The Nigerian government is taking a US university to court, accusing it of mishandling scholarship students' access to funds meant for rent, books and food.

The government has joined dozens of Nigerian students in a lawsuit against Alabama State University which dates back to 2016.

It also accuses the university, which has been traditionally for black students, of charging them for accommodation they did not use and classes they did not take.

The university has denied it has done anything wrong, telling local media it had "adhered to and complied with every instruction and direction given to the University by the Nigerian government regarding that agreement".

It admitted the Nigerian government was owed $202,000 after everything was paid, but said it had been deposited into an account.

But Anthony Ifediba, who is representing the students, says they believe the university may have withheld as much as $800,000.

He told the Montgomery Advertiser the Nigerian government had paid Alabama State about $5m, which was meant to cover tuition and living costs for all the students.

He added:

I hope it will sober Alabama State University up, and its new president, to realise that what these students are talking about is very serious and it's having an adverse effect on them legally and I'd imagine public relations-wise."