More than 303 Nigerian students from
the 17 states of southern Nigeria have received no less than $7.5
million in full or partial scholarships from 225 American
universities and colleges to study in the United States for the
2019-2020 academic session.
Acting United States Consul General
Osman Tat disclosed this in Lagos on Tuesday during the 2019
EducationUSA pre-departure orientation for students who have received
offers of admission and scholarships to attend U.S. colleges and
universities this fall.
Noting that the U.S. remains a top
destination for international students, Acting Consul General Tat
explained that the list of acceptances for Nigerian students for the
upcoming academic year has been quite impressive, cutting across many
of the 50 U.S. states.
“I congratulate each one of you on
your tremendous success. This is a very important step in your life.
I encourage you to make the most out of your time in the United
States to acquire the requisite skills and knowledge needed to
support Nigeria’s development,” Tat told the group of U.S.-bound
students.
The students have been accepted for
undergraduate and graduate degree programs at top notch U.S.
institutions ranging from Ivy League universities, liberal arts
colleges, women’s colleges, Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (HBCUs), to community colleges.
They include Stanford University, The
George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, Purdue
University, Tufts University, Boston University, Emory University,
and Howard University, among many others.
The pre-departure orientation is
intended to assist students to prepare for their move from Nigeria to
attend a college or university in the United States. The event
included interactive sessions on topics such as travel planning,
adjusting to life in America, safety on campus, and F-1 visa rules
for international students.
Participants also had the opportunity
to meet with students currently studying in the United States who
offered tips on how to prepare for the U.S. academic, social, and
cultural environment.
Among the departing students are 13
EducationUSA Opportunity Fund grantees —10 undergraduate and 3
graduate students, with full scholarships — who received financial
aid to cover the up-front cost of obtaining admission.
Annually, through the Opportunity Fund
Program, the U.S. Consulate’s EducationUSA Advising Centre assists
talented low-income students who are good candidates for admission to
U.S. colleges and universities, by funding their application process.
According to the latest Open Doors
Report, published annually by the Institute of International
Education, Nigeria is the 13th highest sending country of
international students to the U.S., with about 12, 693 Nigerians
currently studying in the United States.
