Nigeria has been ranked as the world’s third-largest source of international students, highlighting the growing wave of young Nigerians seeking education opportunities abroad amid increasing global academic mobility. The latest revelation was contained in the inaugural Higher Education Global Trends Report released by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO.
According to the report, Nigeria accounted for five per cent of all internationally mobile students in 2023, placing the country alongside Germany in third position globally. Only China and India ranked higher, contributing 37 per cent and 29 per cent respectively of students studying outside their home countries.
UNESCO noted that nearly half of all international students worldwide came from just ten countries, reflecting a growing concentration of outbound student migration from nations experiencing increasing demand for quality higher education and global career opportunities. After China, India, Nigeria, and Germany, the list included Viet Nam, Uzbekistan, the United States, France, Pakistan, and Nepal, each contributing four per cent of global outbound student mobility. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The report also showed that international student mobility has witnessed massive growth over the last two decades despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. UNESCO disclosed that the number of students studying abroad rose from 2.5 million in 2002 to about 7.3 million in 2023, with projections indicating that the figure could hit nine million by 2030.
The organisation explained that several factors are driving the increase in overseas education migration. These include macroeconomic realities, limited capacity within domestic higher education systems, visa policies, availability of scholarships, and post-study work opportunities offered by foreign countries. Nations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Australia, and the United States continue to attract thousands of Nigerian students yearly due to their strong educational infrastructure and broader employment prospects after graduation.
UNESCO, however, stressed that access to international education remains largely elitist, as less than three per cent of higher education students globally are able to study abroad. The body warned that despite rising mobility trends, only a privileged few currently enjoy access to overseas academic opportunities due to financial and systemic barriers.
Nigeria’s ranking further reflects the intensifying “Japa” trend among young people, many of whom are relocating abroad for education, employment, and better living conditions. In recent years, concerns have continued to grow over the impact of migration on critical sectors such as healthcare and education, with experts warning about the long-term effects of brain drain on national development.
