Nigeria has strengthened its position as a prominent source of international students in the United States, ranking seventh globally and first in Africa, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange.
The U.S. Embassy confirmed this in a statement released on Tuesday, highlighting that for the 2023/2024 academic year, 20,029 Nigerian students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities, marking a 13.5% increase from the previous year. This places Nigeria among the top contributors to the growing number of international students in the U.S., with the total number of international students now surpassing 1.1 million.
Nigerian students are renowned for their academic excellence, and the majority—over 55%—are enrolled in graduate-level programs. Their presence enriches the academic and cultural landscape of U.S. institutions.
The U.S. Department of State noted, “The report reveals that U.S. colleges and universities now host a record-breaking 1,126,690 international students, marking an all-time high for international enrollment. Notably, Nigeria, with 20,029 students, reinforces its position as the top sending country from Africa and the seventh largest globally.”
The increase in Nigerian student enrollment reflects the strong demand for U.S. education and the deep educational ties between Nigeria and the U.S. The report also underscores Sub-Saharan Africa’s growing role in international education, with the region experiencing a 13% rise in student mobility this year.
These educational exchanges are helping to strengthen bilateral relations, promote mutual understanding, and foster global collaboration. Nigeria Ranks Seventh Globally for International Students in the U.S.
By Gift Habib
Nigeria has strengthened its position as a prominent source of international students in the United States, ranking seventh globally and first in Africa, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange.
The U.S. Embassy confirmed this in a statement released on Tuesday, highlighting that for the 2023/2024 academic year, 20,029 Nigerian students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities, marking a 13.5% increase from the previous year. This places Nigeria among the top contributors to the growing number of international students in the U.S., with the total number of international students now surpassing 1.1 million.
Nigerian students are renowned for their academic excellence, and the majority—over 55%—are enrolled in graduate-level programs. Their presence enriches the academic and cultural landscape of U.S. institutions.
The U.S. Department of State noted, “The report reveals that U.S. colleges and universities now host a record-breaking 1,126,690 international students, marking an all-time high for international enrollment. Notably, Nigeria, with 20,029 students, reinforces its position as the top sending country from Africa and the seventh largest globally.”
The increase in Nigerian student enrollment reflects the strong demand for U.S. education and the deep educational ties between Nigeria and the U.S. The report also underscores Sub-Saharan Africa’s growing role in international education, with the region experiencing a 13% rise in student mobility this year.
These educational exchanges are helping to strengthen bilateral relations, promote mutual understanding, and foster global collaboration.
