The United States Embassy in Nigeria, represented by Counsellor for Public Affairs Adnan Siddiqi, announced that a staggering N23.2 billion in financial aid and scholarships was extended to Nigerian students studying in the US during the year 2022. Siddiqi made this disclosure during the inauguration of the 22nd annual U.S. Embassy and Education USA College Fair, EducationUSA.
These scholarships and financial aid were exclusively awarded to students recommended and advised by EducationUSA. The event serves as a platform to disseminate valuable information about pursuing education in the United States and offers insights into various career pathways.
Siddiqi stated, “In the past year alone, nearly $30 million (23.2 billion naira) in financial aid and scholarships were granted to students advised by EducationUSA.”
The Counsellor also revealed that Mission Nigeria experienced a remarkable upswing in student visa issuances, with over 9,000 student visas granted in the previous year, marking a remarkable 405.3% increase in visa issuance.
Following Texas, which attracted the most Nigerian students, other states that saw significant numbers include Illinois, New York, Georgia, and Massachusetts.
Currently, an impressive 14,400 Nigerian students are pursuing their academic aspirations across various institutions in the United States. These students are spread across 973 institutions, encompassing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Siddiqi emphasized that Nigeria holds the distinction of being the African country sending the highest number of students to the United States. He noted, “It is worth noting that Nigeria sends more students to the United States than any other African country. According to the latest data available, over 14,400 students are currently pursuing their studies in over 973 institutions, spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. And if you are curious about the most popular state, it is none other than Texas.”
This notable increase in the number of Nigerian students pursuing their education in the US can be attributed to the annual college fair. Siddiqi commented, “Our annual college fairs have played a pivotal role in boosting the number of outstanding applicants to U.S. institutions, as well as in securing additional financial aid and scholarship opportunities for Nigerian students. Many of those students attend a diverse range of institutions in the United States, from small liberal arts private colleges to large state universities.”
The fair saw participation from representatives of 45 U.S. colleges and universities, further enhancing opportunities for Nigerian students to explore their educational and career prospects in the United States.