Nigerian varsities attracted 709 foreign students in six years – Report

Cursory: Data from the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja indicates that Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and other higher institutions admitted 709 international students between 2017 and 2023. Despite challenges like strikes and inadequate infrastructure, these institutions attracted international students, with the majority enrolled in universities. Ayodamola Oluwatoyin from Reform Education Nigeria emphasized the need to improve infrastructure and promote a positive image of Nigerian higher education to attract more international students, benefiting the country economically.

Data obtained from the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja on Sunday revealed that despite challenges such as frequent strikes, inadequate infrastructure, and poor learning conditions, Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and other higher institutions admitted a total of 709 international students between the academic sessions of 2017 and 2023. This occurred against the backdrop of an increasing number of Nigerian students seeking higher education abroad.

The breakdown of admissions showed that 127 foreigners were admitted in the 2017/2018 academic session, 110 in 2018/2019, 161 in 2019/2020, 197 in 2020/2021, 78 in 2021/2022, and 36 in 2022/2023. A source within the ministry attributed the significant drop in admissions during the 2021/2022 session to industrial strike actions by tertiary institution-based unions, including ASUU, SSANU, and ASUP.

Of the total foreigners admitted, 616 were enrolled in universities, 64 in polytechnics, and 29 in Colleges of Education. Notably, the data showed that the majority of international students were admitted to study Network and Security Systems, Computer Science, Medicine and Surgery, Business Administration, Accounting, Pharmacy, Political Science, Mass Communications, Economics, International Studies, among other disciplines.

Further examination of the statistics showed that among the international students admitted, there were diverse preferences in academic disciplines. Specifically, 40 students opted for Network and Security Systems, 35 for Computer Science, 35 for Medicine and Surgery, 25 for Business Administration, 20 for Accounting, 20 for Pharmacy, 18 for Political Science, 17 for Mass Communications, 16 for Economics, 15 for International Studies, 14 for Computer Engineering, 14 for Physiology, 12 for Civil Engineering, 12 for English Education, 12 for Electronics Engineering, 12 for History and International Studies, 11 for Electrical Engineering, 11 for Philosophy, 10 for Health Education, 9 for French, 9 for Microbiology, 8 for Architecture, 8 for Biochemistry, 8 for Business Education, 8 for Psychology, and 7 for Anatomy.

In discussing the attraction of foreign students to Nigerian education, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, Director of Programmes at Reform Education Nigeria, reflected on the past when the University of Ibadan experienced a significant influx of foreign students and professors, illustrating a historical trend. He noted that the appeal extended beyond student enrollment to include foreign professors who served as visiting faculty members.

Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, Director of Programmes at Reform Education Nigeria, highlighted the historical trend of foreign students, particularly at the University of Ibadan, and emphasized the need for the Nigerian government to improve higher education infrastructure to attract more international students. He stressed that addressing issues like strikes and promoting a positive image of Nigerian higher institutions globally would enhance their appeal to foreign students, thereby benefiting the country economically.

in his words:

“The University of Ibadan used to have a huge influx of foreigners in those days. Not just students, we had foreign professors who would even come as visiting professors.”The same way Nigerians go to other countries to get an education is the same way the government can also attract foreigners to our own institutions.“The government needs to build our higher institutions. The higher education sector in Nigeria has a negative image in the global space. The word ASUU has now become a nightmare. You go to foreign news outlets like BBC, CNN, Aljazeera and the only news you hear about Nigerian higher institutions are strikes, sex for grades, among others. The higher education sector needs to be revitalsed. We also need to retain our own citizens. When we retain them, then more foreigners can troop in, which automatically translates to more forex for us as a country.”

Credits: ALLSCHOOL, PUNCH

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