Nigerian tertiary institutions have reportedly lost an estimated $501m (N190,129,500,000.00) as of Wednesday, April 28, 2021, to universities in the United States as Nigerians pursue graduate and undergraduate degrees in the country
This is according to a report released by the US government on Tuesday following the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s virtual meeting with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama.
An Education Ranking in The 2020 Best Countries Report, a ranking and analysis project by U.S. News & World Report, BAV Group, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania ranked the US as number one, followed by the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Australia, Sweeden, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
However, a May 2020 report by ceoworld.biz ranked the UK first, followed by the US, while Nigerian was ranked 135 in terms of education on the Legatum Prosperity Index™ 2020.
According to the report on the US government’s website, nearly 14,000 Nigerian students pursuing different programmes in the country, setting a new record in the academic year 2019-2020.
“With over 100,000 travellers to the United States each year, Nigerians boost American businesses, colleges, and universities. There are over 8,800 education and exchange program alumni from Nigeria and the United States.
“Nigeria sends more students to American colleges and universities than any other country in Africa and is the eleventh largest source worldwide of international students to the United States.
“In Academic Year 2019-2020, a record-breaking number of nearly 14,000 Nigerians pursued U.S. graduate and undergraduate degrees, bringing an estimated $501 million to communities across America. In 2020, advisees of EducationUSA services received scholarships worth $28 million.
“The United States provided more than 9 million teacher’s guides and books in five of Nigeria’s most widely spoken languages to advance early grade reading,” the statement read partly.
