After completing basic, high school and first degree studies in Africa, many students from Africa often seek for study abroad opportunities. Many successful and unsuccessful applicants have described the process to secure admissions to graduate schools in Europe and America as time consuming, expensive and emotionally draining.

Despite studying English-taught programs right from the basic to the tertiary level, universities in Europe and America still require English proficiency tests as part of documents needed for study abroad applocations.

For years, many Africans in academia have kicked against this practice, however, just a few have taken action against it.

One of such persons is Nigeria’s Dr Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi who recently petitioned the graduate school of the University of Alberta, Canada requesting them to exclude Nigeria from the list of countries whose students are required to present IELTS and other English proficiency tests before admission.

University of Alberta, Canada has granted his request!

Sharing the good news with his Linkedin followers, the Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi wrote:

“About 2 weeks ago, I initiated a request via email, Linkedin and Twitter to the graduate school of the University of Alberta asking that applicants from Nigeria should be exempt from submitting English proficiency tests.

I followed up with a reminder on Monday and as of today, I am happy to inform you that Nigeria has been added to the list of countries in which English is the official language of instruction.”

Since seeing the news, prospective applicants from other Anglophone countries have called on Graduate schools in Europe to exclude English proficiency tests as compulsory requirements for admission.

Congratulations Dr Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi for your efforts in making education accessible to all!