Educational Reforms in West Africa: Push and Pull Factors Analysis of Student Mobility in Ghana, Nigeria, and the Ivory Coast

The interconnectivity of global capitals has led to the increasing movements of people across borders for political, social, and economic reasons. However, there has been an increased interest in countries located in the West. This paper focuses on the context of student mobility in West Africa, especially in the countries of the Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Nigeria for a better understanding of students’ attitudes toward pursuing their higher education in Western countries. Drawing from the push and pull theory, the purpose of this study is to explore the drivers of migration intentions among West African students while looking at the student’s responses to the current global reforms. Findings show an increasing number of people migrating toward Western countries for the acquisition of skills, wealth, and educational experiences. The implication of this study illustrates the importance of rethinking the educational system in West African countries for suitable pedagogy and innovative curriculum designs in the region.