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Naira devaluation: Nigerian students at Teesside University forced to discontinue studies, return home!

The drastic devaluation of Nigeria’s currency and high inflation have significantly affected Nigerian students at Teesside University, forcing many to discontinue their studies and leave the UK due to their inability to pay tuition fees on time.
Despite the students’ pleas and efforts to negotiate payment plans, the university enforced strict visa compliance rules, leading to the students’ accounts being frozen and their visas revoked, as non-payment breaches the conditions of their visa sponsorship.
The affected students reported severe emotional distress and inadequate support from the university, despite the institution’s claim of offering individualized assistance and flexible payment options.
The drastic devaluation of Nigeria’s currency has affected the ability of Nigerian students at Teesside University in the United Kingdom to pay their tuition fees on time.

They have now been forced to discontinue their studies and leave the UK.

Some of these students, devastated by the situation, told the BBC that they felt driven to despair by what they saw as the university’s insensitive handling of their payment difficulties.


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Naira devaluation: Nigerian students at Teesside University forced to discontinue studies, return home
Ngozi Ekugo by Ngozi Ekugo 19 seconds ago
Teesside University , UK
Story Highlights
The drastic devaluation of Nigeria’s currency and high inflation have significantly affected Nigerian students at Teesside University, forcing many to discontinue their studies and leave the UK due to their inability to pay tuition fees on time.
Despite the students’ pleas and efforts to negotiate payment plans, the university enforced strict visa compliance rules, leading to the students’ accounts being frozen and their visas revoked, as non-payment breaches the conditions of their visa sponsorship.
The affected students reported severe emotional distress and inadequate support from the university, despite the institution’s claim of offering individualized assistance and flexible payment options.
The drastic devaluation of Nigeria’s currency has affected the ability of Nigerian students at Teesside University in the United Kingdom to pay their tuition fees on time.

They have now been forced to discontinue their studies and leave the UK.

Some of these students, devastated by the situation, told the BBC that they felt driven to despair by what they saw as the university’s insensitive handling of their payment difficulties.


According to a university spokesperson, non-payment breached the conditions of their visa sponsorship, leaving the university with “no choice” but to inform the Home Office.

The Home Office however clarified that decisions regarding visa sponsorship are the responsibility of the educational institution.

High inflation in Nigeria
The economic downturn in Nigeria, described as the worst in decades, has hit hard, affecting Nigerian students abroad, particularly at some UK universities.

With inflation nearing 30%, and recent government attempts to introduce a new currency exacerbating the situation, the students’ pre-verified funds to cover tuition and living expenses dwindled significantly.

Additionally, changes at the university from a seven-installment tuition fee payment plan to three installments compounded the students’ financial troubles.

Directive to leave the UK.

Before this, he had been commuting from Teesside to Liverpool every weekend to work 18 hours in an effort to clear his outstanding fees.

“As of now I have paid £14,000 and have a balance of £14,000,” he explained.

Salubi expressed his willingness to negotiate a payment plan, stating, “I am willing to come to an agreement as to how I will make this payment, but I need guarantees that I will be re-enrolled into school and my visa restored.”

Several students have managed to settle their outstanding fees; however, Teesside University has been unable to influence the Home Office’s process regarding their visa status.

No right of appeal
The Home Office informed students, including Ms. Ibrahim, that their permission to stay in the UK was revoked because they were no longer enrolled at the university.

According to letters reviewed by the BBC, these students were given a specific departure date and were told that they had no “right of appeal or administrative review against the decision.”

What the university is saying
A university spokesman stated that while Teesside University values its diverse international student body, it must adhere to strict visa issuance and compliance regulations that support the UK’s immigration system and are beyond the university’s control.

The university acknowledged the financial difficulties some students are facing and has offered tailored payment plans, which many international students have accepted. Nonetheless, according to them, some have still failed to meet the requirements of these revised plans.

The Home Office has maintained that decisions regarding visa sponsorship are the responsibility of the educational institution and advises individuals whose visas have been shortened or cancelled to either regularize their stay or arrange to leave the UK.

Culled from work delivered by Ngozi Ekugo

It's getting worse by the day, the present government must keep propaganda aside and employ capable hands to run the economy, if not hardship caused by inflation for the past one year will be like a childs play compared to what's coming.

2aces:
It's getting worse by the day, the present government must keep propaganda aside and employ capable hands to run the economy, if not hardship caused by inflation for the past one year will be like a childs play compared to what's coming.

The issue is not about capable hands, the government itself is clueless and focusing on the wrong things. It is obvious that it is their own turn to plunder the country and not to fix it

I blame influencers and YouTubers who made people believe they can easily work and pay their school fees. Easy in the past but not in these economic times.

Before blaming influencers, we should blame our government first!

A minor inflation won't cause significant harm, but a whopping 100% devaluation will certainly burn fingers!

UK schools needs those students more as most of them are already facing funding crisis, but they gat to stick with the laws made by another immigrant; Rishi Sunak!

The Nigerian Gov certainly contributed to this mess, couple with sky high migration from other Asian countries like India, Pakistan, etc
Jobs can no longer go round!
If Asiwaju is alive to his responsibility, and his is a perfect storm that can lead to Nigeria Economic recovery! But he's a dumb headed drug offender!

BabbanBura:
The issue is not about capable hands, the government itself is clueless and focusing on the wrong things. It is obvious that it is their own turn to plunder the country and not to fix it

It's absolutely going bad for the UK Economy.
Housing crisis.
Job crisis.
Migrants crisis.
Ukrainian crisis.
Now coupled with soon to join Education crisis..... Best any sane person stay away from UK for now!

2aces:
It's getting worse by the day, the present government must keep propaganda aside and employ capable hands to run the economy, if not hardship caused by inflation for the past one year will be like a childs play compared to what's coming.