Endless education fairs, shopping for students
During these education fairs, some fair-minded organisers counsel Nigerian students on the benefits and pitfalls of foreign education. They also lay bare, tiny details that would aid the prospective students make the best possible choices for study as well as help them to map out career paths for themselves after studies.
Organisers also use such fora to brandish the pedigree or educational capacity of the universities or countries they are fronting for, and why Nigerian youths should take more than a passing interest in them.
This was the case when a three-city fair at the behest of Bruhas Educational Services Limited, in conjunction with the Indian High Commission in Nigeria and EdCil (India) Limited took place recently. On November 8 and 11th, Eko Hotel and Suites and the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja respectively played host to hordes of prospective students, their parents, school teachers and administrators, who were there to have audience with representatives of about 50 UK universities and colleges.
The Lagos event was at the instance of the British Council, the UK cultural and educational outfit, which is saddled with such and sundry assignments. While speaking on the rationale behind the fair, a project officer at the council, Sephora Imomoh said, “Studying in any part of the world is about option and not compulsion. But I think more than any other reason, for Nigerians travelling to UK to study is the need to bypass the perennial challenges associated with schools in the country.
For instance, last year, Nigerian varsities went on strike for over five months and some students may really not be pleased with that and considering the fact that one of the greatest strength of UK institutions is the stable academic calendar, the students are certainly attracted.
