The Teesside University in the United Kingdom has implemented a more compassionate payment method for Nigerian students, according to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
Dabiri-Erewa stated that while students are still required to pay their fees, the new arrangements aim to make the process more manageable.
For those students who were near completion of their payments and were asked to leave, an agreement has been reached allowing them to finish their payments and receive their certificates once all fees are settled.
The financial crisis in Nigeria, exacerbated by a shift from a seven-installment to a three-installment payment plan by the university, had left many Nigerian students struggling to cover their expenses.
On May 22, 2024, a group of 60 Nigerian students at Teesside University were ordered to leave the United Kingdom due to difficulties in paying their tuition fees on time.
The affected students cited the devaluation of the Nigerian naira as a significant barrier to meeting their financial obligations, leading to a breach of their visa sponsorship requirements. They expressed deep distress and disappointment, accusing the university of being unsupportive and "heartless".
In response, the Federal Government stepped in on May 29, 2024, with a delegation led by a representative of the Nigerian Embassy in the UK, Amb. Christian Okeke, and leaders of the Nigerian Students Union, to seek a resolution with the university's management.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that Teesside University was not the only institution affected, as many other universities have Nigerian students facing similar issues.
She highlighted economic instability, security concerns, and inadequate living standards as the primary drivers behind the increasing migration of Nigerians abroad, particularly affecting the country's youth.
