By Victor Asije
Lagos – About 32 universities and colleges from the U.S. on Tuesday converged on Lagos to into introduce their institutions’ qualitative educational opportunities to young Nigerians.
Ms Darcy Zotter, the new Public Affairs Officer in the Lagos U.S. Consulate-General, said that the institutions were in Lagos to participate in the 17th EducationUSA College and Career Fair.
According to her, EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 400 international student advising centre in more than 170 countries, including Nigeria.
Zotter said that the fair was organised by EducationUSA in Lagos to encourage more young Nigerians to study in different U.S. universities and colleges.
“U.S. higher institutions are consistently ranked among the top in the world. So, when these young Nigerians study in these institutions, they are going to getting quality education.
“We believe that Nigerians will benefit from studying in these universities and colleges.
“There are approximately about 9,500 Nigerian students currently studying in the U.S.
“Additionally, our universities and colleges are here to interact with young Nigerians in making the right educational choices,’’ she said.
The public affairs officer advised young Nigerians to always avail themselves of the opportunities that abound in U.S. universities and colleges.
She said that the U.S. government would continue to promote people-to-people exchanges as a component of strengthening its relations with the global community.
Ms Ejiro Ojakow, who attended Villawova University, Pennysylvania, urged young Nigerians to exploit educational and career development opportunities in the U.S.
Ojakow, now an Operation Integrity Analyst in Oando Plc, said that her education in the U.S. really prepared her for international standards.
“I strongly believe that the opportunities being offered by the EducationUSA should be taken advantage of by young Nigerians,’’ she said.
Mr Nwaji Jibunoh, a graduate of Howard University, now a Managing Consultant in Philips Consulting, said that it was a wonderful experience studying in the U.S.
Jibunoh advised young Nigerians to strive to acquire qualitative education in the U.S. and to always come back to Nigeria to apply their education in the transformation of the country.
The One-day College and Career Fair brought together young boys and girls from public and private secondary schools from Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States.