UK university ejects Nigerian students as they face deportation
Teesside University has ejected some Nigerian students and ordered them to leave the UK, the BBC said. The report said that Nigeria’s currency crisis had left the affected students struggling to pay tuition fees on time. The situation had reportedly wiped out their savings, too.
One of the affected students, Adenike Ibrahim, said that she was close to handing in her dissertation at the end of two years of study and had one payment. The university, in reaction, kicked her off her course and reported to the UK Home Office.
She subsequently paid the outstanding fees, but said she had not been re-enrolled and was told she must leave the country, along with her young son.
“I did default [on payments], but I’d already paid 90% of my tuition fees and I went to all of my classes,” she said.
“I called them and asked to reach an agreement, but they do not care what happens to their students.”
“It has been heartbreaking for my son especially, he has been in so much distress since I told him,” Ms Ibrahim added.
A university spokesman said: “Teesside University is proud to be a global institution with a diverse student population but is also very aware of its obligations regarding visa issuance and compliance.
“These strict external regulations ensure that the university fully supports a robust immigration system and is outside of the university’s control.”
The spokesman added it was “aware of the challenging financial situation faced by some students” and had “actively offered bespoke payment plans where requested”. 
“This option has been taken up by many of our international students; however, some students have still defaulted on these revised payment plans,” he said.
The Home Office said a decision to offer or withdraw visa sponsorship rested with the sponsoring institution.
A spokesman said wherever a visa was shortened or cancelled, individuals should “take steps to regularise their stay or make arrangements to leave the UK”.
-Credit: BBC
