Study and find schools in Nigeria

Studying in Nigeria

Nigeria, in West Africa, has a very large university system. According to the National Universities Commission (NUC), the country has 328 universities: 77 federal, 69 state and 182 private. English is central to university admission: at Obafemi Awolowo University, for example, English is a required subject in the entrance examination for programmes such as Medicine, Pharmacy and Engineering.

Admission is organised through a national process. International students can enrol, but they need to plan for a student visa and a residence card, and to check carefully that their programme is accredited.

The education system in Nigeria

Higher education in Nigeria includes universities as well as polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education, colleges of nursing, colleges of agriculture and innovation enterprise institutions, according to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Universities fall into three groups by owner:

• Federal universities, owned by the federal government
• State universities, owned by state governments
• Private universities

The NUC is the federal agency responsible for universities. It was set up in 1962 as an advisory agency in the Cabinet Office and became a statutory body in 1974; it is now a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Education. Among its functions, the NUC lays down Minimum Academic Standards and accredits degrees and other academic awards, and it publishes undergraduate, postgraduate and institutional accreditation results. It also lists approved transnational education institutions, distance learning centres and part-time programmes. Before applying, check that both the university and the specific programme appear on the NUC's lists.

Universities award bachelor's degrees (such as the B.Sc.), followed by postgraduate degrees: master's degrees and doctorates. At Obafemi Awolowo University, for example, admission is either into Part I (the first year) or by direct entry into a later year for applicants with suitable prior qualifications.

Admission and recognition

Admission to the first year of a degree goes through JAMB, the national admissions board established by Act No. 2 of 1978. Candidates take the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in subjects set for each programme. For 2026, JAMB's policy meeting approved a minimum admission score of 150 for universities and 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education, and the minimum age for admission to tertiary institutions is 16. JAMB also provides registration templates for foreign candidates.

Each university then sets its own programme requirements. At Obafemi Awolowo University, Medicine requires UTME subjects in English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, plus O-level passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Direct entry for Medicine is possible with a B.Sc. with at least a 2:1 in a related science, or with three A-level passes in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. International applicants should ask the university how it treats their school-leaving certificate and whether they need to register through JAMB.

Recognition of a Nigerian degree abroad depends on the rules of the destination country. Graduating from an NUC-accredited programme is the basis for that recognition.

Student visa and residence

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) issues a Student Visa, a temporary residence visa for full-time study at approved Nigerian institutions. According to the NIS (information checked October 2026):

• Applicants need an official admission letter, proof of financial support, valid medical insurance where applicable and evidence of accommodation
• The visa is usually valid for the duration of the programme, for example one year at a time, renewable
• Renewal depends on continued enrolment and satisfactory academic progress
• Paid work is not allowed unless specifically authorised as an internship or a recognised work-study arrangement

Short visits do not need a full student visa: the NIS offers a Study Tour Visa of usually up to 30 days and an Academic Exchange Programme Visa of up to 90 days for exchanges under formal agreements. Students who stay one year or more also need the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), applied for online through the NIS portal. The NIS lists the CERPAC fee for students as USD 600.

Costs

Tuition fees are set by each university. Official sources do not publish a national fee scale for international students, so ask the university's admissions office for current figures. Budget also for the CERPAC (USD 600 for students), visa fees and medical insurance. No official source gives a figure for student living costs.

Where to study

SpainExchange currently lists two schools in Nigeria. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, is one of three universities established in Nigeria between 1961 and 1962; a 1975 decree brought it under the federal government. It started with five faculties (Agriculture, Arts, Economics and Social Studies, Law and Science) and later added Education, Pharmacy, Technology, Health Sciences, Administration and Environmental Design and Management. According to the university, its student population has grown from 244 in 1962/63 to more than 30,000 today. The second listing is Capital Science Academy, an international secondary school in Abuja, the federal capital.

Practical life

Arrange accommodation before applying for the visa, since evidence of accommodation is part of the student visa application. After arrival, the CERPAC process includes an online application with proof of student status, online payment and biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) taken at an NIS office. The CERPAC lets foreigners live in Nigeria for an extended period, usually one year and above, subject to renewal, so keep your enrolment documents up to date.

Frequently asked questions

How many universities are there in Nigeria?

According to the NUC, there are 328 universities: 77 federal, 69 state and 182 private.

Do international students need a visa to study in Nigeria?

Yes. Full-time students need a Student Visa from the Nigeria Immigration Service, with an admission letter, proof of financial support and evidence of accommodation. Students staying a year or more also need a CERPAC residence card.

Can international students work in Nigeria?

Generally not. The Student Visa does not allow paid employment unless it is specifically authorised as an internship or a recognised work-study arrangement.

What is the minimum JAMB score for university admission?

For 2026, JAMB set a minimum admission score of 150 for universities. Individual universities and programmes may require more.