Migration of Nigerian postgraduate students in Malaysia :a case study of IIUM

Abstract

The study attempts to clarify the factors influencing Nigerian postgraduate students to undertake higher education studies abroad, focusing on Southeast Asia particularly Malaysia being one of the most influential destinations. A sample of 52 international postgraduate students from Nigeria studying at the International Islamic University Malaysia (Gombak main campus) were selected as informants and their experiences and views were used in the analysis of the data collected. The results show that conditions in both the students’ countries of origin and in the possible hosting countries contribute to the decision to migrate or study abroad. Among the factors that were identified as compelling the Nigerian students to go abroad (push-factors) were the prevailing poor conditions of learning due to political instability in the country, corruption and failure to provide basic infrastructures like lecture rooms, student accommodation, power supply, portable water supply, inadequate manpower, laboratory equipment and other learning facilities in the higher education sector. On the other hand, availability of educational infrastructure, political stability, choice of programmes, moderate tuition fees, affordable cost of living and being a Muslim country have been the motivating factors for many Nigerian students to migrate to Malaysia for better educational opportunities. Finally, the study had also identified some of the challenges confronting the Nigerian students in Malaysia during their study mission; these include stigmatization/stereotype of Nigerians by some locals due to exaggerations and biased media reports on issues to pertaining Nigerians.