• By Editorial Team
• March 20, 2024

Western education is more accepted in Nigeria today than it was about four decades ago. There are more kids in school now than there was forty years ago, and even though the quality of education in the country is still far below par, majority of the population has at least secondary education certification, and about sixty six percent of those who have a bachelor’s degree go ahead to earn a master’s degree. Nigerian parent’s take pride in being able to sponsor their kids and wards to at least the university level while the government takes pride in offering free primary and secondary education plus a highly subsidized university education, kids work hard to secure scholarships for post-graduate studies for it’s an added advantage if they must compete favorably for the limited available jobs. It is therefore right to conclude that Nigerians hold education in high esteem.

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It is also no more news that education in Nigeria seem to have lost its sweet perks. Gone are the days when there are ready jobs waiting for university students even before they graduate, we hear stories of Peugeots 504’s added to the employment package just to sweeten the deal, those days are gone now, they are just stories, echoes of the Nigeria that once was. Every year, the universities churn out more graduates than there would ever be jobs for. It is therefore a fight; one that only the fittest has any chance of winning. The focus has now shifted from mere getting an education to using education to gain an edge over others. This is a prime example, in Nigeria, everyone knows that a bachelors degree is not near enough to compete favorably, you have to earn a master’s degree, and take a lot of professional courses otherwise you’d find it near impossible to get a job and if you already have one, you could even lose your job to someone with better qualifications even though you could be more skillful.

It is now getting to the stage where Nigerian degrees are disregarded and more consideration is given to degrees gotten abroad. Parents now make efforts so that their kids don’t even have to earn any degree in the country at all. So when we talk about studying abroad and its benefits, we should probably start from the increased career prospects, you become more marketable. If you ever decide to return to the country, you won’t be bereft of job opportunities, an international degree will make you more employable; every employer would want the added experience and exposure that you would bring to their team

• Studying abroad and earning a degree from an international university is the first step among many in broadening your horizons, the opportunity to travel abroad gives you a new perspective about life. You get to explore and experience a new culture, new traditions and sometimes a new language. It’s an opportunity to see new terrains, natural wonders, museums and landmarks of another country. Furthermore studying in some countries would afford you the opportunity to visit other countries, studying in France for example, would give you an opportunity to see other countries in Europe. 
• When you study abroad, you have the opportunity to stay there and possibly even settle down permanently, this is of immense economic advantage for you would most likely earn more in another that you would ever earn in your own country
•  The global connections that you will build will last you a lifetime. The university where you study will often have a large community of students from local regions and even from abroad, giving you the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures. This wide network, offers you a greater likelihood of being connected to exciting career and social opportunities.
• Studying abroad offers you the opportunity to study at top tier institutions and in better education systems. It is no news that Nigerian universities go on strike for an average of three months every year, this has wildly frustrated any attempt at getting an education, wasted the time of students and frustrated any goals they might have set. Studying abroad would give you the opportunity to learn new and exciting things about your field of study, which hitherto may not have been privilege to learn otherwise.
• Still on education, studying abroad provide better opportunities for further studies. Graduate school admissions boards look very highly and favorably on study abroad experiences. According to them, students that study abroad display diversity and show that they aren’t afraid to seek out new challenges or put themselves in difficult situations. They also believe it shows a string commitment to their education
• Because they are in a new environment with a different culture and most times better technology, students often discover new interest and talents about themselves. They would often find new activities that they may not have ever thought they’d enjoy doing.
• To some studying abroad is an opportunity to see the world, it is less of the studying for them and more of the fun and life experience

Studying abroad is an exciting experience for those who are lucky enough to be able to get one. However you may want to give serious dedication to researching which country is best for you, what course of study, what school and many other considerations. There’s a lot to studying abroad than meets the air, so we have decided to dedicate this space to all things ‘studying abroad’. You’d find our other articles also very useful. Finally we must know that to get the best out of any experience, dedicated, diligence and commitment are needed virtues, so if you’ve gotten the chance to have that experience hold on to it and don’t waste it and if you haven’t, hold on to it when you eventually get it.

• Education,
• Study Abroad,