Nigeria has been ranked 7th, climbing from 10th place, on the list of countries with the highest number of international students in the United States.
This was revealed in the latest Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange by the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria.
The report shows a 13.5% increase in Nigerian student enrollment in U.S. higher institutions for the 2023/2024 academic year, with 20,029 students enrolled, compared to 14,438 in the 2021/2022 session,.making Nigeria the leading source of international students from Africa and places it ahead of countries like Mexico, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, which had more students in the U.S. last year.
According to the report, U.S. colleges and universities hosted a record-breaking 1,126,690 international students in 2023/2024, marking an all-time high in global enrollment. Nigerian students contributed significantly to this number, with over 55% pursuing graduate-level studies.
The steady increase in Nigerian student enrollment, barring a slight decline during the 2020/2021 academic year due to COVID-19 and vaccination protocols, underscores the robust educational ties between Nigeria and the United States. Sub-Saharan Africa, led by Nigeria, remains the fastest-growing region for international student mobility, with a 13% increase in 2023/2024, following an 18% growth in 2022/2023.
The report also highlights the diversity, academic excellence, and unique perspectives Nigerian students bring to U.S. campuses, enriching the educational experience for all. It attributes this growth to the strong appeal of U.S. institutions’ high-quality education and the increasing interest of Nigerian scholars in international academic opportunities.
