Who's Number One?

What is the number one 'Model Minority'?

Asians, you think?

No, it turns out to be Nigerians.

According to a Houston Chronicle analysis of census data, Nigerians are ahead of every other ethnic or racial group in the country in level of education. Four percent have doctorates, compared with three percent of Asians and one percent of Whites. Seventeen percent of Nigerians have a Master's, compared with 12 percent of Asians and eight percent of Whites.

Of course, it depends on how you define the groups. Nigerians are a nationality, not a race. The Chronicle didn't look at nationalities within the Asian community, or at subgroups within the White category.

Even so, I was surprised. Weren't you?

The Chronicle says the high level of education among Nigerians in the US is "largely due to Nigerian society's emphasis on mandatory and free education" but Wikipedia, citing United Nations data, lists Nigeria 138th out of 177 countries in adult literacy (69 percent), below many other African countries.

The Chronicle also says a 1965 immigration law made it easier for Africans to enter the United States as students or skilled professionals but not through family sponsorships, and once in the US, they could stay here so long as they went to school. But it doesn't explain why Nigerians in particular are so well educated.

Anyone out there have an explanation?

--Alain Jehlen