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UK varsity expels Nigerian students over unpaid fees
UK varsity expels Nigerian students over unpaid fees
Nigerian students at Teesside University have been forced to leave their courses and face deportation after a currency crisis in Nigeria left them unable to pay their tuition fees on time.
The sharp depreciation of Nigeria’s naira has severely impacted their savings, leading to significant financial hardship.
Some students, speaking to the BBC, expressed feelings of despair and accused the university of being “heartless” in handling their financial difficulties. The university, however, maintained that it had no choice but to report non-paying students to the Home Office, as failure to pay tuition fees breaches visa sponsorship requirements. The Home Office reiterated that visa sponsorship decisions lie with the educational institution.
Nigeria is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation, with average inflation nearing 34%. A recent attempt by the Nigerian president to replace old currency exacerbated the situation, causing the naira to depreciate by over 100% against the dollar within a year. This devaluation has severely depleted the funds students had initially shown to secure their visas and commence their studies.
The financial problems were compounded when Teesside University changed its tuition fee payment plan from seven installments to three, making it even more challenging for affected students to meet their financial obligations. As a result, several students found themselves frozen out of university accounts, involuntarily withdrawn from their courses, and reported to debt collection agencies.
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One such student, Adenike Ibrahim, was close to completing her dissertation after two years of study when she missed a payment. Despite subsequently paying her outstanding fees, she was not re-enrolled and was told she must leave the UK with her young son. “It has been heartbreaking for my son especially,” she said, describing the experience as “horrendous.”
The Home Office letters to students, seen by the BBC, state that their permission to stay in the UK has been canceled due to their cessation of studies, with no right of appeal against the decision. This has led to severe emotional distress among the students, with one anonymous master’s degree student admitting to suicidal thoughts.
Esther Obigwe, another affected student, said she had repeatedly tried to discuss her financial struggles with the university but received no response until she was blocked from her studies and told to leave the country. “I’m a very active student,” she said, now on antidepressants and struggling to eat or sleep due to the stress.
Jude Salubi, studying to be a social worker, was midway through a placement when he was told he would have to leave the UK. Despite working weekends to pay off his fees, he still owed £14,000. “I need guarantees that I will be re-enrolled and my visa restored,” he said.
Teesside University stated that it had made “every effort” to support affected students, offering bespoke payment plans and individual meetings with specialist staff. However, some students still defaulted on these revised plans. The university emphasized its commitment to supporting a robust immigration system, noting that visa issuance and compliance are subject to strict external regulations.
As the Home Office can no longer intervene in the visa process for those who have managed to pay their outstanding fees, the affected students are left in a precarious situation, highlighting the profound impact of Nigeria’s economic crisis on its international students.
UK varsity expels Nigerian students over unpaid fees
(BBC)
News
Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit
Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit
President Bola Tinubu will travel to France today (Wednesday) for a three-day state visit at the instance of the French president.
A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this.
It said, “The Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, promises significant benefits for Nigeria.”
Onanuga said Tinubu and Macron would harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.
“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication,” he added.
“They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.”
The presidential adviser stated that the Nigerian first lady and her French counterpart would discuss solutions for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope initiative.
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Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
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Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
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