Nigeria Emerges 7th Globally for International Students in the U.S

Nigeria has secured its position as the seventh-largest source of international students in the United States, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange.

The report highlights that Nigerian student enrolment at U.S. colleges and universities has surged to 20,029 for the 2023/2024 academic year, marking a significant 13.5 percent increase from the previous year.

This growth not only places Nigeria as the leading African nation in this regard but also underscores its pivotal role in the global educational landscape.

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja noted, "Nigerian students represent a significant share of this population, known for their academic excellence and commitment to higher education."

More than 55 percent of these students are pursuing graduate-level studies, contributing richly to the academic and cultural milieu of American universities.

This surge in enrolment is part of a broader trend, with U.S. institutions hosting a record-breaking 1,126,690 international students this year—the highest in history.

Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly, has been identified as the fastest-growing region for international education, experiencing a 13 percent rise in student mobility this year alone.