Nigerian students at Teesside University have taken to protesting on campus after the institution expelled them and ordered their departure from the United Kingdom. 

The BBC reported that the university’s action stems from these students’ inability to pay tuition fees on time, a situation attributed to the severe devaluation of Nigeria’s currency, the naira, which has drastically affected their financial stability. On Tuesday morning, the students carried placards to voice their frustrations, accusing the university of taking a “heartless” approach to those who fell into arrears.

The root of the problem lies in Nigeria’s forex crisis, which has seen the naira’s value plummet. This devaluation wiped out the savings of many Nigerian students, making it difficult for them to meet their financial obligations. 

Teesside University responded by reporting these students to the Home Office, leading to their suspension from studies and the revocation of their visa sponsorships. The university defended its actions, stating that non-payment of fees constituted a breach of visa sponsorship requirements, which left them no choice but to alert immigration authorities.

According to the report, many affected students expressed feelings of despair and hopelessness, with some even considering suicide. Adenike Ibrahim, one of the students close to completing her studies, shared her distressing experience. After missing a single payment, she was expelled from her course and reported to the Home Office despite having paid 90% of her tuition fees. Despite settling her arrears, she was not re-enrolled and was instructed to leave the UK along with her young son.

“I did default [on payments], but I’d already paid 90% of my tuition fees and I went to all of my classes,” said Ibrahim. “I called them and asked to reach an agreement, but they do not care what happens to their students.” She described the experience as “horrendous,” noting that the uncertainty surrounding her qualification and the impact on her son was particularly heartbreaking. “It has been heartbreaking for my son especially, he has been in so much distress since I told him,” she added.

Other students echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the severe emotional and psychological toll the situation has taken on them. One master’s degree student, who chose to remain anonymous, said he had seriously considered suicide and was not eating or drinking after receiving a letter from the Home Office stating that his permission to enter the UK had been canceled due to his cessation of studies. 

The Role of Nigeria’s Forex Crisis

The Nigerian forex crisis has had a devastating impact on the students’ ability to finance their education. Before beginning their studies, students were required to provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses. However, the unexpected and severe devaluation of the naira significantly depleted these funds. This economic instability in Nigeria is part of a broader financial crisis affecting many Nigerians both at home and abroad. The crisis has led to skyrocketing inflation and a sharp increase in the cost of living, further compounding financial difficulties.

At home, Nigerians are facing increased prices for basic goods and services, making it harder for families to support students studying abroad. The cost of imported goods has surged, and businesses are struggling to maintain operations due to the higher costs of imported raw materials. 

The economic challenges have led to widespread financial strain, impacting everything from household budgets to the ability of businesses to sustain operations and employment. As of Wednesday, the naira traded at N1,851.761 against the British pound.

Impact of UK Immigration Law

Compounding the students’ difficulties is the newly introduced UK immigration law, which has tightened regulations around visa sponsorship. This law mandates that educational institutions must report any breaches of visa conditions, including non-payment of tuition fees. Teesside University stated it had “no choice” but to alert the Home Office when students fell into arrears, as failure to pay is considered a breach of visa sponsorship requirements.

A university spokesperson said, “Teesside University is proud to be a global institution with a diverse student population but is also very aware of its obligations regarding visa issuance and compliance. These strict external regulations ensure that the university fully supports a robust immigration system and is outside of the university’s control.”

In response to the growing crisis, a group of 60 students petitioned the university for support. Despite some managing to pay off their outstanding fees, the university indicated it could no longer intervene in the Home Office process once students were reported. 

The university claimed to have made “every effort” to support the students, including offering individual meetings with specialist staff and bespoke payment plans. However, many students reported receiving little to no support from the university, leading to their academic and financial distress.

“I attended all of my classes and seminars, I’m a hell of an active student,” she said. “It is disheartening, I am now on antidepressants and being here alone, I have nobody to talk to. For over two months, I’ve barely eaten or slept, and I don’t understand why this is being meted out to us; we didn’t do anything wrong,” Esther Obigwe said about her experience trying to seek help from the university. She expressed her embarrassment and reluctance to inform her family about her predicament.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has proposed the appointment of an Adhoc Mediation Committee to persuade Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the three member states that withdrew from the regional bloc earlier this year, to reconsider their decision and rejoin the ECOWAS community. 

The Acting Speaker of the Parliament, Barau Jibrin, announced this initiative during the opening of the 2024 Second Extraordinary Session of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament in Kano State.

Jibrin, who is also the Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, emphasized the need for a strong and united regional bloc. To facilitate this goal, he proposed the establishment of an Adhoc Mediation Committee tasked with engaging stakeholders in the affected countries and promoting dialogue to resolve conflicts and restore unity.

“I will, in consultation with my colleagues on the Bureau, be proposing the appointment of an Ad hoc Mediation Committee whose mandate will be to work with all stakeholders in getting our brothers to rescind their decision and come home and work towards promoting dialogue with a view to resolving conflicts in the region. It’s no doubt that we are stronger and there is absolutely no alternative to our collective aspirations of a united, peaceful and secure ECOWAS,” he said.

Jibrin’s proposal follows the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS after being suspended from the bloc due to coup d’état incidents. Despite calls for a return to democratic rule, the three countries, led by the junta, opted to form a new confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). 

The countries were suspended from the regional bloc for carrying out a coup d’état last year that usurped their respective constituted governments from power. Jibrin’s announcement adds to the Parliament’s earlier proactive approaches to addressing this rift and fostering reconciliation within the region.

The ECOWAS Parliament’s extraordinary session aims to deliberate on pressing regional issues and provide fresh perspectives on promoting peace, security, and stability. Jibrin highlighted the Parliament’s role in promoting democracy, checks and balances, and accountability within the ECOWAS community. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Parliament and the ECOWAS Commission to strengthen regional security and development initiatives.

He said: “As the Parliament looks towards facilitating the promotion of democracy, checks and balances, as well as accountability in the ECOWAS Community, having a strong ECOWAS Parliament is indispensable. I have had the esteemed honor of leading this Parliament for barely two months and I have concluded that much needs to be done in terms of asserting the independence of the Parliament in the exercise of its important roles of parliamentary oversight and representation.

“There is, also, a compelling need to build strong collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission and undertake joint initiatives aimed at strengthening regional security and advancing development. While it is true that each institution has its unique prerogatives, the fact remains that there exist cross-cutting issues that are best addressed with enhanced collaboration among the community institutions.”

Jibrin also addressed the absence of the Togolese delegation in the Parliament, noting efforts to ensure their representation and uphold the institution’s integrity. He announced the impending inauguration of the Togolese delegation, which is expected to contribute to the Parliament’s mandate.

Insights and Recommendations from Members

Sen. Ali Ndume, a seasoned member of the regional parliament, expressed optimism about the mediation efforts, noting that the conditions for the returning members to rejoin the ECOWAS fold are now favorable. He emphasized the importance of addressing past grievances and fostering reconciliation to rebuild trust among member states.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State highlighted critical regional challenges, including citizenship issues, security threats, environmental concerns, and economic development. He urged the Parliament to prioritize initiatives that enhance regional integration, combat illicit activities, and promote economic growth.

Government Support and Collaboration

The Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the ECOWAS Parliament and fostering regional integration. He noted the Parliament’s role in engaging member countries experiencing unconstitutional changes of government and promoting cooperation among ECOWAS institutions.

Tuggar stated, “We need to collaborate with all organs and institutions within the ECOWAS. You have at your disposal so many instruments to use for you to achieve that.”

He described the hosting of the regional meeting in the commercial city of Kano as important as it will greatly bridge the gap between the citizens and the regional community.

While the ECOWAS Parliament’s proactive measures to mediate the reintegration of member states demonstrate its commitment to preserving regional unity and stability, there is doubt that its efforts will yield the expected results. This is because the aggrieved member states seem unwavering in their determination to form a new confederation as well as alliances with Russia as a figurehead. This determination, underscored by the growing apathy for France’s exploitative grip on its former colonies in the Sahel, is backed by the countries’ public.

I read a report today, and it seems like Nigeria has to update the NIMC (National Identity Management Commission) Act and make it compulsory for registration of deaths via churches, mosques, hospitals, community heads, etc all the way to the National Population Commission. One of the biggest risk vectors in the National Identification Number (NIN) in Nigeria is that it does not go dormant after the owner has died! 

That loophole is breeding the next domains of financial fraud as criminals harvest NIN data, and cause severe problems. As NIN does that, banks have to decide if BVN (bank verification number) itself is still a requirement, and if indeed it is, it must also have a way to freeze it.

I call the EFCC to provide technical reports to the National Assembly so that it can update both the NIMC Act and the National Population Commission Act on some of the requirements I have noted. The report I read posits that if Nigeria does not deal with KYC challenges around BVN/NIN, our financial system may have problems.

For most fintechs, remember this: KYC-based fraud is an existential threat, and do not break things and move fast on it. KYC is your DPC (as in building foundation); if you get it wrong, you have no business! Make real-time photo verification a mandatory requirement in your process.