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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 As a result, several students found themselves frozen out of university accounts, involuntarily withdrawn from their courses, and reported to debt collection agencies.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 not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
President Bola Tinubu has been accused of not being forthright about the true state of Nigeria under his administration.
Former Jigawa State Governor and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Sule Lamido, made the accusation while speaking on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mini Hanya.
Lamido criticized both Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as a lack of transparency in governance.
“Buhari’s and Tinubu’s governments are not being transparent with Nigerians unlike during the time when PDP was in power where everything was transparent and open to all Nigerians,” Lamido said.
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He accused the two administrations of relying on propaganda rather than providing citizens with accurate information.
Lamido also expressed concerns over President Tinubu’s recent loan requests, questioning the logic behind them. “If Nigerians are being told the truth then there is nothing wrong with that, but how would you budget N30tn, generate N50tn and then request loan when you have a surplus of N20tn,” he said, referencing last year’s budget.
He described the situation as “reckless” and “selfish,” adding, “This recklessness and clear-cut selfishness is not done anywhere in the world, but yet you find (some) Nigerians supporting it. Visit social media and see how APC is being criticised, being referred to as calamity, yet you find some protecting it.”
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
News
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of its recruitment exercise, assuring Nigerians that the process is entirely free and fair.
The agency has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit unsuspecting applicants during the recruitment period.
Applications are invited for positions in the Superintendent, Inspector, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of the Service’s plan to recruit 3,927 officers in 2025.
This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.
“Our recruitment is entirely free and fair. At no stage do we charge fees. Anyone requesting payment is a scammer,” the agency emphasized, urging applicants to be wary of fraudulent schemes.
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The NCS outlined eligibility criteria, stating that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and have no criminal record or ongoing investigations.
Academic qualifications for the three cadres are as follows:
Superintendent Cadre: A university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) along with an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.
Inspectorate Cadre: A National Diploma (ND) or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from an accredited institution.
Customs Assistant Cadre: At least an O’Level certificate (WAEC or NECO).
In addition to these qualifications, the NCS stressed that all applicants must be physically and mentally fit, providing evidence of medical fitness from a recognized government hospital.
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
News
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
President Bola Tinubu on Monday unequivocally responded to critics who described his cabinet as “bloated” by saying he is unprepared to reduce the size of his 48-man cabinet.
“I am not ready to shrink” the size of my cabinet, Tinubu said during a media chat at his Bourdillon residence in the highbrow Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” the former Lagos governor said, arguing that “efficiency” has been at the core of his selection of ministers.
The president also said he has no regret removing the petrol subsidy in May 2023, saying Nigeria cannot continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries.
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“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy. We are spending our future, we were just deceiving ourselves, that reform was necessary,” he told reporters.
Tinubu appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration. The Senate immediately screened and confirmed the ministers. One of the ministers, Betta Edu, was suspended in January while another, Simon Lalong, moved to the Senate.
There were calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet as many Nigerians have not been impressed by the performance of some of the ministers, especially in the face of unprecedented inflation, excruciating economic situation and rising insecurity.
In October 2024, Tinubu re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation. He also sacked five of his ministers but critics insist that the President’s cabinet remains large, especially with the creation of a Livestock Ministry with a minister.
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
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