By John Ikani
Nigeria has been ranked highest among African countries with the number of students in the United States.
This is according to a report released on Monday, November 15, by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
The report which put the current number of Nigerians studying in US higher institutions at 12,860, noted that the figure represents 33% of African students in the United States, making Nigeria both the leading source of students from the continent and 10th largest place of origin country worldwide.
It went on to note that Nigerians are enrolled in more than 1,000 institutions in the United States, while students using EducationUSA Nigeria services recorded $28 million in scholarships and financial aid awarded to those admitted for the 2021 academic year.
The Open Doors 2021 report also highlights the US higher education sector as a destination of choice for international students and the growing interest in international educational exchange among U.S. students.
A statement by the US Embassy in Nigeria said that the release of the new Open Doors data is a good one for the International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the US Department of Education.
The week is aimed at preparing Americans for a global environment and attracting future leaders from other countries to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.
While noting that international students build life-long connections with Americans, their peers, host families, professors and communities, the statement further noted that the United States Government remains open to welcoming international students.
