Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says statistics indicate that no fewer than 99,985 Nigerian students left the country to enroll in universities in the United Kingdom between 2017 and 2022.
The minister disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the 2023 University of Lagos International Week on Monday, in Lagos.
The theme of the international week is 'Breaking the Borders of Partnership'.
"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 enrol 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 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," he said.
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