Nigerian students in the London Metropolitan University face deportation.By Emmanuel Ogala
Over 400 Nigerians studying at the London Metropolitan University face deportation due to the institution’s administrative challenges.
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) announced on Wednesday that the University lost its Highly Trusted Status for sponsoring international students.
More than a quarter of the University’s foreign students did not have permission to be in the UK, the Immigration Minister, Damian Green told the AP.
Foreign students sponsored by the school to the UK now face eviction if they fail to secure an alternative sponsor within two months, starting from Thursday.
The University however says it is working to secure alternative admission for the Students within the UK.
“The implications of the revocation are hugely significant and far-reaching, and the University has already started to deal with these,” Malcolm Gillies, Vice-Chancellor of the University said on Thursday.
Mr. Gillies said the university “will be working very closely with the UKBA, HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England), the National Union of Students and its own Students’ Union,” to meet its obligations to the affected students.
London Met Uni. and Nigeria
With over 400 students from Nigeria, the London Metropolitan University is one of the most popular universities in the UK for Nigerian students.
It also claims to be the first UK University to open an office in Nigeria. However, up till late afternoon on Thursday, the Nigerian office of the university told parents and guardians they are yet to determine the fate of Nigerian students currently running programs at the university.
The University’s contact in Lagos – who wished to be called Imabong – said they are yet to obtain the next steps from the school in London.
“We don’t have any information about the fate of students in London,” she said.
More Nigerian admissions
Ms. Imabong added that even though they are worried, like most parents, the school is focused on meeting its obligations to prospective students who are still in Nigeria.
The Lagos office has sent out text messages to prospective students offering to help with links to alternative institutions or refund their refundable fees.
