A prominent university in the US, Princeton University, has exempted Nigeria from its English language test requirement for applicants after a Nigerian-Canadian academic persistently advocated for it.
In August 2024, Dr. Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi wrote to Princeton requesting an exemption for Nigerian applicants. This was not his first attempt - he had originally contacted the university in August 2022 with the same request, but was declined at the time.
However, Dr. Igbalajobi did not give up. He followed up with Princeton a second time in August 2024, and this time received a positive response.
The university explained that in 2023, it had updated its English language proficiency policy. Under the new guidelines, Nigerian applicants will not be required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if their bachelor's degree was taught in English.
They will need to provide a letter or certificate from their Nigerian university confirming that English was the medium of instruction, or ensure that this information is clearly stated on their transcripts.
Dr. Igbalajobi shared the news on social media, expressing his excitement about the positive change. He noted that his motivation for following up with Princeton stemmed from a list of advocacy points he had maintained for two years.
