By George Omagbemi Sylvester
The Federal Government has claimed that the number of Nigerians travelling abroad for studies is reducing, attributing the shift to ongoing reforms aimed at improving the quality and stability of local universities.
The position was stated on May 13, 2026, by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during a television interview where he dismissed concerns that the “Japa” trend among students remains at previous levels.
According to him, improvements in academic continuity, infrastructure, and institutional reforms have started making Nigerian universities more attractive to prospective students.
Alausa argued that figures frequently cited about outbound student migration were based on older data collected during periods marked by prolonged university strikes and instability within Nigeria’s education sector.
He maintained that conditions have since improved under the current administration.
The government had earlier ended the Bilateral Education Agreement scholarship programme, insisting that funds previously used for foreign training would now be redirected toward strengthening local tertiary institutions, research, and technical education.
However, education analysts note that economic hardship, unemployment, and the search for better career opportunities still continue to drive many Nigerian students to seek education abroad despite recent policy changes.
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