Quest For Better Life Prompts Nigerians To Fly Abroad

More and more Nigerians are moving abroad to pursue higher studies. There are several contributing internal and external factors which resulted Nigerian students to move abroad. The inadequate educational facilities and job opportunities has prompted the Nigerian students to migrate abroad for higher education. Similarly, studying abroad gives these students the space to absorb and understand the international standard of education. Also, studying in foreign countries gives them option to meet people from different culture and societies. Thus, studying abroad increases their career prospects.

Countries like US, UK, and Canada are most preferred destination for the Nigerians. Apart from these three, Asia, Middle East, South Africa are also higher education destination for the students. Let is find out the different aspects associated with Nigerian students migrating abroad to attain higher education. Read on.

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Nigerians In Foreign Land

The data provided by the UK Council for International Students Affair showed that compared to the 16,680 in 2009-10 academic session, 17,585 Nigerians students were pursuing in UK universities in 2011 session. The population of Nigerian students in UK was third after India and China. The Nigerian students contributed more than N80 billion to the UK education sector. The British Council showed that UK has educated has been increased by 75%. Iain Stewart, a member of the parliament 3 year ago foretasted that by 2015 the number of Nigerian students in UK will increase to 30,000.

The non-governmental organisation Exam Ethics International has reported that in 2010 the education sector of the United Kingdom received N246 billion from the Nigerian students. It further accelerated to N1.5 trillion in 2012.

Nigerians students also fly to America while they see it as favoured destination for higher learning. The report published by the U.S. Embassy Educational Advising Centre (2011), Nigeria tops the chart of sending students to U.S.A in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Presently at all the 50 districts of 733 different educational institutions 6,500 are pursing higher education.

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In, 2012 Hindatu Abdullahi the Director of the Federal Scholarship Board (FSB) said, “The Federal Government spent more than N900 million to sponsor 150 students abroad last year; nearly 10 per cent of the 14.14bn allocated to Nigerian universities.”

Factors Led Nigerian Students To Fly Abroad

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There are several factors which has prompted the Nigerians to take study abroad. Most importantly the English education suits them most. The most advance form of learning system also attracts them on foreign land. Needless to say above all, the opportunity and possibilities of employment is the prime reason Nigerian students study in distant land. Moreover, the lack of job prospect in homeland has also being one strong reason for the Nigerians to look for overseas education. Insufficient number of universities in Nigeria is another factor. Although, the number of the universities have increased subsequently but is not sufficient to meet the demand. Hence instead of waiting to find their seat in Nigerian Universities students apply for enrolment in the foreign colleges and universities. Another interesting factor is the quest for standard life. The ambitious upper middle class of Nigeria has the greater desire for better life. It, too, has contributes to the migration of the students.

The Permit Factor

After the culmination of the course programmes international students are given work permit by the

United Kingdom. This has been an influential substances to attract the foreign student in UK. This policy, however, has been amended by Britain. Although, countries like Australia and Canada still uses the work permit post higher study is attracting students from Nigeria.

And The Counting Goes On....

The trend suggests that the quest to success and survival will make Nigerian students to search better education system. The public and private colleges and universities of the overseas countries have been successful in terms of attracting the Nigerian students. The campus learning infrastructure and the teaching technique has made the learning environment favourable. The scope of employment has and will encourage the Nigerian students to take higher studies at foreign land.

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