Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary … both sexes UIS in Nigeria
Nigeria: Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary … both sexes UIS was 146,286 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in Nigeria, 1998–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2023, total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in Nigeria stood at 146,286. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 30.0% on the previous year and up 128.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in Nigeria peaked at 146,286 in 2023 and was at its lowest, 22,300, in 1998.
That places Nigeria 3rd out of 210 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary … both sexes UIS in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 22,300 | — |
| 1999 | 22,629 | +1.5% |
| 2000 | 23,548 | +4.1% |
| 2001 | 24,458 | +3.9% |
| 2002 | 25,743 | +5.3% |
| 2003 | 28,141 | +9.3% |
| 2004 | 30,943 | +10.0% |
| 2005 | 34,454 | +11.3% |
| 2006 | 35,630 | +3.4% |
| 2007 | 38,133 | +7.0% |
| 2008 | 41,811 | +9.6% |
| 2009 | 50,218 | +20.1% |
| 2010 | 52,661 | +4.9% |
| 2011 | 57,079 | +8.4% |
| 2012 | 58,162 | +1.9% |
| 2013 | 64,129 | +10.3% |
| 2014 | 79,720 | +24.3% |
| 2015 | 92,411 | +15.9% |
| 2016 | 96,562 | +4.5% |
| 2017 | 85,877 | -11.1% |
| 2018 | 76,337 | -11.1% |
| 2019 | 69,369 | -9.1% |
| 2020 | 74,413 | +7.3% |
| 2021 | 85,332 | +14.7% |
| 2022 | 112,498 | +31.8% |
| 2023 | 146,286 | +30.0% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 146,286 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 11,955, 12.2× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 146,286 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 7,852, 18.6× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 22,464 | 22,300 | 22,629 | 2 |
| 2000s | 33,308 | 23,548 | 50,218 | 10 |
| 2010s | 73,231 | 52,661 | 96,562 | 10 |
| 2020s | 104,632 | 74,413 | 146,286 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More education data for Nigeria
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 912,245 (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.08 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.24 million (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 15.20 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 33.42 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.18 % change on previous year (2021)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1466 units per person (2023)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in Nigeria?
- Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in Nigeria was 146,286 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 146,286 in 2023.
- What is the lowest total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 22,300 in 1998.
- How does Nigeria rank for total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying?
- Nigeria ranks 3rd out of 210 countries with data for 2023.
- Is total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 128.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying abroad, all countries, both sexes (UIS estimate) (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 26 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release