A delegation from the Public Diplomacy Section of the United States Embassy, Abuja on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, to explore areas of mutual collaboration in higher education.
The delegation, led by Acting Cultural Attaché Raisa Duncas and Country Education Specialist Folashade Adebayo, engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening academic ties between Nigeria and the United States.
A major concern raised during the meeting was the difficulty encountered by applicants educated in the United States who hold High School Diplomas, which are currently not recognized as equivalent to Nigeria’s Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) for admission into local universities.
The delegation noted that while Nigerian students with SSCE qualifications are eligible for admission into universities in the United States, the reverse situation poses challenges, and called for consideration of a more balanced admission framework.
They also highlighted the increasing interest among Nigerian students in studying in the United States, particularly in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, and sought guidance on available pathways to support such academic pursuits.
In his response, Professor Ribadu explained that admission into Nigerian universities is guided by national policy and coordinated through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, which does not currently recognize the U.S. High School Diploma for direct entry.
He added that any move to grant equivalence would require broader policy discussions involving key stakeholders, including the National Council on Education, the Federal Ministry of Education, the NUC, and JAMB.
The Executive Secretary encouraged continued engagement at the policy level, expressing openness to further dialogue aimed at strengthening academic cooperation between both countries.
