Teesside University in the United Kingdom (UK) has extended a helping hand to Nigerian students grappling with financial difficulties by announcing plans to fund their flights back home.
The initiative comes in response to the plight of Nigerian students at Teesside University, who were forced off courses and instructed to leave the UK amid a currency crisis that left them unable to meet tuition fees.
The university’s decision to report these students to the Home Office resulted in their expulsion from courses and directives to depart the UK.
However, following widespread protests and intervention by the Nigerian government, Teesside University has reversed course and taken steps to assist affected students.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by these students, a spokesperson for Teesside University revealed to the BBC that the institution has re-enrolled some of the affected students and established a travel fund to support them.
The financial predicament arose when several Nigerian students encountered difficulties in paying tuition fees due to the economic crisis in Nigeria, which depleted their savings.
Additionally, a change in the university’s payment plan exacerbated their financial woes, leading to missed payments and subsequent repercussions.
Reports indicate that a significant portion of Nigerian students, struggling to make ends meet, have turned to local food charities for assistance.
The inability to pay tuition fees resulted in their exclusion from studies and prompted notices from the Home Office mandating their departure from the UK.
Previously, the university cited non-payment of tuition fees as a violation of visa sponsorship terms, compelling them to report affected students to the Home Office.
However, in a reversal of its stance, Teesside University has granted reprieve to some impacted students, allowing them to resume their studies.
Moreover, a relief fund has been established to aid a select group of students with unforeseen travel expenses, facilitating their return to Nigeria.
The university has also extended options to these students, offering the opportunity to continue their studies remotely from Nigeria or defer their return to the UK.
In a statement to the BBC, the university spokesperson affirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting affected students, stating, “We are working with a small group who do need to return to their home country and are opening an international relief fund for this group only to offer additional financial support for these unexpected travel costs.”
Despite these efforts, it is reported that some affected students have initiated legal appeals against the deportation orders issued against them, underscoring the complexity of the situation and the ongoing challenges faced by Nigerian students at Teesside University.