110 Nigerian students get scholarship awards from American Universities

110 Nigerian students have reportedly been awarded scholarships worth $5.3m (about N2bn) by over 15 universities in America.

The American Embassy on Thursday, July 19, 2018, said the scholarship which was facilitated through Education USA Abuja will allow the students to study in universities of their choices in U.S.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria NAN, Education USA centres in Nigeria provide accurate, comprehensive and current guidance on accredited U.S. colleges and universities to highly qualified students from both rich and poor families.

NAN reports that the US embassy was able to identify the academically talented students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds through the centre advisors of its opportunity programs.

The advisors also advised them on how to strengthen their applications and provide guidance on accessing scholarship and financial aid.

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Some of the schools that offered the scholarship program for the students include Stanford University, Dartmouth University, Duke University, Tufts University, Bowdoin College, University of Rochester, and George Mason University, Arizona State University, Drexel University, Alcorn State University, Howard University, New York University, and Whitworth University, among others.

Over 11,000 Nigerian students are currently studying in the US

However, the United States Consul General F. John Bray has on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, in Lagos said that there are 1,710 Nigerian students currently studying the United States of America.

Bray said this during the pre-departure orientation for Nigerian students going to the U.S to further their education.

The Consular General said the number of Nigerian students in the United States has been going up for seven years adding that the 11,710 students in the US represent a 9.7% increase.