Nigeria’s long-running education crisis has taken a more troubling turn as fresh figures from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) show that Nigerians spent $1.39 billion (N2.16 trillion) on foreign education in the first half of 2025 — the highest in five years.
The amount marks a sharp jump from 2024, rising 20 per cent in dollar value and 38 per cent in naira terms, according to the CBN’s latest Balance of Payments report. The surge occurred despite a relatively stable exchange rate during the period, averaging N1,553.6/$.
Education analysts describe the spike as a damning reflection of the collapsing confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, worsened by insecurity, poor facilities, and frequent industrial actions.
Speaking with Business Day, education expert, Christopher Nmeribe, said the growing exodus of students underscores the “fallen standard of learning” and the tough economic realities confronting families.
“Every Nigerian wants to leave the country, even to another African country, just to escape harsh economic challenges,” he said.
“Our universities cannot attract foreign students because of insecurity and the poor quality of education.”
Public servant Olusola Kayode echoed the sentiment, noting that many Nigerians now use foreign admission as a pathway out of the country.
“Truth be told, people are not travelling only for the love of education. Many are seeking better lives,” he said, recalling a security operative who resigned to travel abroad through a study visa route.
Nigeria Spends More Abroad Than It Invests at Home
CBN records show that between 2020 and the first half of 2025, Nigeria spent about $11.1 billion (N9.9 trillion) on foreign education — an amount equivalent to 2.6 percent of the nation’s annual nominal GDP..
The figure exceeds the combined annual education budgets of both federal and state governments within the same period.
Despite this massive outflow, Nigeria attracts virtually no foreign students and earns little or nothing in educational tourism.
President Bola Tinubu allocated N2.52 trillion to education in the 2025 budget — barely five per cent of the entire appropriation and far below UNESCO’s recommended benchmark.
Observers say what is most alarming is that the rising cost of living, unstable economy, and security challenges have not slowed down the rush for foreign schooling.
The CBN figures indicate that foreign education spending has remained resilient, with more Nigerians emigrating even to less popular destinations in search of safety, stability, and better academic opportunities.
Analysts warn that unless Nigeria urgently reforms its education sector — including improving funding, facilities, security, and lecturer welfare — the country may continue losing human capital and foreign exchange at dangerous levels.
They also note that the continued decline in domestic education quality risks undermining national development and deepening brain-drain across critical sectors.
Source: Business Day
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