UK University Offers Lifeline to Nigerian Students Facing Deportation

A UK university offers substitute assistance to Nigerian students who are in danger of deportation.

Teesside University Offers Emergency Support to Nigerian Students Facing Deportation: New program provides financial assistance for return flights and alternative study options amidst financial struggles and visa sponsorship issues.

On Tuesday, June 11, Teesside University in the United Kingdom unveiled a new program to help Nigerian students who are having a lot of financial troubles by paying for their return flights.

Many students are finding it difficult to pay for their expenditures because of the financial situation in Nigeria, which has been made worse by the university's decision to go from a seven-installment to a three-installment payment plan.

According to a local food charity, students from Nigeria now make up 75% of its clientele, indicating the severity of their financial difficulties.

A group of Nigerian students at Teesside University were ordered to leave the United Kingdom and dismissed from their courses in May because they were unable to pay their tuition fees on time.

The devaluation of the naira was mentioned by the students as a major obstacle to fulfilling their financial obligations, which resulted in a violation of their visa sponsorship requirements.

A number of students had account lockouts, were notified by the Home Office, and were required to depart the United Kingdom.

The institution maintained that these steps were necessary because of stringent external regulations.

Leaders of the Nigerian Students Union in the UK and a delegation from the Nigerian Embassy in the UK, led by Ambassador Christian Okeke, met with the university's administration to try to find a solution.

In response to demonstrations and the Nigerian government's intervention, the institution reenrolled a portion of the impacted students and set up a relief fund.

“We are working with a small group who need to return to their home country and are opening an international relief fund to offer additional financial support for these unexpected travel costs.” university spokesperson said.

Additionally, the university gives some students the choice to finish their coursework remotely from Nigeria or to come back to the UK at a later time.

Furthermore, a few students have filed formal appeals.