Why Nigerian Graduates Are Fleeing for Their Master’s  and What They’re Running From

Fresh out of a bachelor’s degree, you’ve got a few paths: start working, learn a new skill, begin a business, or go on to postgraduate studies. If you’re thinking of a master’s, you’ve probably felt the pull to study abroad. It’s not just wanderlust, it’s often a response to real frustrations at home.

 The Shadow of Strikes and Academic Delays

Let’s be real: Nigerian public universities are almost defined by lecturer strikes. The most recent ASUU strike in 2022 lasted eight full months, almost an entire academic year wasted. One student shared, “That’s eight months wasted out of my life… my mates in private universities have graduated and now have a two years’ start in life” . It wasn’t just time lost, families still paid rent, the academic pace was halted, and students felt powerless .

Media commentary often referred to this as leaving an “indelible mark” on education, saying students look abroad for “stable, uninterrupted education” .

 Weak Infrastructure and Underfunding

It’s not just strikes; it’s systemic underfunding. University buildings are old, labs are poorly equipped, lecture halls crammed. Professors get low pay and can’t do much research. No wonder a report said Nigeria’s universities now “struggle to compete” with peers in Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, which have more reliable calendars and functional facilities .

Why Foreign Grad Schools Still Shine

All this pushes students to see foreign universities as ideal:

1. Reliable Academic Calendar 

No surprise ASUU strikes abroad most schools finish terms on time and get you out in two years or less.

2. Better Facilities & Research Support 

Well-funded labs, libraries, research grants. In contrast, Nigerian students often complain, “labs are empty” and “lecturers are too busy” to support research .

3. Career and Visa Perks

Many countries offer work-study pathways after graduation. Employers especially multinationals often value foreign degrees for the global exposure and improved skill set .

4. Student Support Services

Abroad, you get counseling, career planning, health services, disability access. Many students say the experience is “cleaner, safer, more civilized” .

5. Global Networks 

Learning with friends from everywhere, attending international conferences these build lifelong relationships and open career doors.

But Studying Abroad Isn’t Always Better

Still, there’s more to the story. Many students abroad face culture shock, visa difficulties, and higher living costs. Homesickness hits hard. While foreign degrees are popular, some Nigerians abroad say the cost isn’t always worth it especially when they return home to face local competition and remittances .

Although in Nigeria, some universities are improving:

University of Ibadan, UNILAG, OAU, Covenant, and Landmark now feature on Times Higher Education’s 2025 rankings. They have active postgraduate programs and research initiatives.

Federal universities like UI, UNILORIN, UNIZIK, and FUNAAB benefit from TETFund grants, international research funds, and investments in labs.

Some private universities offer stable programs, modern facilities, and shorter completion times without the need to go abroad.

In other words, the sky isn’t falling on Nigerian postgraduate education, some places are doing much better than their public image suggests.

 What to Think About When Choosing

Do you need newer equipment or global exposure? If your course depends on advanced labs (e.g. biotechnology, renewable energy), and you can get a scholarship, studying abroad may be worth it.

Can you finish on time and close to home? Some Nigerian universities purposely avoid strikes this academic year. Plus, your support system stays intact.

How much can you afford? Even with scholarships, study abroad is expensive. Some Nigerian universities have introduced internal scholarships for postgrad students.

Do your homework. Learn what the school offers now; labs, faculty, research funding, strike history, postgrad intake.

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