Looking for a relatively cheap and exciting location to study abroad? Nigeria is one of the most affordable and friendly countries you can choose to study in as an international student. It might surprise you that anyone would want to study in Nigeria from another country. True as this might seem, some Nigerian universities offer admission to international students. To Nigerians, Nigeria might not be a big deal but from history, Nigeria is referred to as the Giant of Africa, this is to show how big a deal Nigeria is. For students that are hoping to explore and learn more about different cultures and are interested in meeting great minds in Africa, Nigeria is a go-to country because of how its dynamicity.
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Nigeria and its Educational System
As of 2021, the number of accredited higher institutions of learning in Nigeria was about 375 with universities totally at 170, 152 Polytechnics and 43 Colleges of Education. Most of the Universities in Nigeria have a wide range of disciplines from Science to Engineering and Technology to Humanities and Law and they are well equipped for these disciplines. To stimulate international opportunities, Nigeria is open to welcoming international students at all levels; undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate. Due to the different tribes, and varieties of ethnic groups in Nigeria, there are about five hundred (500) languages spoken but the official language is English.
Housing in Nigeria is relatively affordable, depending on the things you are looking out for. You have several options to pick from, you can decide to stay in the hostels provided by your school of choice, rent an apartment outside the school and if you are lucky to find a family to stay with, you can seize that opportunity to learn new things about the cultures in Nigeria.
Concerning visas, as the country does not offer specific student visas, you will have to apply for a Subject to Regularisation (STR) Visa before you then change it into Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Cards for Nigeria on that same spot. This does not apply to you if you are from a country member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Academic Requirements for International Students to Study in Nigeria
Nigeria operates a 6-6-4 academic system. This implies that students must have six (6) years of primary or elementary education, another six (6) years of secondary education and a minimum of four years of tertiary education. Hence, to apply to study at a Nigerian University, you must be able to prove that you have completed six (6) years of secondary education. Normally, this can be proved by providing a testimonial or certificate of completion from your secondary school.
In addition, you might need to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) which is usually conducted by the Joint Admissions & Matriculations Board (JAMB). The Joints Admissions & Matriculations Board (JAMB) is the body saddled with the responsibility of admitting and ensuring checks and balances for full-time studies in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The only exemption to sitting for the UTME is the direct entry mode, part-time programmes and distance learning. To get into full-time studies using direct entry mode, you must be in possession of an Advanced-Level (A’level) Diploma such as Cambridge A-Level. Other locally accepted A’level diplomas are the Interim Joint Matriculation Board’s Diploma and Joint University Preliminary Examination Board Diploma.
You can opt-out of sitting for UTME by sitting for the Cambridge A’level examination. Afterwards, you need to buy the Direct Entry form. Other means of bypassing the UTME include obtaining a part-time form or a distance learning form. You would need to apply for JAMB regularization in most cases if you apply via a part-time or distance learning mode.
Nigerian Universities that Offer Admission to International Students
We have compiled a list of Universities that offer admission to International Students. Below are short details on some of the schools that accept international students in no particular order:
1. University of Ibadan (UI)
This university offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in English for about $5000 per annum. The least age for any Bachelor’s program is seventeen (17) while for Master’s is twenty-one (21).
2. University of Lagos (UNILAG)
This university offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in English. The fees allocated depend on your programme and you can check with the university’s designated specialists. The least age for any Bachelor’s program is seventeen (17) while for Master’s is twenty-one (21).
3. University of Benin (UNIBEN)
This university offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in French for about $4000per per annum. The least age for any Bachelor’s program is eighteen (18) while for Master’s is twenty-one (21).
4. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
This university offers both Bachelor’s degrees and Diplomas in Higher Education programmes in English. The fees allocated depend on your programme and you can check with the university’s designated specialists. The least age for both programmes is seventeen (17).
5. University of Nigeria (UNN)
This university offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in English for about $2500 per annum. The least age for any Bachelor’s programme is seventeen (17) while for Masters is twenty-one (21).
6. University of Abuja (UNIABUJA)
This university offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in English. The fees allocated depend on your programme and you can check with the university’s designated specialists. The least age for any Bachelor’s programme is seventeen (17) while for Masters is twenty (20).
7. University of Jos (UNIJOS)
This university offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in English. The fees allocated depend on your programme and you can check with the university’s designated specialists. The least age for any Bachelor’s program is seventeen (17) while for Master’s is twenty (20).
8. National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)
This university offers both Short university programmes and a Diploma in Higher Education in English. The fees allocated depend on your programme and you can check with the university’s designated specialists. The least age for both programmes is seventeen (17).
9. Bayero University, Kano (BUK)
This university offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in English. Any Master’s Degree Programme has tuition of about $576 while the fees allocated to their Bachelor’s degree programmes depend on your programme and you can check with the university’s designated specialists. The least age for any Bachelor’s program is eighteen (18) while for Master’s is twenty-one (21).
10. Gombe State University
This university offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in English for about $1000 per annum. The least age for any Bachelor’s programme is seventeen (17) while for Masters is twenty (20).
11. Covenant University (CU)
This university offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in English. Any Bachelor’s Degree programme has a tuition of about $6053 while any Master’s Degree Programme has tuition of about $2941 annually. The least age for any Bachelor’s program is eighteen (18) while for Master’s is twenty-two (22).
12. Kaduna Polytechnic Institute
This university offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in English. The fees allocated depend on your programme and you can check with the university’s designated specialists. The least age for any Bachelor’s programme is seventeen (17) while for Masters is twenty (20).
Conclusion: Choosing a School & Applying for Admission
These are only some universities in Nigeria accepting international students. All these universities are scattered all over the six (6) geopolitical regions of the country. Depending on which region you would like to explore and know more about, you can choose from any of them
You might also want to conduct a security and feasibility check on the state in which your school of choice is located before making a final choice. Nigeria is a great place to explore because of its diversity.
On sending your applications and making enquiries, you can reach out to the school admissions office through their website or social media channels. You can also drop a comment if you feel it is something we can help you with.
