New data released by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs shows that about 12,860 Nigerian students are currently studying in the US in the 2020/2021 academic session.
According to the 2021 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange data released recently by IIE and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Nigeria is among the top 10 countries in the world with the highest number of internatonal students studying in the United States.
The new report indicates there was a slight drop in the number of students from Nigeria currently studying in the United States, less than half the worldwide average decline. The current figure of 12,860 Nigerian students represents 33% of African students in the United States, making Nigeria both the leading source of students from the continent and 10th largest place of origin country worldwide.
Nigeria was ranked the 10th country with Highest Number of International Students Studying in the US and the first in Africa.
This number represents 33 percent of the overall African students in the U.S., making Nigeria the leading source of students from the continent and 10th largest country worldwide.
According to the report, Nigerians are enrolled in more than 1,000 institutions in 51 states and territories in the United States, out of which 18 percent are studying in Texas. Nigerian students using EducationUSA services recorded $28 million in scholarships and financial aid awarded to newly admitted students for the 2021 academic year.
In Eastern Africa, Kenya (3,502) and Ethiopia (2,166) has the highest number of international students studying in the US.
In Southern Africa, South Africa (2,079) and Zimbabwe (1,304) has the highest number of international students studying in the US.
In North Africa, Egypt (3,672) and Morocco (1,294) has the highest number of international students studying in the US.
African Countries With the Highest International Students Studying in the US
| Rank | Country | No of Students |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 12,860 |
| 2 | Ghana | 4229 |
| 3 | Egypt | 3,672 |
| 4 | Kenya | 3,502 |
| 5 | Ethiopia | 2,166 |
| 6 | South Africa | 2,079 |
| 7 | Rwanda | 1,333 |
| 8 | Zimbabwe | 1304 |
| 9 | Morocco | 1,294 |
| 10 | Congo DR | 1125 |
Open Doors 2021, released on Monday by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, highlights the continued competitiveness of the U.S. higher education sector as a destination of choice for international students and the growing interest in international educational exchange among U.S. students.
The release of the new Open Doors data marks the celebration of International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from other countries to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.
The Open Doors report is published annually by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
