U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, affecting nearly 6,800 foreign students.
The decision has profound implications for Nigerian-born students and those intending to study at the prestigious institution.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the termination of Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, accusing the university of fostering violence and anti-semitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.
This action could force current international students to transfer to other schools or risk losing their legal status in the U.S.
For Nigerian students, who form a significant part of Harvard's international community from Africa, the crackdown is particularly alarming.
About 48 Nigerian students and 35 scholars were enrolled in the university in 2022, with the alumni numbering 737.
As the top African country sending students to the United States, Nigeria has approximately 20,029 students enrolled across U.S. institutions, according to the Open Doors Report.
Decision is Illegal - Harvard
Harvard has condemned the Trump administration's decision as illegal and retaliatory, asserting that it affects thousands of students' futures.
The university's refusal to provide certain information about foreign student visa holders led to the escalation, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Nigerian students, along with their peers from other countries, now face an uncertain future, with their academic and professional aspirations hanging in the balance.
