- Safiu Kehinde
A Nigerian student studying in the United Kingdom, Onyinye Grace Enyi, has recounted her ordeal following her deportation from the country for overworking despite having few months left to complete her programme.
As captured in a video shared on Instagram on Saturday, the visibly emotional and grief-stricken student recounted how her struggle towards completing her three year programme following her father’s passing.
Narrating her ordeal amid tears, Onyinye disclosed how she had arrived in the UK in 2022.
However, her father’s tragic demise in 2023 left her broken and depressed which led to her dedicating over 20 hours to work in an effort to sponsor her school fees and living expenses.
Her extreme working hours was noticed by the UK Home Office who queried her.
Despite explaining her ordeal to the Home Office, she was ordered to immediately leave the country.
Also, her university terminated her scholarship with no option to complete her programme.
Onyinye narrated; “I never knew that I will one day come out like this feeling so vulnerable . The journey of three years that I wanted to celebrate so much. The journey that everybody around me has wanted to celebrate. I just ended on the way with no opportunity.
“I have been in the UK for three years now. I came to the UK in 2022 to get my BSC. It’s been a hell of three years. I came in 2022 and in 2023, my Dad passed away. My sponsor passed away and was left in the state of no where with nobody to run to.
“It was so hard to the extent that I had to view the burial of my Dad on a video call. I was devastated. I was confused. I was in a state where I just feel like the world has come to an end.
“But I told myself my Dad has always wanted me to be a graduate. This is the dream he wanted for me. And I had to somehow graduate with at least First Class to make him proud.
“That way, I won’t be much guilty of not being there when he died. I have been struggling. Anybody that has been in the UK will know that it is not easy especially when you are a student. You have to carry all the burdens. You have to carry everything. You ha r to pay for your school fees. You have to make living expenses.
“Sometimes it feels like it’s the world coming to an end. But I held on so tight. And just at the end of it, just this close, at the end of it. When I was going through all these trauma of my Dad passing away, I didn’t know that it’s gonna prolong that much. We never know when the depression we all talked about happen to everybody differently.
“After my Dad died, I was feeling guilty of maybe I was the reason why he passed away. I was just somehow feeling guilty. I could only feel happy when I’m around people and this country have been a very busy country.
“It was only at work because I had to work even if I’m passing through all these. I need to work to pay for my school fees. I have to work to make a living even if I’m passing through all these.
“So, I made a mistake. I overworked annoyingly. My employer messaged me last year may to say that the Office called them and I gave them my reasons and they submitted to the office.
“I thought everything was fine. I was keeping my hours. I was doing it, trying as much as possible to come out of the depression I was passing through even if it was hard.
“My heart is aching. My heart is breaking into pieces. 2025, the Home Office messaged me that I overworked my hours and I need to give my reasons.
“So, I gave them the honest reason why I made this mistake because currently, as much as I’m passing through all these, my Progression result is good. I’m currently in First Class and that was what my Dad always wanted for me.
“They didn’t listen to me. They asked me to leave the country immediately. They didn’t give me chance to complete my studies. That was the only thing I wanted. I just wanted to complete my studies.
“When the Home Office messaged me, I contacted the Union. I was being very honest. I told them what I was passing through. I told them what happened. But unfortunately, the union withdrew my sponsorship.
“I cried, I begged them. I told them that I was just in a vulnerable state. They didn’t come through for me. They only treated me like a thief. I asked the Uni if they will allow me, even if I go back to my country, to finish my course online.
“At least, that was the only thing I asked. But they said no. They said they can’t that I can’t even get my degree. It’s been three years of constant pain. I have to work even when I’m sick. I have to work even when I depressed.
“I have to work even when I don’t know where to run to. I held on so strong. But then, no help, no route.
“Currently, I’m making my plans to leave the country. They asked me to live in rehab. This is a country I’ve lived for three years. What I’m I going back to? I have nobody to go to. I have nothing to go back to.”
Her story had since attracted reactions from netizens who condolled her.