The United States (U.S) Consul General, John Bray, has urged Nigerian students admitted for the 2017-18 academic session in U.S. to be worthy ambassadors of the country, as they get set to depart for their various Universities across the states, at the 2017 Education USA Pre-departure orientation held at the U.S. embassy in Lagos.
In his address to the students, Bray said students within the Lagos Consulate district have received scholarships from several U.S. universities totaling $2 million, thanks to the Education USA advisors.
According to Bray, “Many of you in this room have received scholarships to attend prestigious universities like Howard University, Syracuse University, Drexel University, University of Wisconsin in Madison, University of Texas at Dallas, Wellesley College, and Rochester Institute of Technology to pursue a variety of majors, including engineering, public health, computer science, business, chemistry, and economics both at undergraduate and graduate levels.”
“As you depart for the U.S. in the next few days, remember that you are going to be representing your country to many people who may never have met an African or a Nigerian before. I urge you to be exceptional ambassadors for Nigeria and to take seriously your responsibilities to be good citizens and scholars, just as I wish you great success in your chosen academic fields and a fulfilling experience in the United States of America,” he concludes.
According to the latest Institute of International Education’s Open Doors report, the number of Nigerian students pursuing higher education in the United States has increased in the past years. About 10,674 Nigerians are studying at more than 730 colleges and universities in the United States, making Nigeria the leading source of African students in the United States. Nigeria also ranks as the 14th nation worldwide with the most students in the United States.
Seyi John Salau
