US consulate opens EducationUSA advising center in Ibadan

The United States consulate has opened an EducationUSA advising center in Ibadan, Oyo state.

EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 400 international student advising centers in more than 170 countries.

According to a statement by the consulate on Wednesday, the center would be hosted at the American corner, 52 magazine road, Jericho, Ibadan.

It added that the center would be open to the public, and would offer individual, group and online advising sessions aimed at enabling more students to pursue their dreams of studying in the United States.

While encouraging students to register at the center, the consulate in its statement, said representatives from US and EducationUSA advisors would periodically be available to interact with registered members.

“At the center, 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,” the statement read.

“Young Nigerians considering bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral studies in the U.S. are encouraged to visit the EducationUSA Advising Center and learn more about its services. In addition to Ibadan, EducationUSA Advising Centers are located in Lagos, Abuja, Calabar, Jos and Kano.”

The consulate also noted, that in the last 21 years, the EducationUSA advising Centers in Nigeria had directly contributed to an increase in the number of highly qualified Nigerian applicants to U.S. institutions.

At a ceremony attended by teachers, students, and educational administrators, Stephen Ibelli, the consulate’s public affairs officer, said the center would help undergraduate and graduate students navigate the admissions process.

He added that it would provide them with comprehensive information about the more than 4,000 accredited higher education institutions in the United States.   

“We are extremely pleased to open an EducationUSA Advising Center in Ibadan,” he said.

“Nigeria is home to so many talented, ambitious young people, who often ask us about studying in the United States.

“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.”

Sukanmi Olaleye, Oyo state commissioner for education, science and technology, expressed the readiness of the state government to partner with the US consulate to expand access to the services of the new EducationUSA advising center.