The United States government has allocated financial aid and scholarships totaling approximately 23.2 billion Naira to support Nigerian students through its ‘EducationUSA’ programme. The significant announcement was made by Mr. Adnan Siddiqi, the US Embassy’s Counselor for Public Affairs in Nigeria, during the 22nd annual U.S. Embassy and Education USA College Fair in Abuja.
The primary objective of the College Fair is to provide students and parents in Nigeria with unbiased information and guidance for pursuing higher education in the United States.
Siddiqi highlighted the remarkable contributions of Nigerian students to the US education system and economy. He mentioned that Nigeria sends more students to the United States than any other African country, with over 14,400 students currently enrolled in various institutions across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Notably, Nigerian students have contributed approximately $449 million to the US economy, making Nigeria the top-ranking country in Sub-Saharan Africa for the number of students attending US higher education institutions.
Mr. Siddiqi emphasised the significance of international education and the positive impact it has on students from around the world. He encouraged Nigerian students to utilise the resources available at the fair to explore educational opportunities in the United States.
In addition to this, Sam Gomez, the Interim Director of International Admissions at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, expressed the university’s strong interest in students from Nigeria. He also discussed the challenges Nigerian students faced in securing visas to study in the US.
Participants at the fair, including Precious Ukama, David Experebe, and George Kondoun, shared their aspirations for studying abroad. They emphasised the opportunities and enriching experiences that studying in the United States offers.
The two-day College Fair, organised by the EducationUSA Advising Centre of the US Embassy, attracted over 1,500 participants. This event, with the theme “Connecting Dreams with Opportunities,” highlights the US government’s commitment to empowering Nigerian students and fostering international education partnerships.
