Teesside University in the United Kingdom (UK) has announced plans to support Nigerian students facing financial difficulties by funding their flights home.
This move comes after the university had previously withdrawn sponsorship for several Nigerian students due to non-payment of tuition fees, resulting in their removal from courses and orders to leave the UK.
The economic crisis in Nigeria has depleted these students' savings, and a shift from a seven-installment to a three-installment payment plan by the university has worsened their financial struggles.
As a result, some students missed tuition payments, were barred from their studies and received letters from the Home Office ordering them to leave the UK.
Following protests and the intervention of the Nigerian government, the university has now re-enrolled some affected students and opened a travel fund.
A spokesperson confirmed that a relief fund has been established to assist a small group of students with unexpected travel costs, allowing them to return to Nigeria. The university has also offered some students the option to complete their studies remotely from Nigeria or to return to the UK at a later date.
"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," the spokesman said as quoted by the BBC.
It is reported that some affected students have lodged legal appeals against the decision to deport them.
