By Seyi Babalola
According to the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange, Nigeria has established itself as a key source of international students in the United States, ranking seventh globally and first in Africa.
The US Embassy confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday.
For the 2023/2024 academic year, 20,029 Nigerian students enrolled at US colleges and universities, representing a 13.5% increase over the previous year.
The survey, presented during International Education Week, indicated that US institutions now have a record-breaking 1,126,690 international students, the biggest number in history.
Nigerian students make up a sizable proportion of this population, noted for their academic prowess and dedication to higher education.
More than 55% of Nigerian students in the United States are pursuing graduate degrees, which enriches the academic and cultural environment of American universities.
“The report reveals that US colleges and universities host a record-breaking 1,126,690 international students this year, marking an all-time high for international enrolment.
“This milestone aligns with the 75th anniversary of the Open Doors Report, the leading benchmark for international educational exchange in the United States.
“Notably, Nigeria, with 20,029 students, reinforces its position as the top sending country from Africa and the seventh largest globally,” the statement said.
The steady growth in Nigerian student enrolment reflects the high demand for US education and the strong ties between the two nations.
“These connections are further strengthened by educational exchanges, which promote mutual understanding and global collaboration, the statement added.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the fastest-growing region for international education, with a 13 per cent increase in student mobility this year, following an 18 per cent rise in 2022/2023.
“Sub-Saharan Africa’s student mobility grew by 13 per cent in 2023/24, maintaining its position as the fastest-growing region for the second year, following an 18 per cent increase in 2022/23.
“The influx of Nigerian students is a testament to the robust educational ties between the US and Nigeria,” it added.