A Nigerian student enjoying a scholarship to study at a foreign university has been expelled for consistently failing to attend classes, a classmate has revealed. The incident, shared on social media, serves as a stark warning to other international students about the stringent attendance policies tied to their visas and funding.
The Cost of Chronic Absenteeism
The story was shared by an X user with the handle @maverickthamanl, who narrated how her classmate's academic journey abroad came to an abrupt end. According to her account, the male student, who was on a scholarship, only showed up on campus approximately once every two weeks. This pattern of absence eventually triggered scrutiny from the school administration.
@maverickthamanl explained the specific rule that led to his expulsion. She stated that for scholarship students, there is typically a 30-hour unexplained absence window per semester. With each school day calculated as six hours, exceeding this limit without official permission carries severe consequences.
Strict Visa and Scholarship Compliance
The classmate detailed the procedure and the serious ramifications, especially for those on student visas. "If you’re absent for more than 30hrs in a semester without prior approval, they set up a committee and tell you to bolanle (leave)," she tweeted.
She further emphasized the gravity for visa holders, noting that expulsion isn't just an academic setback. It can lead to immediate revocation of immigration status. "As dem Dey warf you, na from school wey Police Dey follow you go house go pack your load... else na from there you Dey go enter plane," she wrote, illustrating a scenario where police escort the student to pack before deportation.
Her warning was clear: failing to comply with attendance rules forces a student into illegality, "jumping from house to another," or facing deportation.
Nigerian Netizens React with Disappointment
The online revelation sparked a wave of reactions from Nigerians, many expressing frustration at what they see as a wasted golden opportunity.
User @AniNduonofit commented on the irony, saying, "People wey get opportunities like this dey misuse am. Me wey dey find am, I no see am. This life no just balance..." This sentiment of squandered privilege was a common theme.
Another user, @Neo_Marshall, expressed harsh criticism: "A lot of Nigerians are actually bad people, how do you throw away a scholarship that a lot of people are hoping to get... Japan wey I dey eye from far." The comment highlights the intense competition for such opportunities and the disappointment felt by those still striving to secure them.
User @reelaffairs used the incident to critique a broader tendency to avoid responsibility, suggesting the expelled student would likely blame external factors like "village people" or family discord instead of his own actions.
A Pattern of Lost Opportunities
This case is not isolated. In related reports, other Nigerians have lost valuable educational opportunities due to misconduct or poor decisions.
One report detailed a man who lost a fully funded scholarship and a monthly N100,000 allowance after being caught stealing his helper's clothes. In another instance, a lady who secured a scholarship to study in the United States lost the offer because she failed to resume school, having changed her mind after receiving admission and funding from multiple universities.
These stories collectively underscore a critical message for Nigerian students abroad and those aspiring to study overseas: scholarships and student visas come with strict contractual and legal obligations. Maintaining good academic standing and attendance is not merely a recommendation but a fundamental requirement to sustain such privileged positions. The expulsion serves as a costly lesson on the importance of responsibility and adherence to institutional rules in a foreign land.
