Nigeria ranks 7th globally for international students in U.S.

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Published 1:50 PM ET, Wednesday November 20, 2024

Nigeria has become a top international student source in the United States, ranking seventh globally and first in Africa, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange.

For the 2023/2024 academic year, 20,029 Nigerian students enrolled in US colleges and universities, a 13.5% increase from the previous year. The report revealed that US institutions now host a record-breaking 1,126,690 international students, the highest in history.

Nigerian students are known for their academic excellence and commitment to higher education. Over 55% of Nigerian students in the US are pursuing graduate-level studies.

“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 enrollment.

“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.

Educational exchanges, which foster mutual understanding and global collaboration, further strengthen these connections, 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.

“The influx of Nigerian students is a testament to the robust educational ties between the US and Nigeria,” it added.

The Institute of International Education, in partnership with the US Department of State, publishes the Open Doors Report, which serves as a benchmark for global educational exchange.

It was unveiled as part of International Education Week, an initiative aimed at fostering cross-cultural learning and inspiring future leaders to pursue studies in the United States.