Decline in Nigerian Students Studying Abroad, Says Minister

Minister of Education Tunji Alausa claimed that there has been a notable decrease in the number of Nigerians studying abroad, during an interview on Channel Television. He asserted that the current administration has made significant investments in the educational sector, making Nigerian universities more attractive to prospective students.

Alausa referenced 2023 data indicating that Nigeria ranks third globally in outbound student mobility, accounting for five percent of worldwide student movement, behind China and India. However, he dismissed these figures as outdated and not reflective of the current situation, emphasizing that the 2023 statistics coincide with a period of severe disruption in Nigeria's educational system due to prolonged academic shutdowns and underinvestment in tertiary institutions.

He noted that there has been a steep decline in students leaving for foreign studies, with local programs, such as the University of Lagos Law School, experiencing high demand and oversubscription, demonstrating improved confidence in domestic educational alternatives.