Alabama university admits owing Nigerian government $202,000

macfranc007 February 28, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Eromosele Ebhomele

- Alabama State University (ASU) in the United States of America agrees t being indebted to Nigeria to the tune of $202,000

- The admission came with a suit filed against the institution by 30 Nigerian students

- The federal government of Nigeria also recently decided to join in the suit against the institution

Alabama State University (ASU) in the United States of America has reportedly admitted owing the Nigerian government $202,000, being part of the money meant for Nigerian students on scholarship, but mishandled by the university.

The Alabama News had reported that the Nigerian government had joined the suit filed by 36 students of the country against the ASU two years ago alleging that the institution misused or mishandled about $800,000 meant for them.

The report also said that the university admitted on Tuesday, February 27, that it was indeed owing the Nigerians some money.

“The agreement regarding the education of the Nigerian students dates back to 2013 and has always been between the government of Nigeria and Alabama State University, not the individual students.

"Since the initiation of the agreement, ASU has adhered to and complied with every instruction and direction given to the University by the Nigerian government regarding that agreement,” said Kenneth L Thomas, general counsel for Alabama State University.

The institution reportedly advised Nigeria through several letters that as a result of its accounting over the last four years, the government is entitled to a $202,009.50 credit, which was deposited last year into a trust account at the federal courthouse in Montgomery, Ala.

The university has yet to receive a response from the Nigerian government regarding the credit.

But the report said the institution confirmation came late.

It quotes one of the students, Success Jumbo, as saying he was denied many things including student health insurance and just getting textbooks.

“My college experience has been ruined, because I wasn’t allowed to do things that every other college student is doing.

“We went as far as asking our government to give us authorization for them to release the funds to us, which they did. On several occasions, they wrote two letters, which ASU bluntly declined.

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"This is supposed to money that has been made available for us.

“It’s not like we are asking him to pay us or give us monies from his personal pocket. This was monies already made available for us when we need them,” he said.

NAIJ.com earlier reported that on Wednesday, October 25, 2017, the Nigerian Senate announced plans to end the plight of Nigerian students on scholarship abroad.

The Senate chief whip, Olusola Adeyeye, Osun-APC, moved a motion under order 42 and 52, condemning agencies of government for abandoning the children.

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