Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), announced on Thursday that Teesside University in the United Kingdom has implemented a more flexible payment method for Nigerian students.
This announcement was made during a press conference in Abuja ahead of the National Diaspora Day Celebrations 2024, scheduled for July 25.
Dabiri-Erewa explained that although students are still required to pay their fees, the new arrangement aims to make the payment process more manageable. For students who were nearing completion of their payments but were asked to leave, an agreement has been reached to allow them to finish their payments and receive their certificates once all fees are settled.
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“Teesside University has come up with a more compassionate payment method. The students are going to pay their fees. It is not charity, but they have devised ways that can be a bit more convenient. For those who were almost done with payment and were told to leave, they agreed that they would pay their fees but would not receive their certificate until they completed their payment,” she explained.
Dabiri-Erewa, the chairman of NiDCOM also noted that Teesside University is not the only institution where Nigerian students face financial challenges. She mentioned that NiDCOM is working closely with student organizations in the UK and the Nigerian Mission to address these issues.
Dabiri-Erewa highlighted that economic instability, security concerns, and inadequate living standards are the primary reasons behind the increasing migration of Nigerians abroad. She pointed out that the theme for this year’s National Diaspora Day, “Japa Phenomena and its Implications for National Development,” reflects growing concerns about the youth demographic most affected by this migration.
“Factors such as economic instability, security concerns, and an inadequate standard of living are ranked highly among the reasons for the exodus of Nigerians abroad. The consequence of this phenomenon is the decline of strong human resources because most of the Nigerians relocating are youths. This, in turn, makes a downward turn on labour and productivity in the country,” Dabiri-Erewa noted.
Despite these challenges, Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians to see the positive side of the situation. “We have to turn our lemons into lemonade. Today, we change the story by celebrating those vibrant Nigerians who are making positive impacts in the Diaspora and making the country very proud. Also, those who, while abroad, are contributing positively to national development,” she stated.
The financial crisis in Nigeria, worsened by Teesside University’s shift from a seven-installment to a three-installment payment plan, has left many students struggling to cover their expenses. A local food charity reported that 75% of its clients are now Nigerian students, highlighting their financial hardship.
On May 22, 2024, a group of Nigerian students at Teesside University were expelled from their courses and ordered to leave the United Kingdom due to difficulties in paying their tuition fees on time. The students cited the devaluation of the naira as a significant barrier to meeting their financial obligations, leading to a breach of their visa sponsorship requirements.
Several students found themselves locked out of their university accounts, reported to the Home Office, and mandated to leave the UK. The university maintained that strict external regulations necessitated these actions.
The affected students, numbering 60, expressed deep distress and disappointment, accusing the university of being unsupportive and “heartless.” They banded together to urge the university for assistance after witnessing their peers face severe consequences for late payments.
In response, the Federal Government intervened on May 29, 2024, to address the deportation orders issued against some Nigerian students at Teesside University. A delegation led by Amb. Christian Okeke, a representative of the Nigerian Embassy in the UK, along with leaders of the Nigerian Students Union in the UK, met with the university’s management to seek a resolution.
