According to PwC, Unofficial reports state that there are about 15 million Nigerians in the diaspora. This isn’t surprising because Nigerians are known for their brilliance and love for quality education. However, with the poor state of the country, students have looked for other countries where they can get a good education. From Africa to Asia, Europe, and the Americas, Nigerian students are found everywhere.
The body that monitors, represents and empowers Nigerian students in the diaspora is the Students Association of Nigerians in Diaspora (SAND). SAND is an independent and student-led organization created to cater to the growing community of Nigerian students studying outside Nigeria. A cutting-edge platform that brings together Nigerian students and youths living and studying in different countries across the globe, to maintain and promote the educational, cultural, political, and economic interests of Nigerian students in the Diaspora.
Let’s dive into countries with the highest number of Nigerian Students.
Malaysia
This Southeast Asian nation may be small, but it hosted over 13,000 Nigerian students in 2019. Two major cultural advantages of studying here (compared to others in the region) are the Muslim-friendly lifestyle which is hospitable to non-muslims and the English-speaking environment. Malaysia has lots of English-speaking foreign nationals because English is the second most spoken language in the Asian country.
Malaysia is also so attractive because the cost of studying in Malaysia is affordable and the standard of education is high both in structures and academics. Malaysia is one of the safest and most stable countries in the world with a relatively low crime rate. The country is free from most natural disasters which makes it very comfortable for International Students.
To study in Malaysia, you will need a student visa, which you can obtain via VFS Global or the high commission in Abuja. The Student visa is N2,000 and the VFS Service charges are N9,900.
Norway
The dynamic student life in Norway is personified by its peaceful and technologically advanced society. According to the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Abuja, you can either pursue an exchange program or travel to Norway for an entire Bachelor’s or Master’s program. Nigerians make up 35% of the African student population in Norway. You may register online, then submit your application at a VFS Global centre or embassy/consulate. To know more, check this website https://www.studyinnorway.no/
Germany
Nigerian students are one of the largest groups of African students enrolled in German universities. Higher education in Germany it’s free, as long as you learn the language. Germany’s universities are free of charge through a scholarship program known as the DAAD Scholarship which is fully funded by the German government. The only fee paid is the administrative fee (only 100 EUR/year or 200 EUR/year). On that note, 2019 statistics have shown an 18% rise in the number of Nigerian students in German universities. Also, the majority of Master’s programs are in English, so it is easy to find a great and perfect degree for you.
A student from Nigeria who wants to study in Germany will need the Visa Type D / Residence Permit to study in Germany.
Germany is also one of the most organized countries in the world. Considering this, there’s no wonder the laws, the policing and the judicial system is dependable, making the life of an international student an easy and safe one.
United Kingdom
Before now, the UK used to be home to Nigerian Students irrespective of the four countries that make up the Island Kingdom. However, since 2019, the UK has seen a drop in the number of Nigerian Students. High tuition fees, high cost of living and Brexit events are leading factors contributing to this decline.
However, lots of Nigerian students are still in school in the UK – a report by a media house, The Cable stated that within a year from June 2020 to June 2021, the number of Nigerian students in the UK moved from 9,066 to 20,427, a 125% rise. This increase is largely due to the number of students who received sponsored grants, with over 11,000 study visas granted within the period under review.
Nigerian nationals continue to see an increase in Sponsored Study grants compared to the previous year, increasing to a record high of 20,427, making them the third-largest nationality group granted Sponsored study visas this year, an increase of 11,361 (+125%) on the year ending June 2020.
United States of America
The number of Nigerian students in the US has reportedly witnessed a drastic surge in recent times. A recent report by an educational platform indicated that the US hosted a total of 13,762 students for the 2019/20 academic year. The figures represent 93 percent of Nigerians on academic tourism in the US.
The report from Erudera said, from 2015/16 to 2019/20, the number of students increased by 28 percent, while the most drastic increase by 557 percent occurred from 1995/96 to 2019/20. According to a recent U.S. Census Bureau report, Nigerian students are some of the most well-educated and best students in the U.S.
The U.S is seen as home to Nigerians due to the friendly immigration laws given to Nigerians over the years. In the late 1960s and early 1990s, over a million Nigerians immigrated to the United States, making them the largest African immigrant group in the nation. There are even communities in the States heavily dominated by Nigerians, making settling very easy.
The U.S is also home to the best schools in the World, with a well-structured educational system both public and private. This factor is another reason Nigerian students flock into the U.S.A yearly.
Canada
Canada is one of the best and safest countries you could study in. This is a top destination for many Nigerians, as the process is relatively easier than its North American counterpart U.S.A. It comes with its full-range opportunities during and post studies, making it a go-to option for many migrants and students alike.
Reports show that there are currently over 12,000 Nigerian students in Canada. The Post-Graduate Work Permit programs and international Study Visa programs, in particular, are another factor that attracts Nigerians to Canada and then entices them to stay and become permanent residents. As for the job market, it is in continuous growth, with new jobs opening daily, so the chance of you finding employment is incredibly high.
Another of Canada’s traits is that its healthcare is one of the best in the world. Seeing how they take care of their people, knowing you will be going into a region where life matters are one attraction to Nigerians considering the poor healthcare system here.
Ghana
The Gold Coast country located in the West African part of Africa has seen a rush of Nigerian students into its tertiary institutions. As of 2018, Nigeria had over 75000 students in Ghanaian schools. The educational standard of Ghana recognized globally as better and higher than in Nigeria is a major cause of this influx of students from Nigeria. More so, the fact that Nigerians don’t get to write UTME popularly called JAMB is enough motivation. As long as 6 credit is obtained from S.S.C.E (WAEC), with a direct entry, Nigerians secure admission into Ghanian schools. The absence of strikes is another major reason why Nigerian students choose Ghanaian universities.
Although Ghana is a West African nation like Nigeria, you will need to obtain a student visa which can be done at the Ghanaian embassy in Nigeria or on the Ghana High Commission website. You must be granted a visa before traveling to Ghana, or you will not be allowed to enter the country.
Honorable Mentions:
South Africa
Finland
Italy
France
Sweden
Cyprus
China
Australia, etc.
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