A Sociologist, Prof. Steve Nwokeocha of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai in Niger State says admission crises in Nigerian universities is posing a serious threat to the country’s socio-economic development.
Nwokeocha told newsmen that the crises were a major cause of brain-drain in the country, thereby making admission seekers search for alternative means of acquiring education abroad.
The don, who is also Head, Sociology Department of the university, noted that many candidates desperate for university education do whatever they could get admission to study abroad at the expense of the country’s fragile economy.
“Abroad in this instance include North America, Europe, Asia and literally every other country in Africa.
“Statistics from the United States Embassy in Nigeria showed that Nigeria is the largest source of students in the country in recent times.
“Nigeria is the largest source of international students from sub-Saharan Africa to the United States in 2009 and 2010.
The don said that 6,568 Nigerian students were studying in over 733 regionally accredited U.S. colleges and universities in all the 50 states, including District of Columbia, according to 2009 and 2010 reports.
“The implication of this is that many of the youths who succeed in leaving Nigeria, having good education and establishing vital career and professional network abroad may not return to work in Nigeria,” Nwokeocha said.
According to him, the quantum of money that leaves Nigeria annually to foreign countries for education of Nigerians abroad is huge and calls for a radical action to curb the trend which is taking its toll on our economy.