Teesside University in the United Kingdom has introduced a more compassionate payment method for Nigerian students, as announced by the Federal Government. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, stated this during a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, ahead of the National Diaspora Day Celebrations 2024 scheduled for July 25.
The financial crisis in Nigeria, exacerbated by the university’s shift from a seven-installment to a three-installment payment plan, has left many students struggling to cover their expenses. On May 22, 2024, a group of Nigerian students at Teesside University were ordered to leave the United Kingdom due to difficulties in paying their tuition fees on time.
The students cited the devaluation of the naira as a significant barrier to meeting their financial obligations, leading to a breach of their visa sponsorship requirements. Several students found themselves locked out of their university accounts, reported to the Home Office, and mandated to leave the UK. The university maintained that strict external regulations necessitated these actions.
Affected students, totaling around 60, expressed distress and disappointment, accusing the university of being unsupportive and “heartless.” They united in urging the university for assistance after witnessing their peers face severe consequences for late payments.
On May 29, 2024, the Federal Government intervened to address the deportation orders issued against some Nigerian students at Teesside University. A delegation led by Amb. Christian Okeke, a representative of the Nigerian Embassy in the UK, along with leaders of the Nigerian Students Union in the UK, met with the university’s management to seek a resolution.
Providing updates on the intervention outcome, Dabiri-Erewa noted that while students are still required to pay their fees, the new arrangements aim to make the process more manageable. For students who were near completion of their payments and were asked to leave, an agreement was reached allowing them to finish their payments and receive their certificates once all fees are settled.
“Teesside University has come up with a more compassionate payment method. The students are going to pay their fees. It is not charity, but they have devised ways that can be a bit more convenient,” she explained.
Dabiri-Erewa also mentioned that Teesside University was not the only institution affected, as many other universities have Nigerian students facing similar issues. “We are working closely with the student organizations in the UK and the Nigerian Mission to address these challenges,” she added.
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