The European Union, EU, has reiterated its commitment to offer regular migration opportunities for young Nigerians to travel and study in Europe based on their merit, capacity and abilities.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Samuela Isopi, who disclosed this during the 2023 ERASMUS Plus pre-departure orientation event in Abuja, said that Nigeria is the top country in Africa and among the top five globally, together with Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Brazil in education.
According to Ambassador Samuela, “We want Nigeria to be number one in the world and we will work for that, together with the Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission and Nigerian Universities, to get there. Almost eight hundred Nigerians have benefited from ERASMUS Masters Study programme since 2014, five hundred in the past 4 years. The number of Nigerian awardees has been growing constantly and reached 200 awardees last year.”
The envoy explained that the EU-fully funded scholarships for post-graduate/master study programme will run for 12-24 months. She reiterated that ERASMUS Plus is a unique multi-country and multi-cultural programme that gives the opportunity for students to study in at least three different universities in three different countries.
She noted that at the end of the study programme, the student will receive an internationally recognised Master-degree, jointly awarded by a consortium of top-level universities in the framework of the ERASMUS Mundus Joint Master Degree programme, which are high-level integrated study programmes as a result of international partnership between top-level higher education institutions.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education in Nigeria, Andrew David Adejo, expressed pleasure in the EU-NIGERIA cooperation.
Mr. Adejo said the prestigious and renowned program has a rich history with a significant impact on individuals and institutions across Europe and beyond.
“Since its launch in 1987, it had remained steadfast in promoting international cooperation and mobility in the field of higher education. The programme has promoted academic excellence and innovation as well as encouraged the exchange of knowledge and best practices among participants. It has also helped in facilitating social and intercultural dialogue as well as promoting mutual respect
and tolerance.
“Permit me therefore to congratulate each of the 135 Nigerian students who have been awarded the prestigious Erasmus+ scholarship. This achievement is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and exceptional academic abilities. You have proven yourself worthy of this great opportunity and I am immensely proud to witness your success.
“As you embark on this journey, I would like to emphasize the immense potential and life-changing opportunities that lie ahead of you, the Erasmus+ programme is not merely a scholarship but a gateway to new horizons, a chance to broaden your perspectives and a platform to build lasting connections with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds. It offers you a unique blend of academic excellence
personal growth and intercultural understanding. I encourage you to actively contribute to the academic and social
Conviction of your host institutions”.
On his part, the Acting Executive Secretary of NUC, Mr.Chris Maiyaki said the Erasmus+ scholarship of the EU was a clear indication of the long-standing cooperation between the EU and NUC.
“This occasion presents an opportunity to celebrate the long-standing partnership of a fruitful friendship between the EU and the NUC.
One of the awardees, Deborah Amos, who studied Physics at the University of Jos, Plateau state, North central Nigeria, said she got to know about Erasmus + through some of her friends, who are currently scholars both in France and Italy. “For me, it is a dream come true for me to go and study in Europe. The first time I applied was in 2021 but was not successful. I was determined to build myself because I’m an advocate for personal growth.
Erasmus+ is the European Union’s flagship programme for higher education students, staff and institutions from around the world, both for individuals and for organisations. In addition, Erasmus + offers international opportunities in the field of youth, vocational education and training, and Sport. Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation.
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programmes is a key component of Erasmus+ which offers innovative cross-border programmes – crossing geographic and thematic borders.
The programme has a multi-country aspect which takes the awardee to two or more countries in Europe
Dominica Nwabufo
