Nigeria is a West African country bordering Gulf of Guinea between Benin and Cameroon. Nigeria’s natural resources include natural gas, petroleum, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead zink, arable land etc. It is the largest producer of oil in Africa and its economy largely depends on it. Oil provides 20 percent of GDP. 95 percent of foreign earnings come from oil and 65 percent of budgetary revenues come from it. Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world and the 8th largest exporter.
The 2006 population census showed that Nigerian population is just over 140million. Principal ethnic divisions lie between the North, mainly Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups, the East predominantly Ibo and the South West, Yoruba. There are over 250 ethnic groups and languages but English is the official language. English language is the first language of the new generation Nigeria as some don’t speak their mother tongue. Successive governments have made efforts at tackling the poverty level of the populace but despite all efforts, 60 percent of Nigerians still live below poverty level. The civilian government that came to power in 1999 after a protracted period of military in power has been making some major economic reforms. This has been yielding results as the middle class is now springing up again in Nigeria. The GDP has grown from 1.19 percent in 1999 to 5.63 in 2006. Inflation has reduced to 5.6 percent in 2006 from11.60 percent in 1999.
The labour force occupation is broken down as follow:
- Agriculture 70 percent
- Industry 10 percent
- Services 20 percent
Lagos, the former Capital City of Nigeria remains the economic capital. According to the 2006 population census, Lagos is the second most populous city in Nigeria after Kano. This is however being contested as many believe that Lagos has the most population in Nigeria.
General elections have been fixed for April 2007 and this will mark the end of the eight years in power of President Olusegun Obasanjo who has been ruling under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Nigerians generally value the high quality of the UK education. Ability to pay and high visa refusal rate are however limiting them.
Nigeria gained its independence from Britain in 1960. The British system of education has consequently impacted greatly on its evolving education system. In 1977, a national policy on education was drafted with the aim of giving a clear identity to the Nigerian education. This brought about a model called six-three-three-four system. This system consist of six years of primary education, three years of junior secondary education, three years of senior secondary education and four years of university education.
In 2006, a number of reforms were proposed to the education sector. One of the reforms was on the education system which is now referred to as nine-three-four model.
Merger of polytechnics with universities has been proposed as well. This would imply that the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) would be the only coordinating body for tertiary education in the near future although a clear blueprint is still pending.
Private participation in education at the post secondary level has became popular in the last ten years. Out of 67 universities in Nigeria, 21 are privately owned while the government owns the remaining 46. There are also more than 250 higher education and research institutions in Nigeria.
It is estimated that Nigerians under 14 years (primary and secondary school age) are over 55 million and the school facilities on ground can only cater for only about 25 million. This pattern cuts across all levels in Nigeria.
Some private individuals have taken advantage of the collapsing standards in public educational institutions and have therefore invested heavily in setting up of schools. In the last 20 years, many private primary and secondary schools have been established. These schools are located in the cities as well as in villages far from the main cities. Some of these schools teach the British curriculum, A-Levels, Foundation Programmes and International Baccalaureate is also available though limited.
Major competitors in the market are the USA, Canada, Australia and South Africa.
Nigeria with a huge population of over 140 million people of which over 60 percent are youths, presents a significant market opportunity. A little over one percent of the population (1.5million) are in higher education. The university structure can only accommodate 147,000 out of the 1.5 million. Problems of inadequate facilities, crumbling infrastructure, cultism, exam malpractices, and curriculum issues are among other challenges which make Nigerians, especially those who can afford it, to seek opportunity for quality education outside the country.
The combined efforts of the UK institutions visiting periodically to market their institutions; education agents; British Council; alumni and word of mouth, provide an awareness for the UK education in Nigeria.
Over the years, Nigerians whose career prospects have been enhanced as a result of their UK qualifications have also had a positive impact on the demand for UK education.
The Ministry of Education is proposing curriculum overhaul in conjunction with the private sector to delve into curriculum areas that have not been very popular in Nigeria but globally time relevant. Among these are performing arts, hospitality, technical training linked to key sectors like paralegal, banking, construction and so on.
Nigerians have a varied interest in subject areas. Business studies, computer science and management courses top the list for postgraduate level. Business studies, electrical and electronic engineering, and computer science top the chart for undergraduate level.
The United States of America is a major competitor in the market which maintains a lead in the undergraduate market due to longstanding family ties, and comparability of US and Nigerian education systems.
The British Council has four offices in Nigeria and three of these offices are Education UK Partnership supported. The supported offices are located in Abuja, Kano and Lagos; and they all provide core services to Education UK Partners. The strategic focus of the Education UK Partnership in Nigeria is to:
- ensure quality service provision is delivered to Education UK Partnership members;
- raise awareness of how to access quality and reliable UK education information among people interested in gaining UK qualifications;
- build sustainable capacity to work with agents, alumni and institutions in Nigeria
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