Education in Nigeria - Higher School Education

Higher School Education

The government has majority control of university education. The Federal Government of Nigeria has adopted education as an instrument for national development.

First year entry requirements into most universities in Nigeria include: Minimum of SSCE/GCE Ordinary Level Credits at maximum of two sittings; Minimum cut-off marks in Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Entrance Examination (JAMB) of 200 and above out of a maximum of 400 marks are required. Candidates with minimum of Merit Pass in National Certificate of Education (NCE), National Diploma (ND) and other Advanced Level Certificates minimum qualifications with minimum of 5 O/L Credits are given direct entry admission into the appropriate undergraduate degree programs.

Students normally enter university from age 18 onwards, and study for an academic degree. Historically, there is a distinct degree among universities:

First Generation Universities

Five of these Universities were established between 1948 and 1965, following the recommendation of Ashby Commission set up by the British Colonial Government to study the needs for university education for Nigeria. These universities are fully funded by the Federal Government. They were established primarily to meet the manpower needs of Nigeria and set basic standards for university education in the country. These universities have continued to play their roles for manpower developments and provisions of standards, which have helped to guide the subsequent establishments of other generations and states universities in Nigeria. Such universities include the University of Nigeria Nsukka and the University of Ibadan.

Second Generation Universities

With the increasing population of qualified students for university education in Nigeria and the growing needs for scientific and technological developments, setting up more universities became imperative. Between 1970 and 1985, 12 additional universities were established and located in various parts of the country.

Third Generation Universities

The need to establish Universities to address special areas of Technological and Agricultural demand prompted the setting up of 10 additional Universities between 1985 and 1999.

State Universities

Pressures from qualified students from each state who could not readily get admissions to any of the Federal Universities continue to mount on States Governments. It became imperative and urgent for some State Governments to invest in the establishments of Universities.

Private Universities

In recognition of the need to encourage private participation in the provision of university education, the Federal Government established a law 1993, allowing private sectors to establish universities following guidelines prescribed by the Government.

The typical duration of undergraduate programs in Nigerian Universities depends largely on the program of study. For example, Social Sciences /Humanity related courses are 4 Years (two semester sessions per year), Engineering/Technology related courses are 5 Years (two semester sessions per year), Pharmacy courses are 5 Years (two semester sessions per year), Medicine (Vet/ Human) are 6 Years (Have longer sessions), Law courses are 5 Years (two semester sessions per year).