The United States Consulate General on Wednesday announced its EducationUSA Advising Center in Ibadan, Oyo State. 

The new centre joins the U.S. Department of State’s network of over 430 international student advising centres in more than 175 countries and territories. 

Correspondent Kunle Ojo reports that the US Consulate Public Affairs Officer Stephen Ibelli said the centre will assist prospective undergraduate and graduate students in navigating the admissions process by providing comprehensive and accurate information about the more than 4,000 accredited higher education institutions in the United States. 

According to him, Nigeria is home to so many talented, ambitious young people, who often ask about studying in the United States adding that EducationUSA presents an opportunity for young Nigerians to obtain a world-class education in the United States and then return home to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

On his part, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye expressed the readiness of the state government to partner with the U.S. Consulate to expand access to the services of the new EducationUSA Advising Center. 

Other speakers at the event highlight the significance of the centre to educational development in Nigeria and Africa at large.

The EducationUSA Advising Center hosted at the American Corner, 52 Magazine Road, Jericho in Ibadan, will be open to the public, offering a regular schedule of individual, group and online advising sessions aimed at enabling more students to pursue their dreams of studying in the United States. 

At the centre, students will have the unique opportunity to explore the diversity and vitality of higher education in the United States.

Periodically, representatives from U.S. institutions, alumni as well as EducationUSA advisors will be available to interact with registered members and other interested members of the public. 

According to the latest Institute of International Education Open Doors Report, Nigeria retained its top ranking as the number one source of African students studying in the United States. About 13,762 Nigerians study at more than 1,000 U.S. colleges and universities.