Impact of Globalization on Nigeria Education System: Challenges in the New Millennium

Abstract

Internationalization of higher education is one of the dynamism of globalization which has reduced institutions of higher learning to a global village by facilitating teaching and learning across Nations and Continents. Not fewer than 4.3 million students chose to study abroad in 2011 and projected to increase to approximately 5.8 million by the year 2020. The trend now is that international certificate is seen as a symbol of prestige worldwide with the development of knowledge based economy. The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the push-pull factors of Nigerian international students resulting from ill-conceived and poorly implemented educational policies from colonial era in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the multiplier effects on the economy and the system. The consequences of these policy summersault is the brain drain which has implications on the society with loss of trained, skilled, competent and qualified professionals needed for economic rejuvenation. It serves as clarion call to the Government of Nigeria to be proactive on international student mobility policy. The paper was based on the reviews of Nigeria educational policies, relevant literatures and internet publications on international higher education, industry reports and international organizations statistics.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n1p89