More than 200 protesters have gathered at the University of Sussex against plans to deport a Nigerian student.

Students have occupied rooms on the university’s Falmer campus building since Wednesday afternoon in protest at the proposed deportation of Luqman Onikosi.

A protest at the foot of the Bramber building began at around 1pm this afternoon.

Smoke flares have been let off and banners hung from windows in support of their fellow student and criticising home secretary Theresa May while supplies to the protesters are being winched up via bucket and string.

Among the protesters’ demands are for the university to award the Nigerian student his MA, to publicly state their opposition to his deportation and end their “collaboration” with the Home Office over the anti-terrorism Prevent strategy and International Student Licensing.

Campaigners also want the university to convert their 50 fee paying scholarships for refugees into full free scholarships and to conduct an immediate review of the curriculum with the Sussex school of Global Studies.

A petition calling on the university to support the campaign against his deportation gained more than 2,000 signatures in the first hour of going live yesterday while a fighting fund has raised more than $4,000 in a month.

The action has received public support from other universities as far afield as South Africa.

Mr Onikosi has been fighting against the threat of deportation for more than four years.

Suffering from a life-threatening liver condition due to having contracted hepatitis B, an illness which killed two of his brothers, campaigners claim that he is certain to die if he returns to his native Nigeria.

Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas said: "It is outrageous that Luqman is set to be deported despite his serious medical condition.

"He has worked, paid taxes and volunteered here in the UK, yet he is being treated with contempt by the British Government.

“I would urge Theresa May to show some basic humanity and think again before allowing such cruelty to be laid down upon Luqman.”

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "All cases are considered on their individual merits and in line with the immigration rules.

"The individual's application was fully considered and has been through the appeal process.

"An independent immigration judge found that he has no right to remain in the UK.”