LIVE UPDATES
Nigerian students have been thrown off Teesside university and ordered to leave the UK following the struggle to meet up with tuition fees on time.
Teesside University students were barred from their studies after the value of Nigeria's naira decreased significantly wiping out their savings.
Some students said they felt suicidal as they accused the university of taking a "heartless" approach to the issue, according to BBC reports.
A university spokesman said, "Failure to pay was a breach of visa sponsorship requirements", and that it had "no choice" but to alert the Home Office.
The Home Office said visa sponsorship decisions rested with the institution.
Nigeria is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation, which is having a significant impact on Nigerian students at some UK universities.
Following the ordered, the student stage a peaceful protest holding placards, condemning the institution decision to force them to leave.
A group of students, began pressing the university for support after a number of people who defaulted on payments were frozen out of university accounts and involuntarily withdrawn from their courses.
Adenike Ibrahim 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.
"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 qualification.
"It has been heartbreaking for my son especially, he has been in so much distress since I told him," Ms Ibrahim added.
The Home Office told students, including Ms Ibrahim, that their permission to enter the UK had been cancelled because they stopped studying at the university.
The letters, seen by the BBC, offer a date by which the student must leave the country and say they do not have a "right of appeal or administrative review against the decision".
Since receiving his letter, one masters degree student - who did not want to be named - said he had seriously considered suicide and was not eating or drinking.
Jude Salubri wants the university to reinstate affected students and engage more with them
Jude Salubi, who was studying to be a social worker, was midway through a placement when he was told his access to the university was suspended and he would have to leave the country.
Some affected students have managed to pay off outstanding fees, but the university is now unable to intervene in the Home Office process.
A university spokesman 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."
The spokesman added it was "aware of the challenging financial situation faced by some students" and had "actively offered bespoke payment plans where requested".
"This option has been taken up by many of our international students; however, some students have still defaulted on these revised payment plans," he said.
The Home Office said a decision to offer or withdraw visa sponsorship rested with the sponsoring institution.
A spokesman said wherever a visa was shortened or cancelled, individuals should "take steps to regularise their stay or make arrangements to leave the UK".
