Over 11,000 Nigerian students are currently studying in the United States (U.S.), according to the country’s Institute of International Education (IIE) Open Doors Report.
The Public Affairs Officer of the American Embassy in Nigeria, Russell Brooks, quoted the report in his remarks at the 2018 Education USA College Fair, the 19th annual edition, held yesterday at the Supreme Education Foundation, Magodo, Lagos, a platform of the American Department of State for facilitating foreigners’ easy access to post-secondary education institutions in the U.S.
He said many of the students are self-financed with a large number of them on scholarships provided by various bodies, institutions and individuals.
The diplomat expressed satisfaction with the cordial relations between Nigeria and the U.S. in areas of education co-operation, adding: “A top priority for the U.S. mission here is to support Nigeria in its effort to develop the huge potential of its economy and of its human capital.
“In order to do that, one leg of our effort is to help enhance educational opportunities for young Nigerians.”
He disclosed further that over a million international students choose to study in the U.S. every year and that the American government is supportive of the development because it “enhances mutual understanding as people–to–people exchanges are an important component of strengthening our relations with the global community.”
Brooks said the U.S. has more than 4,500 accredited institutions and that many of them are consistently ranked among the top universities in the world, adding that to “study in America means to have quality education.”
At the fair were representatives of 43 higher education institutions from the U.S. who provided guidelines for prospective students and their parents on how to secure admissions and access scholarship.
