The United States is offering Nigerian students opportunities in its universities that promise not just world-class education but brighter futures.
Speaking at the 2025 Education USA Fair in Abuja on Monday, the Public Diplomacy Officer at the US Embassy Abuja, Brian Neubert, noted that over the decades, many thousands of Nigerians take advantage of overseas opportunities, come back and contribute meaningfully to the country.
“What we have seen over the decades is that many thousands of Nigerians take advantage of overseas opportunities. They come back and work in academia, they come back and work as journalists in the media, they certainly come back and work in business.
“We know that Nigerians hustle. The courses of study that are most interesting to Nigerian students are often engineering, business, law, medicine, and many thousands of these students graduate, and then they come back and build this country,” he said.
Neubert advised prospective students to plan ahead, adding that planning ahead and asking questions, would give them the best chance at success:
“The process for applying to the school of the United States, the first step is coming here today, and also looking at the resources that are available online from EducationUSA.
“Planning ahead is critical. It’s absolutely important to plan ahead. If you wait until the last minute, that creates challenges, but if you plan ahead and ask questions, that gives the student the best chance of success”, he said.
According to the Public Diplomacy Officer, “there are opportunities for scholarships. Exceptional students get to have scholarships. There are a variety of options for scholarships, and international students, students from Nigeria, enrich the experience for the entire community on campus”.
Neubert also addressed concerns about the cost of studying in the US, explaining that the embassy provides resources to help students make informed decisions about financing their education.
“We’re providing resources so that students can make their own decisions of where they want to study and how they want to finance that study,” he said.
Furthermore, he informed that the fair with the theme, Empowering Future, Discover American Excellence In Education And Innovation had representatives from 28 American colleges and universities brought by EducationUSA.
He noted that the EducationUSA team offers free counselling services to help prospective students navigate the application process.
“For those who decide to pursue studies in the United States and if found eligible for a student visa, it is important to responsibly maintain your student visa status, ensuring you comply with all regulations so you can make the most of your time in the United States and take back with you to Nigeria all of your cherished experiences.
“As you consider your next steps, know that you are joining a long tradition of Nigerian students who have excelled in U.S. institutions and gone on to make significant contributions to their communities and the world.
“The United States is proud to partner with Nigeria in empowering the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers”, he said.
