Students Protest as UK University Orders Nigerians to Leave Country

Students Protest as UK University Orders Nigerians to Leave Country : A group of Nigerian students at Teesside

University in the UK have staged a protest after the university terminated their programs and ordered them

to leave the country. The students, who were struggling to pay tuition fees due to the devaluation of the naira,

carried placards on campus to express their frustration and disappointment.

The university’s decision was reportedly due to the students’ failure to pay tuition fees on time, which is a

breach of visa sponsorship requirements. However, the students claim that the university took a “heartless” approach to

those who fell into arrears, despite their efforts to communicate and find a solution.

the payment

One student, Adenike Ibrahim, was close to graduating when she missed a payment and was subsequently kicked

out of her course and reported to the Home Office. Despite paying the outstanding fees, she was not re-enrolled and

was told to leave the country, along with her young son.

Other students have shared similar experiences, including Esther Obigwe, who was blocked from her studies and received

notice to leave the country despite repeatedly trying to speak to the university about her financial struggles. Jude Salubri,

who was studying to be a social worker, was midway through a placement when he was told his access to the university

was suspended and he would have to leave the country.

The students are calling for the university to reinstate them and engage more with them to find a solution. They claim that

the university’s strict approach has caused them significant distress and financial hardship, and that they were not given sufficient support or consideration.

the response

The university has responded by saying that it is proud to be a global institution with a diverse student population, but is also

aware of its obligations regarding visa issuance and compliance. It claims to have actively offered bespoke payment plans to

students who are struggling, but some students have still defaulted on these revised payment plans.

The Home Office has also stated that a decision to offer or withdraw visa sponsorship rests with the sponsoring institution, and

that individuals should take steps to regularize their stay or make arrangements to leave the UK if their visa is shortened or cancelled.

The situation has caused significant distress and uncertainty for the affected students, who are now facing the prospect of leaving the

UK without completing their studies. The students are calling for a more compassionate and supportive approach from the university and the Home Office, and are seeking a resolution to this situation as soon as possible.