Nigeria’s reported expenditure of $11.1 billion on foreign education between 2020 and mid-2025 has renewed concerns over the competitiveness of local educational institutions.

To this end, state education commissioners, governors, federal officials and other stakeholders are preparing to examine reforms aimed at improving teaching, research and skills development.

The issue is expected to feature prominently at the 2026 Nigeria Education Forum (NEF), scheduled for December 9 and 10 at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, where participants will explore ways to strengthen Nigeria’s education system, improve learning outcomes and reduce the factors driving demand for overseas education.

The two-day summit is being organised by the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education in Nigeria (COSCEN), in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and other education stakeholders.

With the theme, “Education Import: Transforming Nigeria’s Education System for Local Impact and Global Competitiveness,” the forum will examine the implications of Nigerians spending billions of dollars on tuition, accommodation and other expenses associated with studying abroad.

Reports citing data from the Central Bank of Nigeria indicate that Nigerians spent about $1.39 billion on foreign education in the first half of 2025, while cumulative expenditure was estimated at $11.1 billion between 2020 and mid-2025.

Although overseas education offers students opportunities for international exposure, specialised training and academic collaboration, the scale of the reported expenditure has raised questions about the capacity of domestic institutions to meet the expectations of students and their families.