Delegates from the Nigerian High Commission in London are scheduled to meet with Teesside University officials to address the treatment of Nigerian students who were expelled from the UK for failing to pay their tuition. These students experienced significant distress, with some becoming suicidal after being involuntarily withdrawn from their courses and ordered to leave, which has been labeled a “serious diplomatic issue.”
In recent years, Nigeria has emerged as a burgeoning market for university enrollment, with over 44,000 students enrolled at UK institutions in 2021-22. However, there are concerns that potential students may now seek educational opportunities elsewhere.
Yemi Soile, the Nigerian Students’ Union UK founder, accuses Teesside University of neglecting student welfare. Soile alleges lack of support for students’ mental health and financial well-being, with approximately 60 students facing financial challenges due to a currency crash impacting their savings.
Furthermore, students were allegedly misinformed about tuition fee repayment plans, leading to difficulties in meeting payment deadlines. This resulted in severe consequences for some students, including selling property in Nigeria and potential deportation by UK Visas and Immigration.
The university issued an apology, stating that affected students have been provided with mental health assistance and one-on-one sessions with specialized personnel. Efforts have been made to find solutions to enable these students to either continue or finish their studies.
However, Soile reported that there are still 21 Teesside students whose situations remain unresolved, possibly requiring them to return to Nigeria and complete their studies online.
“This is a serious diplomatic issue,” he said.
He added: “People have decided to come all the way here. They sell their properties, they leave everything, and then we’re telling them to go back, just like that, to nothing?”
A university spokesperson clarified that students who can’t pay tuition get multiple messages and help with new payment plans. Cutting off student access is a last resort. If it happens, the university must tell the Home Office, which might cancel their visa. Only a few students are in this situation, and the university is helping them one by one.
Universities UK, which speaks for 142 institutions, said lots of Nigerian students are having money problems because of last year’s currency crisis. At the University of Sussex, about 1,000 students from Nigeria, Iran, and other countries with financial issues were warned they might not graduate or sign up for the next year if they don’t pay what they owe.
Sussex assured no students would be removed due to unpaid debts this academic year. They set a May 31 deadline for review and further communication. UUK said universities are flexible with fees and offer support but may withdraw sponsorship as a last resort due to visa rules.
