Studying is an exciting time in the life of a young person, but it also involves many important decisions. For example, choosing the right university is fraught with dilemmas, but it’s nothing compared to deciding what to study. You need to think long-term and think deeply about how your choice will affect the rest of your career – a terrifying prospect when you first leave the house.
Because of this, it’s important to understand which courses at University and College can be considered solid choices, especially if you’re not sure who to turn to. The degrees on this list are very rewarding and many of them offer flexible entry into different industries.
They are also popular in industries that are just growing and expanding. So if you’re having trouble making up your mind, why not consider one of these ten options? These are the best courses to study in Nigeria.
What Should One Consider Before Registering for a Nigerian Course?
Let’s discuss the vital factors you should take into account while submitting an application for a course at one of Nigeria’s educational institutions.
- Your Interests
If you are not interested in something, nothing in life will be simple for you to do. As a result, you should put your interests first while choosing a degree to pursue in Nigeria. Discover what interests you, then pursue it.
You can select between journalism and mass communication if you wish to report news on television. A similar procedure is used in the other courses.
- The Labor Market of the Country
No matter how hard we try to make it seem otherwise, Nigeria’s labor market is unfavorable. The demand for graduates of only a small number of courses is high.
They include graduates from the fields of medicine, law, education, political science, agriculture, and nursing. Other degree holders are in demand, but only to a lesser extent than those with the degrees listed above.
- Years of Study
You shouldn’t sign up for courses that require many years of schooling if you are the type of person who dislikes spending too much time in school. They include classes in law, pharmacy, medicine, and surgery, among others.
These courses, in contrast to customary 4-year courses, add an extra year or two, making them 5-year or 6-year courses. If you don’t mind spending a lot of time in school, you can enroll in these courses.
- Salary Information
A journalist won’t be paid on par with a doctor in the medical field. There will be a big difference in the payments they receive. A journalist might make one million Naira a month compared to a doctor, who might make two million. Whichever choice is best for you is up to you to choose.
- Tuition Fees
Consideration should be given to this aspect. Most students drop out of school as a result of their inability to pay the tuition for the courses they are enrolled in. Look over the course’s tuition costs before enrolling. If you are unable to pay the program’s tuition, do not apply.
- JAMB Score/Cut-off marks
The school course you enrolled in was heavily influenced by your JAMB score. A candidate with a low JAMB score is unlikely to need a law degree. Chances are that you are wasting your time and money. Instead, you opt to enroll in a less difficult course that doesn’t require a high JAMB score.
For this reason, the admissions process for Nigerian tertiary institutions was given cut-off marks. If the cut-off for your preferred course is not met, you should either reapply right away or wait a year.
What Are the Best Courses to Study in Nigeria?
The finest academic paths to take in Nigeria in terms of marketability are:
1. Medicine and Surgery
Medicine And Surgery is one of the greatest courses to study in Nigeria. It is a very competitive program at a higher institution in Nigeria because graduates from this curriculum are in high demand. A medical degree is known as a Bachelor of Medicine or Bachelor of Surgery (Latin: Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae, MBBS).
The core medical degree offered by medical schools that adhere to the UK tradition is a degree in Medicine and Surgery. MBBS and MBChB are degrees granted to Nigerian medical schools. It is only possible to study medicine and surgery at a university medical school. Students must complete a six-year course in order to graduate.
Medical school graduates are highly sought after in a variety of settings, including hospitals, research institutions, and health ministries.
2. Law
Law is a very popular supplementary course that is offered by several Nigerian colleges. You need at least five years of college experience to be eligible for this program. Institutions that grant degrees in law are called law schools. A good JAMB score is required to enroll in law school in Nigeria because of the fierce competition in the field.
They require lawyers for enterprises that deal with the law, including courts, financial institutions, crime investigation agencies, and others. Lawyers are involved in almost every aspect of the country because the law and constitution must support them.
3. Accounting
Accounting is a highly respected subject in the majority of Nigerian colleges. The term “accounting” is used in several of these universities. Accounting deals with the collection, analysis, and dissemination of financial and non-financial information concerning economic enterprises. An example of an economic entity is a company, corporation, or business.
They referred to professionals and graduates in accounting as accountants or accountancy. The phrase “financial reporting” is frequently used as a synonym for accounting because it is a step in the accounting process to create financial reports. Accounting programs are provided by various universities and polytechnics in Nigeria.
Getting a diploma in accounting at a polytechnic takes two to three years longer than it does at universities, which only require four years of study. Some of the subfields of accounting/accountancy include management accounting, financial accounting, tax accounting, and cost accounting. These branches have several definitions and uses.
Some accounting schools occasionally merged accounting with bookkeeping, which condenses financial data into financial reports.
4. Business Management
Business administration, also referred to as business management, is quickly gaining acceptance in Nigerian polytechnics and colleges. Students who complete this program are in high demand in the job market. The fact that modern business managers and administrators are well-paid is another point to keep in mind.
Business management is focused on the organization and coordination of corporate activity. Administrative and management positions in businesses are straightforward. They support workers in realizing their full potential inside the organization and, as a result, reaching high levels of productivity.
Additionally, employing, educating, and managing new hires fall under the purview of business managers. To keep the business running, this is necessary. They aid companies in reaching both their operational and financial objectives.
5. Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
For a long time, this was one of the highest-paying industries in Nigeria. “Oil Money” is a slang term used by wealthy individuals to describe how advantageous it may be to study Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. Following cocoa, Nigeria’s main export is crude oil, which is a thriving commercial enterprise.
Workers in this sector are well compensated, and their job comprises researching petroleum composition, separation, and the applications of each component of the combination. They are referred to as Chemical and Petroleum Engineers.
If you want to be a Petroleum Engineer, you must study Petroleum Engineering at any university in Nigeria that offers the program. Polytechnics do not provide Petroleum or Chemical Engineering programs, and entrance to these programs requires a high JAMB score. Engineering enthusiasts must also apply.
6. Economics
Many businesses believe they do not require economists, despite the fact that economics should be the most marketable course in the country. The course is predicted to be the most marketable within the next five years when most firms feel a need for them.
Economics is studied at both universities and polytechnics. National Diplomas and Higher National Diplomas in Economics are awarded by Nigerian polytechnics, whilst Bachelor of Economics and Master of Economics degrees are awarded by Nigerian universities.
The study of human behavior in the context of price and scarcity is the focus of this field. Economists work on a wide range of topics. Economists operate as consultants in the private sector. They also work in huge corporations such as banking and finance. Economists can also work for the government in a variety of departments and agencies.
The Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Bureau of Statistics, the National Treasury, and others are among them. If you want to study economics at any university, you must approach it from a scientific, commercial, and aesthetic standpoint.
7. Nursing Science
Nurses are just like medical physicians and surgeons who have high demand in Nigeria’s job market today. They have traditionally been viewed as medical doctors’ assistants, but that perception is changing. Nurses are medical professionals who perform a range of roles in the healthcare industry today.
Nursing was traditionally studied in nursing schools before it was recognized as Nursing Science in universities. The curriculum, like that of other University programs, is only four years long. Graduates will then enroll in nursing schools to complete their studies in less than a year. Just so you know, nurses are more sought after than doctors in the healthcare business.
8. Estate Management
Estate management, often known as house management, is a great course to take. Although some Estate Management professionals work without a degree, it is wiser and safer to obtain one before beginning. Even those who enter the field without a degree make an effort to participate in programs and courses that will help them enhance their knowledge and skills.
Estate management could be a financially rewarding career if you play your part positively. A Bachelor of Estate Management degree is awarded by universities that offer this course. It is concerned with the acquisition, sale, renting, or leasing of real estate/houses. It’s common knowledge that lots and houses increase in value. Prior to working as an estate manager, you are not required to be employed. Most of the time, all you require is a small amount of seed money.
9. Agricultural Science
Agricultural Science should be the most marketable course in Nigeria, but it is undervalued since as the population expands, so does food production, which benefits the agricultural sector. Many people in Nigeria who work in agriculture learn the job through their families, and only a few travel to agricultural schools to learn.
There are more modern and better approaches to agriculture today, therefore it is only natural that you study the subject at a professional university or polytechnic. Some agricultural courses last four years, while others last five years. It is one of the numerous courses accessible in Nigeria, with several different branches, such as;
1. Fisheries
2. Crop Production
3. Animal Production
4. Piggery
5. Forestry and Wildlife
6. Agricultural Economics, etc.
10. Computer Science
Technology is focused on making new advances in the industry that will improve people’s lives over time. As a result of the high need for computer scientists, this is one of the top university degrees in Nigeria.
Firms and industries are vulnerable to cyberattacks and information management if they do not have access to technology and computer knowledge. This is when computer scientists’ knowledge comes in handy.
This article provides information on the top ten courses to study in Nigeria. However, you should recognize that your career success should not be linked to your university degree; your B.A. (Bachelor of Arts), or your B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science) because a degree has no influence on your employment success. You still need to improve your professional life through creative career growth.
However, it should be noted that some Nigerian institutions do not provide any of the above-mentioned courses due to a lack of departmental accreditation. As a result, before you apply, make sure to check the institution’s website to see if they offer the course you want.