Nigerians have highest level of education in the US – Survey
March 20, 2012 by Olabisi Deji-Folutile Leave a Comment

Nigerian immigrants have the highest levels of education in Houston and in the United states of America in general, surpassing whites and Asians, according to a Census data bolstered by an analysis of 13 annual Houston-area surveys, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Experts claim this could be the result of Nigeria’s free education policy at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, particularly in public schools.

David Olowokere, originally from Nigeria and the Chairman of Texas Southern University’s Department of Engineering Technologies, told Casimir that holding a Master’s degree just wasn’t good enough for his people back home. So he got a doctorate. His wife, Shalewa Olowokere, is a civil engineer and holds a Master’s degree.

According to a 2006 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, 17 per cent of all Nigerians in the US hold a Master’s degree, four per cent hold a doctorate and 37 per cent have a bachelor’s degree. In comparison, eight per cent of the white population in the U.S. hold a Master’s degrees, one per cent hold a doctorate and 19 per cent have a bachelor’s degrees.

The Nigerian numbers are strikingly high, Roderick Harrison told Casimir. He is a demographer at the Joint Centre for Political and Economic Studies, a Washington D.C. think-thank that specialises in researching black issues.

However, Stephen Klineberg, a Sociologist at Rice University who conducts the annual Houston Area Survey, suspects the percentage of Nigerian immigrants with post-graduate degrees is higher than the Census data shows.

According to the latest Census data there are more than 12,000 Nigerians in Houston. This is a figure sociologists and Nigerian community leaders say is a gross undercount, as they believe the number is closer to 100,000.

Out of all the Nigerian immigrants Kleinberg reached in his random phone surveys in 1994 through 2007—a total of 45 households—40 per cent of them told him they had post-graduate degrees.

The reasons Nigerians have more post-graduate degrees than any other racial or ethnic group is largely due to the Nigerian society’s emphasis on mandatory and free education, Casimir reports.

Giving reasons for this trend, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, explained that what was being witnessed in the US was a reflection of what was happening in Nigeria.

According to him, Nigeria has sufficient number of people with higher degrees at home given its status as the largest nation on the African continent.

And since education is an international commodity, he said that the excess supply often migrate to other parts of the world in search of greener pasture. He told THE PUNCH on the telephone that, “Nigeria has the highest number of the good just as well as the bad. At home, we don’t value what we have. That is why these people go abroad. A lot of these people want to come back home but they find it difficult to do so.”

On the implication of having highly qualified Nigerians in the US when there is gross scarcity of lecturers in Nigerian universities for instance, the VC said not everyone with a doctorate degree was necessarily qualified to be a good teacher in Nigeria.

He said, “It does not follow that if they come back to Nigeria that they will get good jobs. We have to do a thorough need analysis. Are these people qualified in the appropriate disciplines where we need lecturers in Nigeria? Those are the issues. So it may be convenient for these people to stay where they are.’’

The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, said the population of Nigeria could be a major factor.

“Nigeria has the second largest population of blacks in the world. When a country is overpopulated, there is every tendency for people to migrate,’’ he said.

Ibidapo-Obe, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos added, “Secondly, the economic situation of the country is another factor. Our economy cannot be compared to that of the United States and people are in search of good facilities and an economy that is up and going.”

There is brain-drain; students want a university that has an up-to-date equipment and facilities in place.

“Let’s face it, the education facilities in Nigerian universities are inferior to that of the US. Also, the level of preparation in terms of the rigour that goes on in Nigerian universities is very low. Students are trained to know what is in the book. The practical area is low,” he explained

Source: http://www.punchng.com/education/nigerians-have-highest-level-of-education-in-the-us-survey/

and how is all of this education used to develop Nigeria ? Nigerians are only educated on paper but many of US are not proactive change agents. We like to wait for God, a celebrity, or do follow - follow.


Nigeria is one of the few places in the world where a criminal can come back to rule the nation.... once all of this education transitions into real change hen I can attempt to believe that there is hope.

Free and compulsory education in public schools at all levels? Did I just read that or my mind is playing tricks on me.

above all! Nigeria still stagnant.

Yes! because when you migrate to a country like US, its either you reaffirm your educational qualification or step aside.
Can we check the statistics for Nigerians in China?

Yes Nigerians are hard working & want to get better but I would prefer not to relate this to the educational system in Nigeria because its crap.
The educational system is an offshoot of the total system of management. In my opinion, the entire system is a big blunder for now.

babaowo: above all! Nigeria still stagnant.

I agree with you.[img]http://www.lzxin.info/g.php[/img]

Most educated my foot! Wen most of doz grey hair professors cn‘t even invent some simple tools dat cn beta d lyfs of Nigerians.
All dey do is chase young galz abt on campus..mtchewww!!!

so our own education is a curse instead of development. We have millions of bachelors,masters and phd holders in govt,but what is their full time job? just guest-ole,oshi.
The way forward is certificates and diplomas in technical education not phd .Thanks to u.i ,imt and yabatech.then we pray for energy[power] for the graduates in welding,carpentry,electrical and mechanics.Then China will not see our back in development.

Most educated my foot! Wen most of doz grey hair professors cn‘t even invent some simple tools dat will beta d lyfs of Nigerians.
All they do is chase young galz abt on campus....mtchewww!!!

Most educated my foot! Most of d grey haired professors cn‘t even invent a simple tool dat will beta d lyfs of Nigerians.
All they do is chase young galz abt on campus....mtchewww!!!

mekaboy: THE CORRUPT POLITICIANS STEAL, SEND THEIR CHILDREN ABROAD TO STUDY UP TO DOCTORATE LEVEL, THE CHILDREN EVENTUALLY RETURN HOME, TAKE POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS, STEAL AND SEND THEIR OWN CHILDREN ABROAD TO GET THEIR OWN DOCTORATE.

SO 90% OF THE EDUCATION IS DONE IN PREPARATION FOR A POLITICAL APPOINTMENT TO STEAL FROM NIGERIA.

i go with ur philosophy...Nigerians are hard working but all their efforts are made useless but our leader...i only blame our legislathives and Executhives for anything
when you complain they tell you that the country is over-populated,Are morethan China or U.S ?

sleekcm: Free and compulsory education in public schools at all levels? Did I just read that or my mind is playing tricks on me.

Hahahaha RFLMAO

The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, said the population of Nigeria could be a major factor.

“Nigeria has the second largest population of blacks in the world. When a country is overpopulated, there is every tendency for people to migrate,’’ he said.

And which country has the largest population of blacks?

of what use is it when the education is not been used to transform the economy.

zuzu-onyi:
The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, said the population of Nigeria could be a major factor.

“Nigeria has the second largest population of blacks in the world. When a country is overpopulated, there is every tendency for people to migrate,’’ he said.

And which country has the largest population of blacks?

i wonder what the prof meant by the above statement. Nigeria remains the most populous black nation on earth.

the only reason is dat the competion in nigeria is quite high, to secure a good job you have to have extra qualification.it is nt based on free rducation at all

hibba: the only reason is dat the competion in nigeria is quite high, to secure a good job you have to have extra qualification.it is nt based on free rducation at all

My brother, even extra qualificationssssssssssssss guarantee nothing. Do you know that you can hire a foreign trained, especially a UK trained Nigerian, to work for you for as low as 70-110k? Mind you, I am talking about a Master`s degree holder O. Supply exceeds demand, giving employers the confidence to hire anybody at a below market clearing wage. Pathetic.

Nigerians are hardwking people; but only have bad leaders..

as the saying goes:-

a group of Sheep led by a Lion will be more powerful & successful than
a group of Lions led by a sheep .

Nigerians are very brilliant people and most hard working people in the world. For Nigeria to progress, we must get rid of these bastards, rogues, imbeciles and arrogant morons in power.

Wasted talents

what is the purpose of all the education we gain if we do not have industries to employ the graduate. what will our children in Nigeria be doing for work in 20 years from now? how long will children ( and their parents!) in Nigeria ,dream only to travel and live abroad? No viable commercial manufacturing sector in Nigeria. We are not outsourcing IT service industry like china or India. I think the emphasis on education came from a colonial mental-ism and is not working for us. All it has done is to make us feel arrogant and intelligent and very materialist a culture with nothing to show for it ,unless we gain a decent job as 3rd class citizen abroad. Some of these "high level graduates " are illiterates mentality with college education. nothing to be proud of.

Emperor5c: Most educated my foot! Wen most of doz grey hair professors cn‘t even invent some simple tools dat cn beta d lyfs of Nigerians.
All dey do is chase young galz abt on campus..mtchewww!!!

You have to be very realistic and rational when you make such a comment. Inventions are only done by professors in engineering and science fields. If 80% of these professors have their Phds in social science and humanities, it is very unlikely to see any inventions. Now, historically Nigerian Igbo professors and engineers under Biafra invented lots of military and non-military equipment used in the war. Read about the great Professor Gordian Obuneme Ezekwe, who supervised and led many of the Biafra inventions. He was a genius!

Read Below....

The Identification of the True Heroes and Men of Exceptional Talent on Both Sides

Those who deserve nomination for the highest decorations as true heroes and patriots must include both Benjamin Adekunle (Black Scorpion) from the Nigerian side and probably Col. Joe Achuzie (Hannibal) or (Air Raid) from the Biafran side. To these must be added a certain great Biafran leader of a band of inventive scientists and technological whiz-kids. Professor Gordian Obuneme Ezekwe (1929-1997). He led the teams variously called Research and Production Board, Science Group, PRODEV, PRODA etc. Prof. Ezekwe and his men wrought wonders even long after the war. Professor Ezekwe was very appropriately made Minister of Science and Technology by IBB, a post he adorned so well before he died. Those are the three colourful heroes of the war that we all hope was not fought in vain.

Prof. G. O. Ezekwe, along with his team armed with the Ibo spirit of inventiveness, never-say-die entrepreneurial spirit constructed mini refineries, supplied various daily needs of the civil population locally-made fabricated weapons, bombs, rockets, including the famous Ogbunigwes, landmines called foot cutters and things named 'Marshalls,' 'Genocide' and of course, shot-guns revolvers, hand grenades, ammunition and explosives of various descriptions. A good statue of him should be erected by the Federal Government possibly at Aba.

I knew Ezekwe very well, having interacted actually with him when I was Executive Secretary of the National Science and Technology Agency between 1978 and early 1980. I always made sure I supplied him with all the research funds he applied for, the very same day, without his having to defend his proposal. He was a wonderful man, ahead of us all at the Science Secretariat!

Five things stand out. For the most dramatic key battles, one on each side, I should choose Nigeria's strategic early victory at BONNY and of course, the brilliant Biafran cutting up of the Federal convoy at ABAGANA. No doubt Bonny and Abagana are the aces. As to logistical inventiveness, Biafra's Science Group under EZEKWE is the sole winner of gold in this category. Benjamin Adekunle and Joe Achuzie deserve their gold medals. Let us please listen to Major General Chris Ali for once and stop cheating and pretence about this dark period in our national history. BENJY, the hero of yester-years and icon oftoday, I pray and hope this is the begining of the flow of great and good things for you from your country and its authorIties at all levels. Please let's all stand and give a round of applause for the man whose achievements we all converge here to celebrate.

I THANK YOU ALL, OCF, ODF and every individual here present.

Inspite of the higher degrees Nigerians amass there is no visible positive effect on the society. It's all for personal advancement really.