This assurance was given in Abuja on Monday by Professor Saad Daajim, Vice President for Educational and Academic Affairs at King Khalid University, during the opening session of the Forum of Saudi Arabia Universities Alumni in Nigeria and Neighbouring Countries.
Speaking at the event, Professor Daajim revealed that more than 850 Nigerian students are currently enrolled across Saudi universities, while over 3,200 Nigerians have graduated from Saudi institutions in the past decade.
“In Saudi Arabia, there are more than 850 students from this country studying in Saudi universities. Already, in the last one decade, there are more than 3,200 graduates from Nigeria,” he said.
Themed “Alumni of Saudi Universities in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Surrounding Countries and Their Impact on Sustainable Development,” the forum served as a platform for dialogue between Saudi academic institutions and their Nigerian alumni.
Professor Daajim noted that Saudi Arabia remains committed to expanding access to higher education for Nigerian students in diverse disciplines such as education, engineering, sciences, Arabic language, religious studies, and medicine.
“We are proud to accept more Nigerian students in our universities in different disciplines,” he said. “Hopefully, we will arrange a good acceptance rate for this country because it contributes a huge population to the African continent.”
He emphasised that scholarship and admission opportunities in Saudi universities are not limited by religion, highlighting that world-class institutions such as King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) offer programmes open to students from all cultural and religious backgrounds.
“According to our regulation, admission will be accessible to all, even scholarships,” Daajim added. “King Abdullah University of Science and Technology offers scholarships for Muslims and non-Muslims as well. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals also employs and accepts students from all cultures, all religions, and all continents.”
He explained that the alumni forum aims to strengthen engagement between Saudi institutions and their Nigerian graduates, while assessing how their education contributes to sustainable development and national growth upon their return.
“We found them very active, and we expect that when they come back to their country, they will contribute to sustainable development, either for personal growth or for national advancement,” he said.
On academic prospects for Nigerian graduates, Daajim encouraged those interested in furthering their studies to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees, adding that outstanding graduates may also be offered teaching or research positions within Saudi universities.
“When they graduate from Saudi universities, they could continue their higher studies in Master’s or PhD. And if they are well qualified, they will be hired by the university as professors,” he explained.
In her remarks, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, commended Saudi Arabia’s sustained collaboration with Nigeria in education and human capital development, describing it as a model for bilateral partnership.
“Such partnerships enrich our human capital and strengthen bilateral ties for mutual good,” Ahmad said. “As we celebrate this gathering, I urge the alumni to continue to serve as ambassadors of knowledge, peace, and development.”
She added that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to support initiatives that leverage alumni networks to drive innovation, capacity building, and national progress.
The forum concluded with renewed commitments to enhance academic exchanges, scholarships, and research collaborations between Saudi and Nigerian institutions, underscoring education as a key pillar of the growing diplomatic relationship between the two nations.