Between 2017 and 2023, a total of 709 international students were enrolled in Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and other higher institutions despite frequent strikes, poor infrastructure, and difficult learning conditions, as per data from the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja.
Meanwhile, more Nigerian students are heading overseas for higher education.
The data indicates that 127 foreign students were admitted in 2017/2018, 110 in 2018/2019, 161 in 2019/2020, 197 in 2020/2021, 78 in 2021/2022, and 36 in 2022/2023.
A source from the ministry pointed out that the notable decrease in the number of foreign students admitted during the 2021/2022 academic session was because of strikes by unions like the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities.
During this period, 616 of the foreign students were admitted into universities, 64 into polytechnics, and 29 into Colleges of Education.
Further examination of the data revealed that 40 of the foreign students were admitted to study Network and Security Systems, 35 in computer science, 35 in Medicine and Surgery, and so on for various other fields.
Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, the Director of Programmes at Reform Education Nigeria, mentioned that in the past the University of Ibadan had a large number of foreign students and professors, but now the higher education sector in Nigeria has a negative image in the international realm, and the government must work to improve this reputation.
Like Nigerians going abroad for education, the government can also attract foreigners to Nigerian institutions by enhancing the quality of higher education in the country.
Oluwatoyin emphasized the need for the government to improve higher education in Nigeria, as negative news about strikes and other issues has tarnished the sector's global perception, and improvement could lead to increased interest from both local and foreign students, benefiting the country economically.
