Minister of Education Claims That Fewer Nigerians Are Leaving To Study Abroad

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, says local universities are beginning to regain the trust of students and parents as improvements in academic stability continue across the country’s tertiary education sector.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, the minister argued that improvements in Nigeria’s tertiary education system have made local universities more appealing to students and parents.

His comments came in response to data from 2023 showing that Nigeria ranked third globally in outbound student mobility, accounting for roughly five per cent of students studying outside their home countries — behind only China and India.

However, Alausa dismissed the figures as outdated and no longer reflective of the current situation.

 “That’s not Japa. And please, qualify your data. Thank God you told me it was 2023 figure,” he said.

According to the minister, 2023 represented a difficult period for Nigeria’s education sector, marked by prolonged academic disruptions, inconsistent school calendars, and inadequate investment in higher institutions.

He maintained that the current administration has since restored stability and improved confidence in local universities.

 “2023 was when we came in. There was no academic continuity. They had the kind of extensive investment you’ve made in a tertiary education that wasn’t there,” he said.

Alausa explained that the Ministry of Education has been monitoring the number of Nigerian students travelling abroad for studies and has observed what he described as a “precipitous drop” in outbound movement.

He attributed the decline to improved academic continuity and better institutional standards within Nigerian universities.

“We’ve seen precipitous drop in those number of student going out. Our tertiary institutions are better now. We have academic continuity, academic session continuity,” he stated.

The minister also pointed to the growing popularity of the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) programme as evidence that more students are choosing local alternatives over foreign pathways.

JUPEB, often described as Nigeria’s equivalent of the British A-level system, was previously seen by many students as a stepping stone to studying abroad. According to Alausa, the programme is now attracting overwhelming interest within Nigeria itself.

He added that some of the country’s leading universities, including the University of Lagos, are experiencing increased demand for admission, with certain programmes reportedly unable to accommodate all applicants.

 “Kids are staying there. The quality of education is significantly better. If you now compare the 2023 data with 2024 and 2025 and see the precipitous drop of Nigeria going out,” he said.

While the minister’s remarks suggest renewed confidence in Nigeria’s education system, questions remain about whether the trend reflects improved local opportunities, rising foreign tuition costs, visa restrictions, or broader economic realities affecting students and families.

Still, the government appears determined to project a new narrative: that Nigerian universities are becoming competitive enough to retain more students at home.