A delegation from the Nigerian Federal Government is set to meet with Teesside University officials in the United Kingdom regarding an alleged “unjust deportation order” issued to Nigerian students. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) announced this development on Wednesday.
The issue arose when Nigerian students protested on May 22 after being instructed by the university to leave the UK. The university claimed some students, about 60 in number, had defaulted on their tuition payments.
As earlier reported, the students initially showed proof of funds to cover their tuition and living expenses. However, the financial crisis in Nigeria depleted these funds. Their problem was also compounded by the university’s change from a seven-instalment tuition payment plan to three instalments. This led to several students being unable to meet payment deadlines. The university, in turn, resorted to account freezes, course withdrawals, and involving debt collection agencies.
The NIDCOM Chairperson recently held a virtual meeting with some affected students, during which it was agreed that Ambassador Christian Okeke from the Nigerian High Commission in the UK would lead a delegation to discuss the matter with the university’s management.
The NIDCOM boss urged the students to remain calm and refrain from taking matters into their own hands and called on the university to handle the situation somewhat.
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