The President of the American University of Nigeria, Yola, Dr DeWayne Frazier, has identified restrictive government policies, high health insurance costs and cumbersome immigration procedures as factors discouraging international students from choosing Nigerian universities.
Frazier made the comments in an interview with The Sun, published on August 18, 2026.
According to him, Nigeria has the potential to become a major education destination in Africa but needs to remove policies that make it difficult or expensive for international students to study in the country.
He specifically cited new health insurance requirements under which foreign students reportedly have to pay more than $1,100 for insurance.
Frazier said the additional cost could make Nigerian universities less attractive to students from other African countries, particularly families with limited purchasing power.
He called on the Federal Government to simplify immigration procedures and review policies that increase the cost of studying in Nigeria.
He also urged Nigeria to deliberately market its universities across Africa and create incentives for institutions that successfully attract international students.
According to Frazier, international students bring more than tuition revenue to host countries. They contribute different cultures, ideas and experiences to university campuses while also contributing to local economies.
He said Nigeria should view higher education as both an educational and economic activity and work towards becoming a regional education hub.
The AUN president also argued that Nigeria’s education system should provide multiple pathways after secondary school.
He said university education was not necessarily suitable for every young person, but every young Nigerian should have access to some form of post-secondary education, including technical and vocational education, entrepreneurship and livelihood programmes.
Frazier further called for entrepreneurship to be integrated into Nigeria’s education system, arguing that young people should be prepared not only to seek employment but also to create jobs.
His comments have renewed questions about Nigeria’s competitiveness in the international education market and whether government policies are helping or hindering the country’s ambition to become an African education hub.
Source attribution: The Sun Nigeria, August 18, 2026; American University of Nigeria.
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