On Thursday, the Chair of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, shared that Teesside University in the United Kingdom has adopted a more accommodating payment system.
The national Diaspora Day Celebrations 2024, scheduled for
July 25 in Abuja, were the subject of a press conference held by Dabiri-Erewa.
It is important to note that students are still obligated to
fulfill their financial obligations regarding tuition fees. However, the newly
implemented measures are designed to enhance the manageability and convenience
of the payment process, she said.
In reference to the students who were nearing the completion
of their payments but were requested to depart, Representative Dabiri-Erewa
announced that an accord has been established, permitting them to finalize
their payments and subsequently receive their certificates upon the complete
settlement of all outstanding fees.
“The 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.
The Director-General of NiDCOM also stated that Teesside
University was not the sole institution impacted; numerous other universities
have Nigerian students encountering comparable challenges.
“We are working closely with the student organisations in
the UK and the Nigerian Mission to address these challenges,” she added.
The head of NiDCOM emphasized that economic instability,
security issues, and insufficient living conditions are the main factors
driving the rising migration of Nigerians to other countries.
She noted that the theme for this year’s National Diaspora
Day, “Japa Phenomena and its Implications for National Development,” reflected
growing concerns over the demographic most affected by this migration—Nigeria’s
youth.
“Factors such as economic instability, security concerns,
and inadequate standard of living are ranked high among 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 the youths,”
Dabiri-Erewa noted. “This, in turn, makes a downward turn on labour and
productivity in the country.”
Despite the aforementioned obstacles, Dabiri-Erewa advocated
for a paradigm shift, encouraging Nigerian citizens to adopt a more optimistic
outlook on the current circumstances.
“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.
Additionally, those who are contributing positively to
national development while abroad, as noted by the NiDCOM Boss.
The recent financial crisis in Nigeria, coupled with the
university’s transition from a seven-installment to a three-installment payment
plan, has resulted in significant financial challenges for many students,
impacting their ability to cover their educational expenses.
A local food charity shared that a”significant portion,
approximately 75%, of its clients are currently Nigerian students. This
statistic underscores the substantial financial challenges faced by this
specific demographic.
On May 22, 2024, a cohort of Nigerian students enrolled at
Teesside University encountered challenges in fulfilling their tuition fee
obligations within the stipulated timeframe. Consequently, the university
administration made the difficult decision to terminate their enrollment and
requested their departure from the United Kingdom.
The students identified the depreciation of the naira as a
substantial impediment to fulfilling their financial commitments, resulting in
a violation of their visa sponsorship criteria.
Several students were unable to access their university
accounts. They reported this issue to the Home Office and were subsequently
required to leave the UK. The university stated that these actions were
necessary due to stringent external regulations.
The Impacted students, totaling 60, voiced profound distress
and disappointment, alleging that the university demonstrated a lack of support
and exhibited insensitivity.
In light of observing the serious repercussions faced by
their peers due to delayed payments, they collectively approached the
university to seek assistance and support.
On May 29, 2024, the Federal Government intervened to
address the deportation orders issued to Nigerian students at Teesside
University.
A delegation comprising of a representative from the
Nigerian Embassy in the UK, Ambassador Christian Okeke, and leaders of the
Nigerian Students Union in the UK, convened a meeting with the University’s
management to explore potential solutions.