"Go Back Home": Nigerian Students, Others Reportedly Deregistered by UK Universities Amid New Law

• Many foreign students, including Nigerians, studying in the UK are reportedly being deregistered by several universities and advised to leave the country
• Benjamin Kuti, president of the Nigerians in UK Community (NIUK), made this known in a post on X
• The development was attributed to late repayments of tuition fees, with suggestions that Nigerian students may face challenges due to FX scarcity and limitations in work hours for part-time jobs
• Some also believe the situation may be influenced by a new immigration law introduced by the UK government

Legit.ng journalist Nurudeen Lawal has years experience covering basic and tertiary education in Nigeria

UK - Foreign students studying in the United Kingdom (UK), including Nigerians, have allegedly been deregistered by many universities and advised to leave the country.

Read also

"Why your visa application was rejected": Lady shares vital info on how to write SOP for study visa

This was disclosed in a post on X on Saturday, December 9, by Benjamin Kuti, the president of the Nigerians in UK Community (NIUK).

The NIUK is a community dedicated to ensuring that no Nigerian relocates or visits the UK without receiving all the necessary assistance to facilitate their integration into the European country.

"So many universities have deregistered students in the UK and advised to leave the country," Kuti who is also known as Oluomo of Derby posted on Twitter.

Why are UK universities deregistering foreign students?

Responding to enquiries on why the UK universities are taking the step, Kuti said it is due to "late repayments of tuition fees".

Another X user, AAW., @vicayz, suggested that many Nigerian students may be having issues with the payment of tuition fees due to the FX scarcity crisis in Nigeria.

Read also

“Agents of change”: Obi reacts as alma mater students win national, regional titles at int'l event

"The exchange rate plus the unavailability of forex through the CBN to pay tuition fees have become an albatross," @vicayz posted.

Mr Chykah, @Iam_Chykah, in his comment, suggested students may also be having issues with tuition payment due to lack of enough work hours.

His words:

"The truth is that it is almost impossible to repay your tuition from the 20hrs a week job you are limited to. Except someone somewhere is paying part of your tuition, you are going to be late in payment. Will people listen? No!"

Sam Ed, @iam_samedoho, a digital strategy consultant, said:

"I saw this coming because of POF (Proof of Fund) and not paying tuition fees. I normally advise people to pay their full tuition or make arrangements before arriving.

"The idea of wanting to work 20 hrs to pay tuition fees isn't sustainable."

The reaction by JJ. Omojuwa, a strategic communications expert, indicates that the development is not unconnected with the immigration law newly introduced by the UK government.

Read also

“The website is almost done”: FG gives new update on student loan, how beneficiaries can apply

"This is so unfair. The least the UK should have done is not let the law apply retrospectively," he said.

"My position doesn’t apply to those who refused to pay their school fees or refused to attend classes despite getting student visas."

Nigerian students, others banned from bringing families to UK

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Rishi Sunak, the UK prime minister, announced some measures to cut down immigration.

In a tweet sighted by Legit.ng, Sunak said immigration to the UK is too high and announced measures to bring it down.

Among others, Sunak announced that the UK government is banning overseas students (Nigerians also to be affected) from bringing their families to the country.

Source: Legit.ng