99,985 students left Nigeria for UK varsities in 5 years – Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has disclosed that according to statistics, no fewer than 99,985 Nigerian students left the country to enroll in universities in the United Kingdom between 2017 and 2022.

He disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the 2023 University of Lagos International Week on Monday, Oct. 9, in Lagos.

The theme of the international week is “Breaking the Borders of Partnership.”

Speaking at the event, Tunji-Ojo said: “Every year, over 100 Nigerian students benefit from the scholarship for postgraduate and PhD degrees, I speak from students personally; we have hundreds of professionals and entrepreneurs leaving our shores to break new grounds across our lands.

“And on our part, we must ensure that we play our part in the actualisation of their dreams. They carry our identity, one which not only aids their pursuit, but also defines them.

“According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), reports have shown that about 99,985 Nigerian students left this country to enroll in universities in the United Kingdom between 2017 and 2022.

“While many may contend that majority of these students have simply ‘JAPA’ for other reasons, we cannot also deny the fact that a larger chunk of these students have left with the purest of intent to seek further knowledge for self advancement.

“Now, in going all through this therefore, I may want to ask, why our students should now suffer to acquire international passports, even when they have paid for it.

“Their pursuit of breaking new grounds across borders, is one which gives us great joy as through our children, we sustain the future.”