According to manager Debbie Fixter, the crisis has forced Thornaby’s Sprouts Community Food Charity (SCFC) to “maximum capacity,” with 75% of clients being impacted pupils.
Due to the economic collapse in Nigeria, overseas students studying in the United Kingdom [UK] were unable to pay their tuition; as a result, some of them at Teesside University were told to return home and were prevented from continuing their studies.
According to manager Debbie Fixter, the crisis has forced Thornaby’s Sprouts Community Food Charity (SCFC) to “maximum capacity,” with 75% of clients being impacted pupils.
The university stated that while it was offering assistance, foreign applicants needed to certify that they had enough money when requesting a visa.
In addition to providing clothing and home goods, SCFC hosts a variety of events and gives out or charges a little amount of food. In the previous few months, the charity said its clientele had noticeably changed with the majority of those visiting being Nigerian masters degree students from Teesside University.
Nigeria is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation, with the value of the naira depreciating by more than 200% against the dollar in the past 12 months.
As a result, students at UK universities have seen their savings wiped out and budgets suddenly and significantly reduced, leaving them struggling to afford the cost of living.
Some have subsequently been ordered to leave the UK after struggling to pay their tuition fees on time, as reported by the BBC this month.
But Teesside University continues to recruit students in Nigeria, according to a spokesman.
‘Part of our community’
An increasing number of students who come to the UK are turning to community charities and organisations for much-needed help, according to SCFC manager Ms Fixter.
“They’re really struggling, they need help and they’re part of our community,” she said.
Client Boluwatife Elusakin said he has had to “dive deep” to afford the cost of living and studying in the UK.
Nigeria’s economic crisis means he is having to spend double what he had budgeted.
“Things are no longer the same,” he said.
“I’ve had to cut costs because of the currency crash, it hit my savings as I’d already budgeted funds to come here.
“It makes me feel sad, but I hope I can endure just one year and all will be well.”
Ms Fixter said her charity was currently at “maximum capacity” as a result of the situation and called on Teesside University to offer more support.
She said the university had so far been proactive and offered a welcome £500 donation of Sainsbury’s vouchers after being informed of the situation, but called it a “drop in the ocean” in terms of what was needed to support the influx of students at the charity.
The university said it worked closely with community organisations to signpost students back to its own support services and had provided vouchers and contributions to ensure the organisations could offer support to students.
“Teesside University remains a popular destination for students from across the world who choose to study here because of its global reputation for excellence in teaching and research,” a spokesman added.
“All international applicants need to provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living costs as part of the visa application process.”
The university is offering “case by case” support to those affected by the situation in Nigeria.
Source: BBC
