then had her visa revoked and although she has subsequently paid the outstanding fees, she has not been re-enrolled and was told she must leave the country, along with her young son.

The Home Office told students that their permission to enter the UK had been cancelled because they stopped studying at the university. Since receiving his letter, one masters degree student said he had seriously considered suicide and was not eating or drinking.

Teeside University said it had made every effort to support affected students, who had now been offered individual meetings with specialist staff and bespoke payment plans where requested. However, some affected students have managed to pay off outstanding fees but the university is now unable to intervene in the Home Office process.

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."

He added that the university  was aware of the challenging financial situation faced by some students and had actively offered bespoke payment plans where requested. According to the university, this option has been taken up by many of our international students but some students have still defaulted on these revised payment plans.