Many have been asking the reason why lots of Nigerians Choose to study abroad. Before writing this article we did a lot of research.
We spoke to hundreds of Nigerians who are privileged to study in Nigeria but rather choose to study abroad, and we made a lot of discoveries on the reason why many Nigerians choose to study abroad.
The yearning to study abroad has become the trending thing amongst Nigerian students. Even parents give their children all the necessary backing in this respect.
However, some reasons that cannot be ignored have become reasons for this desire to study abroad; poor economy, inadequate research materials, poor studying environment, and many more.
Again, it is believed that studying in Nigeria does not leave one advantaged, corruption in the government system and the educational system has also hampered the growth of Nigerian institutions.
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The Reasons for Rush to Study Abroad and the Causes
The degree at which Nigerian students move abroad to study has continually been on the high.
Almost every year there has been a significant rise in the number of students leaving abroad for education despite the huge costs of funding such moves.
However, students who travel out from Nigeria to study abroad are usually there for either
The most sought after countries are the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Eastern Europe, and a few other Asian countries are usually the most preferred places for Nigerian students.
Again, Ghana and some other African nations have also become destinations for Nigerian students who desire to study abroad. Some of the reasons for this rush to study abroad are as follows:
Industrial actions (ASUU Strike)
This is a very common phenomenon that is having and might continue to have a detrimental effect on the academic system in Nigeria.
Nigerian universities are constantly ravaged by ceaseless strikes. Whenever the universities go on strike, the students are the ones who are greatly disadvantaged the most as academic activities are placed on hold.
However, this affects their academic calendar as the stipulated completion time is automatically increased. This is also one of the major reasons why students from Nigeria choose to study abroad where there will be no industrial actions.
Poor academic institution
Nigerian academic institution lacks the capability to march top institutions around the world in terms of standard and quality.
This is simply because institutions in Nigeria are inadequately funded and thus cannot meet up with the best required academic demands.
However, Nigerian academic institutions have always struggled to accommodate students in dire need of tertiary education.
According to statistical research provided by JAMB on its official website; as at 2015, only  415,500 out of 1,428,379 applicants were granted admission into various universities in the country.
The rest are not given admission. In addition, poor conducive and quality learning facilities and environment, dearth of qualified lecturers, the deplorable state of infrastructures, corruption, poor social welfare packages for students and so many others are some of the handful problems that have contributed to the low-quality of Nigerian tertiary institutions and it has also led to an exodus of Nigerian students to higher institutions abroad.
Cost of living
Thirdly, in developed nations, the cost of living is relatively fair compared to what is obtained in Nigeria and this is due to their flourishing economy.
Also, the way in which the economy and education are structured in such nations grants students the privilege to study and work at the same time.
Most schools in the United States of America permit students to apply for education aid to take care of their tuition and living expenses.
A good example is UF Financial Aid.
This is an added advantage for students who study abroad because, through the proceeds of their job, they can financially support themselves as well. In such nations, a working student can earn as much as government workers in Nigeria.
Education methods and teaching facilities
Fourthly, Universities abroad employ better teaching methods and modern teaching facilities to help the student’s learning process. In universities abroad, classes are not overcrowded, and students are always exposed to experiments, unlike in Nigeria where everything is basically theory-based.
However, for students who are very concerned with understanding their course better, studying abroad is usually the most preferred option because they will be exposed to higher teaching methods, higher quality learning facilities, and a healthy environment.
However, if urgent measures are not taken to rescue Nigeria’s higher education sector, Nigeria will continue to witness a higher number of students emigration to various nations abroad to further their education.
Better Job Opportunities
Another major reason why Nigerians choose to study abroad is to have an edge to secure quality employment after graduation.
Knowing the fact that most Nigerian universities are not well equipped, most employers prefer to employ those who studied abroad, especially in strategic positions.
Opportunity to live abroad
So many want to live abroad for one reason or the other. The best way to do that is to seek admission abroad.
A good sum of Nigerians who live abroad first got there by schooling.
Immediately after school, they try to secure a permanent stay by either getting a job that will give them permanent residency or by getting married to a country citizen.
Combined Study and Working
Working and studying in Nigeria always come with lots of distractions due to the strictness of many employers.
Most employers do not like to employ students in key positions in their business, because they believe that students may not always be available, and it will create a level of distraction.
The major reason for this is that the Nigerian education system is not flexible as those abroad.
While studying in Nigeria may take a longer time mainly due to the ASUU strike, students will graduate being financially broke.
They will rather study abroad, where they can be schooling and working at the same time. By graduation, they would have saved a sustainable sum of money which they will use to start up a life.
Conclusion on Nigerian’s Study Abroad
This trending yearning to study abroad, in the long run, will be of great disadvantage to the country as a higher rate of student migration will unavoidably give room for a massive brain drain in the country.
This will also have an adverse effect on the country’s economy and future.
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