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Dr. Yeside Oyetayo, the Academic Director for MIE Pathways Nigeria, has stated that a demand for international qualifications certification degrees from amongst Nigerians necessitated the launch of the organisation in the country.

Dr. Oyetayo stated this while speaking with journalists at the MIE Pathways Nigeria launch event held in Lagos on Wednesday, October 8.

She noted that with MIE Pathways’ incursions into Nigeria, students will be able to have their first and second year education in the country, while they can finish in any partnership university of their choice around the globe.

“We found out that traveling abroad to study is becoming very expensive because of the exchange rate.

“With MIE Pathways coming into Nigeria, we are complementing the efforts of parents who want international degrees for their children. It’s a more affordable option in which parent don’t have to spend as much as they would if they had sent their ward abroad for a degree.

“It’s also an opportunity for people who have HND and OND to convert and have a BSC from any university among our partnering universities, which are spread all over the world, including New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the UK, to mention a few,” Oyetayo stated.

Further, Oyetayo noted thus: “Most parents are used to their wards doing foundation here, but for this MIE Pathways, we are not doing a foundation, it’s the first year of a University degree and the second year. The NCUK is one of our partners; we are leveraging their partnership with a lot of universities around the world.”

Oyetayo emphasized that eligibility for enrollment into MIE Pathways Nigeria is determined by the NCUK, adding that once the university consortium approves the student’s eligibility, they can do their first year or first and second year of university degree in Nigeria before transitioning abroad to any university of their choice to finish their final year of study.

On the eligibility requirements, she noted that individuals with very sound WAEC results, prior education such as HND, OND and an international foundation from another institution, could also be eligible to start their year one at MIE Pathways Nigeria, adding that the organization prides itself in offering education of international standards, adding that their curriculum is also of international standards. She noted that the educational standard and ambience they offer are the same as what is obtainable abroad.

Grace Usman-Adejo, Regional Manager, West Africa, Keele University, United Kingdom, also showered encomium on MIE Pathways Nigeria, stating that offering the International Year One ( IY1) programme, which allows students to transition up to year two in several universities in the UK, Canada and other countries, is a most welcome development.

According to her, a lot of parents would want their children to be a little more mature before going to the UK. She added that MIE Pathways Nigeria gives intending students the opportunity to develop beyond their education skills, their cognitive and critical learning skills, before coming to the UK or whatever country they choose to complete their studies.

She described MIE Pathway as a welcome development, urging intending students to figure out what path they want to take, seek guidance from the different admission chancellors available, find out what schools are available and what they are looking for in the students.

“We have a lot of conversations about the brain drain, a lot of talents moving out of the country, but I think this kind of import the information that we need because a lot of Nigerians are seeking to actually develop their skills, they are not just seeking to JAPA, as it seems. So, this is a call for the government to see how they could partner with notable organisations, look at how they could improve the socioeconomic situation of Nigerians in Nigeria, and give them the necessary knowledge they need without having to go to the UK. This is something that the government should definitely hop on,” she said.