Nigeria has emerged as the sixth source of international students in the United States (US) with the most STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) talent.

According to data from the 2023–2024 academic year reported by ApplyBoard, 2,786 Nigerian students participated in the US STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme last year, a 24 percent increase from 2023, making Nigeria the sixth largest contributor to the scheme globally.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a work permit for F-1 international students in the US, which allows students to gain practical experience in their field of study. It can be used during or after degree completion. In other to be eligible, students have to be enrolled in an approved institution and have good academic records, whilst maintaining their foreign residence status.

This training contributes to participants acquiring sound technology skills that can drive innovation and economic development, even as they gain experience in STEM-related disciplines in data science, computer engineering, and business analytics.

Compared to Nigerian students, those from India and China led with a wide margin, with 79,331 and 33,807 international students, respectively.

International students’ contribution to STEM talent

Nearly 1.6 million international students from various countries were active in the US in 2024, representing a 5 percent year-on-year increase, according to data from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Nigeria also secured its place as the ninth largest source of international students in the United States, with over 27,900 Nigerian students, a 6 percent rise from the previous year, enrolled across US institutions from the 2023–2024 academic year, based on data from ApplyBoard.

These enrollment figures rebounded from post-pandemic lows but exceeded pre-COVID levels seen in 2019.

However, based on recent policies by the Trump-led administration on the halting of student visas, these figures are expected to reduce drastically.

The central driver that led to the resurgence in the number of STEM professionals is the growing appeal of STEM fields.

In 2024, over 165,000 international students across countries were authorised to undertake Optional Practical Training (OPT) in STEM fields, marking a 36 percent increase from the prior year.

US-based tech giants and research institutions such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and the University of California are among the top employers of STEM OPT participants, indicating the strong alignment between academic training and employment opportunities in STEM fields.

The recent surge In the popularity of business analytics, which rose by 48 percent in enrolment, reflects a growing appetite for programmes that blend technical acumen with strategic business insight, essential for emerging sectors like fintech and logistics.

However, in light of the tighter immigration regulations imposed by the US government, these students are anticipated to complete their studies and return to their home country.

Consequently, this results in a brain gain, as these Nigerian graduates return home with adequate skills and better work experience, making them well-prepared to contribute to the country’s technology sector. (BusinessDay)