Good News: Canadian University removes Nigeria from English Language test requirement

Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi, a Nigerian postdoctoral research fellow in Canada, recently persuaded the University of Alberta to waive the English language test requirement for Nigerian students.

 

Good News: Canadian University removes Nigeria from English Language test requirement

Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi, a Nigerian postdoctoral research fellow in Canada, recently persuaded the University of Alberta to waive the English language requirement for Nigerian students.

The University of Alberta, Canada has removed Nigeria’s name from the list of countries that must present proof of English test. This followed a request made in writing by Dr Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi, a Nigerian academic based in Canada Now, Nigerians seeking admission into the school will not have to border about English language test.

The Nigerian academic based in Canada, stated on Twitter that he had written to the University of Alberta’s graduate school to request that Nigerian applicants be excluded from taking the test.

He said that Nigeria has been added to the list of countries list of countries that speaks English as her official language of instruction after following up.

His request was granted as Nigerian students seeking admission into the school henceforth will not need an English Language requirement test before given admission.

 

 

Although the University of Alberta previously recognised some Nigerian schools whose students do not need an English Languauge test, Dr Igbalajobi’s request saw the school granting a full waiver.

“The official language of Nigeria is English,” he said, “which inevitably correlates to the fact that all academic programs from primary to higher education are taught in English.”
According to him, Nigeria should have been exempted totally, not just a few institutions.

Nigerians have been campaigning for years, but most recently intensified the #ReformIELTS campaign, which asks foreign universities to exempt Nigerian students from taking English language tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (TOEFL).

Around 40,000 Nigerians signed a petition in January requesting that the United Kingdom (UK) home office either remove Nigeria from the list of nations whose residents are obliged to take English proficiency exams or reduce the exam fees.

“I am confident that the University of Alberta attracts applicants from a variety of backgrounds, and that inclusivity is important to her.” Mr Igbalajobi wrote, “It will be greatly appreciated if the existing list is revised or reworded to reflect all universities in Nigeria….”

 

The reaction of the university

Mr. Igbalajobi’s email “surfaced a major issue of disparities between ELP exempted countries as listed across Canadian post-secondary institutions,” according to the university, which acknowledged his email.

It stated that it will work with its U15 partners to ensure consistency in the reference list, but that “in the meantime, Nigeria will be included to the list.”

It (University of Alberta) is home to a large number of Nigerian graduate students, and it will ensure that Nigerians and other prospective students receive correct information when they “research and apply to our university.”

Here is the request Dr Igbalajobu made

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 exempted 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. All the best to applicants!

Together, we can achieve a lot!!!

 

This is a Great News for Nigerians willing to study in the University of Alberta.