Many Nigerian students at Teesside University in the United Kingdom were forced to stop their studies and return home due to the dramatic devaluation of their country’s currency. A number of students expressed to the BBC their frustration with the university’s intransigent approach to resolving their financial issues. The university scrupulously followed to visa compliance regulations notwithstanding their entreaties and attempts to arrange payment plans. Because non-payment of fees violates the terms of their visa sponsorship, the students’ accounts were blocked and their visas were terminated as a result.
The impacted students said they were in a lot of emotional pain and thought the university was not doing enough to help them. This is in contrast to the institution’s provision of tailored support and adaptable payment plans.
Recent years have seen a considerable devaluation of the Naira as a result of a number of economic issues, such as volatile oil prices, unstable political environments, and poor economic management. Due to the significant decline in the Naira’s value relative to other major currencies, such as the US Dollar and the British Pound, Nigerian families are finding it more and more difficult to pay for their children’s international education. At Teesside University, things got especially bad for Nigerian students. The value of the Naira fell, making the already expensive cost of living and tuition in the UK almost unaffordable. Many students were unable to finish their studies because families who had carefully planned their budgets to finance their children’s study abroad were unable to pay their financial obligations.
Many Nigerian students at Teesside University have opened up about their struggles and setbacks. The dreams of these youngsters, who aspired to greater chances and high-quality education, were suddenly dashed. Due to the devaluation, their families’ contributions from Nigeria could no longer pay for rent, tuition, and other necessities.
Some Nigerian students at Teesside University and other institutions have been forced to drop out of school and return home as a result of the Naira’s depreciation. Universities need to adopt more flexible and compassionate policies, as evidenced by the lack of institutional support during this crisis. It also emphasizes how crucial it is to help Nigerian students studying abroad and their future by means of larger economic and governmental actions.
In order to guarantee that students can pursue their educational objectives without being unduly burdened by financial crises, educational institutions, governments, and communities must collaborate as the global economic environment does. These students’ goals are not merely selfish; they are essential to the future growth and advancement of their native nations.