The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, has appealed to Nigerians and other foreign students studying in Britain that higher education is not the only means to success in life.
Sunak posted on Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter: “You don’t have to go to university to succeed in life.”
Although Sunak did not mention Nigerian students precisely, his comment comes at a time of challenges for international students in the UK, particularly those from Nigeria and Iran.
Hundreds of students studying in the UK may be unable to graduate or re-register for the next academic year if they fail to pay unsettled debts.
University of Sussex informed students, mostly migrant students with outstanding debts, that they may face complications in continuing their studies.
One Nigerian student at Sussex speaking on the condition of anonymity said: “We have no intention of not paying; we’re willing to meet our obligations, but we’re pleading for the university to grant us some time.
“Since the exchange rate tripled, my monthly income of £800 is barely enough to cover the £182 weekly accommodation, leaving me struggling to survive as a student in Brighton.”
In an interview with the BBC, another student, Adenike Ibrahim said she was close to handing in her dissertation at the end of two years of study when she missed one payment and was then kicked off her course and reported to the Home Office.
She later paid the outstanding fees, but said she had not been re-enrolled and was told she must leave the country 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,” she said.
“I called them and asked to reach an agreement, but they do not care what happens to their students.”
She said the experience was “horrendous,” and she did not know what was happening with her qualifications.
“It has been heartbreaking for my son, especially; he has been in so much distress since I told him,” Ms. Ibrahim added.
The situation at Sussex follow a similar pattern at Teesside University, where Nigerian students were expelled and ordered to leave the UK for falling behind on fee payments.
According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of Nigerian nationals studying in the UK has soared, growing from 6,798 in 2017 to 59,053 by December 2022. The number of dependents also rose from 1,586 in 2019 to 60,923 in 2023.
Sunak’s statement has been heavily criticised on social media, with some criticising his ideology and others being of the same view.