Nigeria has reaffirmed its dominance as the leading source of international students from Africa in the United States and the seventh largest globally, as highlighted in the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange.
The US Embassy made this announcement on Tuesday, underscoring Nigeria’s growing impact on the international academic scene.
For the 2023/2024 academic session, a record-breaking 20,029 Nigerian students are enrolled in US colleges and universities, reflecting a remarkable 13.5 per cent growth from the previous year.
This surge highlights the unwavering demand for American education among Nigerians and the increasing opportunities for international collaboration.
The Open Doors Report, released annually during International Education Week, revealed that US institutions now host an unprecedented 1,126,690 international students, marking the highest enrolment figure in history.
“Nigeria, with 20,029 students, reinforces its position as the top sending country from Africa and the seventh largest globally,” the report stated.
More than half of Nigerian students—over 55 per cent—are pursuing graduate-level studies, further enriching the academic and cultural environments of American universities.
This demographic is recognised for its academic achievements and deep commitment to higher education, making significant contributions to their host institutions.
The report also emphasised Sub-Saharan Africa’s role as the fastest-growing region for international education, recording a 13 per cent rise in student mobility for the 2023/2024 academic year.
This growth follows an even steeper increase of 18 per cent in the previous year.
“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 statement added.
The steady increase in Nigerian student enrolment underscores the robust educational and cultural ties between the United States and Nigeria.
Educational exchanges between the two nations foster mutual understanding, promote global collaboration, and prepare future leaders for success in a competitive global landscape.
“These connections are further strengthened by educational exchanges, which promote mutual understanding and global collaboration,” the statement emphasized.
The Open Doors Report, a collaborative effort between the Institute of International Education and the US Department of State, has been a benchmark for global educational exchange for 75 years.
2024 edition was unveiled during International Education Week, a global initiative designed to encourage cross-cultural learning and inspire the next generation to pursue educational opportunities in the United States.
As Nigeria continues to lead Africa in sending students to the US, its students are not only shaping the academic narrative abroad but also cementing the country’s reputation as a powerhouse of intellectual talent and ambition on the global stage.
