Education Minister Says Fewer Nigerians Are Leaving to Study Abroad as Local Universities Improve

The Federal Government says the number of Nigerians travelling abroad for higher education has dropped significantly, citing improved academic stability and better quality in the country’s tertiary institutions.

Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, made the claim during an interview on Channels Television, where he dismissed concerns that Nigerian students are still leaving the country in large numbers to pursue degrees overseas.

According to him, the trend commonly referred to as “japa” has slowed considerably since the current administration assumed office in 2023.

Alausa said data often used to support the narrative of mass student migration is outdated and does not reflect recent developments in Nigeria’s education sector.

He explained that 2023 was marked by academic disruptions and underinvestment, factors that pushed many students to seek alternatives abroad. However, he said conditions have changed as universities now enjoy uninterrupted academic calendars and increased government support.

The minister noted that his ministry has been monitoring outbound student numbers and has observed a sharp decline in those leaving Nigeria to study in foreign institutions.

He attributed the shift to growing confidence in local programmes such as the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB), which he said is attracting more students and is now oversubscribed.

Alausa also pointed to increased demand for competitive programmes at institutions such as the University of Lagos, particularly in law, as evidence that more students are choosing to remain in the country.

Nigeria ranked third globally for outbound student mobility in 2023, behind China and India, accounting for about five per cent of students studying abroad worldwide.

But the minister insisted that more recent figures for 2024 and 2025 show a substantial reduction in the number of Nigerian students pursuing education overseas.

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