Nigerian University Graduates: Counting The Numbers

Nigeria has around 150-170 universities, including public and private institutions, with a total capacity of 600,000 students. In the 2018/2019 academic year, there were 1.8 million undergraduate students and 242,000 postgraduate students enrolled in Nigerian universities. This means that only around one in four applicants to Nigerian universities is accepted each year.

Undergraduate and postgraduate students

The majority of undergraduate students attend federal universities, with 1.2 million students enrolled in these institutions in 2019. Private universities, in contrast, enrolled around 103,000 students in the same year. Federal universities are usually the largest, and they typically have the highest number of enrolments overall. Male students are predominant in federal and state institutions, while private universities tend to have a slightly higher proportion of female students.

In terms of fields of study, the sciences and social sciences are the most popular choices among undergraduate students. However, there are notable differences in enrolment between men and women. For example, in engineering, technology, and computing faculties, male students form the vast majority.

Among postgraduate students, around 120,000 were pursuing Master's degrees in 2019, excluding those studying for diplomas or PhDs. The most common fields of study at this level include administration, management, education, sciences, and social sciences.

Staff and female presence

In the 2018/2019 academic year, Nigerian universities had around 73,400 academic staff, including professors, readers, and lecturers. Male staff were the majority in all disciplines. The sciences faculty, which had the largest number of academic staff, counted 10,800 male personnel and 3,200 female employees. Genetics and biotechnology recorded the lowest number of women working as academic staff, with 125 female employees. Overall, women represented only 24% of academic staff and 36% of non-academic staff in Nigerian universities during the 2018/2019 academic year.

Despite recent increases in the number of female professors in Nigerian universities, women remain underrepresented in higher academic positions. This underrepresentation has implications for gender equality, diversity, and inclusive decision-making within the academic community. Cultural and societal norms, gender roles, and stereotypes within Nigerian society contribute to limited access to education and career opportunities for women. Societal expectations regarding family responsibilities also create pressure for women to prioritise family over their careers.

To address these issues, Nigerian universities have implemented policies to encourage gender diversity in academic positions. These include affirmative action, the establishment of women-focused scholarship programs, and the implementation of gender mainstreaming initiatives. Mentorship programs and support networks have also been introduced to empower female academics and provide them with the necessary skills and guidance.

University admission rates

The University of Nigeria, for example, has an acceptance rate of 38%, based on the ratio of admissions to applications. However, different programs will have varying admissions rates.

Nigeria's largest university, the National Open University of Nigeria, had over half a million students as of 2019. In the 2018/2019 academic year, Nigerian universities counted 1.8 million undergraduate students and 242,000 postgraduate students. The majority of undergraduate students attended federal universities, with 1.2 million students enrolled, while private universities had around 103,000 students.

University subjects

In the 2018/2019 academic year, Nigerian universities had around 1.8 million undergraduate students and 242,000 postgraduate students. The largest university in the country in terms of student numbers is the National Open University of Nigeria, which had over half a million students as of 2019.

Nigerian universities offer a wide range of courses and programmes across various disciplines. Here are some of the common subjects and areas of study:

• Agricultural Sciences: This field covers subjects such as Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension, Food Science and Technology, Forestry, and Agricultural Engineering.
• Engineering: Nigerian universities offer various engineering programmes, including Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Petroleum, and Computer Engineering, among others.
• Medicine and Health Sciences: University programmes in this area include Medicine, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Radiography, and various specialisations in Medicine.
• Social Sciences: Social Science subjects include Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Public Administration, International Relations, Law, and Political Science.
• Arts and Humanities: Nigerian universities offer programmes in Fine Arts, Linguistics, African and European Languages, Religious Studies, Philosophy, Literature, and History.
• Education: Education degrees cover a range of specialisations, such as Early Childhood Education, Curriculum Studies, Educational Administration, and various combinations of Education with other subjects like Mathematics, English, Biology, Chemistry, and Computer Science.
• Pure and Natural Sciences: Universities offer programmes in Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Botany, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Microbiology, to name a few.
• Business and Management: Business-related subjects include Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, and Insurance.

University costs

The cost of attending university in Nigeria varies depending on the type of university, the program, the year of study, and the student's residency status. Federal universities are government-funded and thus offer more affordable tuition fees, whereas private universities are more expensive but may offer a better quality of education.

Federal Universities

Federal universities in Nigeria are government-owned and offer a range of academic programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. There are over 40 federal universities spread across the country, and they are critical to providing accessible and quality education to Nigerian students. The tuition fees at federal universities are generally below N100,000, making them a more economical option for many students. For instance, the University of Ilorin, the largest federal university by land mass, charges between ₦22,000 and ₦25,000. The University of Ibadan, on the other hand, has fees ranging from ₦30,000 to ₦35,000.

State Universities

State university fees in Nigeria typically range between N100,000 and N300,000. The Edo State University is noted for having particularly high tuition fees.

Private Universities

Private universities in Nigeria often provide a higher quality of education but come with higher tuition fees. Students can expect to pay above N300,000 and even up to N1,500,000 at some institutions. For example, the American University of Nigeria, Yola, and the African University of Science & Technology are among the most expensive, with fees ranging from N500,000 to N1,500,000.

Additional Costs

Aside from tuition fees, students should also consider other costs associated with university life, such as accommodation, transportation, books, and other living expenses. These costs can vary depending on the location of the university and the student's lifestyle.

Enrollment Statistics

Understanding the costs of university education in Nigeria is essential for prospective students and their families. In the 2018/2019 academic year, Nigerian universities had approximately 1.8 million undergraduate students and 242,000 postgraduate students. The majority of undergraduate students attended federal universities, with 1.2 million enrolled, while private universities hosted around 103,000 students.

Frequently asked questions