The economic downturn in Nigeria has left many Nigerian students in the United Kingdom struggling to pay tuition fees, with some at Teesside University being blocked from their studies and ordered to return home.
Debbie Fixter, manager at Thornaby’s Sprouts Community Food Charity (SCFC), reported that 75% of their clients are affected students, pushing the charity to “maximum capacity.”
Teesside University stated that it is providing support and emphasized that international applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds when applying for a visa.
SCFC, which offers food, clothing, and household items either for free or at low cost, noted a significant shift in its clientele over recent months, with most visitors now being Nigerian master’s degree students from Teesside University.
Nigeria is currently facing its worst economic crisis in a generation, with the naira depreciating by more than 200% against the dollar in the past year. This has resulted in Nigerian students at UK universities seeing their savings wiped out and their budgets severely strained, making it difficult to afford living expenses.
The BBC recently reported that some students have been ordered to leave the UK after failing to pay their tuition fees on time. Despite this, Teesside University continues to recruit students from Nigeria.
SCFC manager Ms. Fixter highlighted the growing dependence of these students on community charities. “They’re really struggling, they need help, and they’re part of our community,” she said.
Boluwatife Elusakin, a client of SCFC, shared his struggles with the cost of living and studying in the UK. “I’ve had to dive deep into my savings because of the currency crash. It hit my budget hard,” he said. “I’ve had to cut costs and it makes me feel sad, but I hope I can endure just one year and all will be well.”
Ms. Fixter called for more support from Teesside University, noting that while the university had donated £500 in Sainsbury’s vouchers, it was only a “drop in the ocean” compared to the needs of the students.
The university stated that it collaborates with community organizations to direct students to its own support services and has provided vouchers and contributions to aid these organizations. “Teesside University remains a popular destination for students from across the world due to its global reputation for excellence in teaching and research,” a university spokesman said.
The university is offering “case by case” support to those affected by the economic crisis in Nigeria, ensuring that international applicants have the necessary funds for tuition and living costs as part of the visa application process.
