US Consulate To Host Pre-Departure Orientation For Nigerian Students Heading To America

The United States Consulate General in Lagos has announced a pre-departure orientation programme for Nigerian students who have secured valid US student visas, offering guidance on academic life and everyday living in the United States.

The session is slated for Thursday, December 18, and will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the US Consulate General, located at 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The US Mission in Nigeria disclosed the details in a post shared on its official X page on Monday, noting that the programme is open to all Nigerian holders of US student visas. Interested participants are required to register through an online form provided on the Mission’s X handle.

According to the organisers, the orientation is designed to equip students with practical knowledge ahead of their departure. EducationUSA alumni currently studying at different US institutions will lead discussions, sharing firsthand insights into navigating academic and social life abroad.

Participants will be guided on managing culture shock, building relationships with lecturers, securing on-campus jobs, applying for CPT and OPT, and accessing internships and additional scholarships. The programme will also cover tips on academic excellence, including making the Dean’s List and joining honours programmes.

Beyond academics, the session will address real-life challenges such as mental health, financial management, time management, racism, sexual harassment, and staying physically healthy. Travel advice, packing essentials, and information on student visa renewal will also be discussed.

The initiative comes against the backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, amid reports that more than 85,000 visas have been revoked since January, including over 8,000 student visas worldwide, largely due to security and criminal concerns.