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CESI Discovers Nigeria: An Immersion into a Country Experiencing Dynamic Educational Growth

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As part of its international development strategy, CESI has initiated its first engagements in Nigeria. The institution participated in an Undergraduate & Master’s fair held in Abuja and Lagos, organized by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a globally recognized authority in university rankings and the facilitation of academic exchanges between institutions and students.

Developing academic partnerships in Nigeria

From April 21 to 28 April 2025, Sabine Frefield, in charge of relations with international applicants, took part in this prospecting mission alongside a delegation of European institutions.

The aim was to explore opportunities for academic cooperation in a country marked by exceptional demographic growth and to promote CESI’s range of training courses to young Nigerians.

A young and dynamic country with a strong demand for education

With a population of over 230 million and an average age of just 19, Nigeria represents an exceptional reservoir of potential students. The demand for higher education is growing rapidly, particularly in engineering, information technology, and energy-related fields.

The QS fair gave CESI the opportunity to gain exposure among a large number of applicants, who were often highly motivated and keen to gain a better understanding of the French education system. This experience also highlighted the need to adapt to local realities, in a context where education is perceived as a major investment, often financed by private players.

Incoming mobility as a strategic focus

Due to local security and health constraints, academic exchanges remain limited. CESI is therefore implementing a selective incoming mobility strategy, with Nigerian students set to be welcomed soon on its French campuses, particularly in Toulouse. Several applications, primarily at the Bachelor’s level, are already under review.

In parallel, CESI is exploring the development of remote learning courses and joint academic programs to help address the challenges associated with physical mobility.

Enhanced collaboration with local partners

This visit was marked by close collaboration with Campus France Nigeria, which played a key role in facilitating meetings with local institutions. This cooperation is essential to the success of sustainable projects and could also pave the way for the creation of targeted scholarship programs, supporting the enrolment of a growing number of Nigerian students at CESI in the years to come.

A new milestone in CESI’s regional development strategy

This mission to Nigeria represents a continuation of CESI’s ongoing initiatives in English-speaking Africa, with particular focus on Kenya and Ghana. The institution plans to extend these efforts through a wider outreach mission across West Africa, beginning in October 2025.


This initiative aims to strengthen the institution’s visibility, cultivate new strategic partnerships, and attract high-potential international students aspiring to pursue their studies in France.

To learn more about our previous initiatives in East Africa

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