Schools are foundational for a successful and better life- crèche, nursery, primary, secondary schools, and universities. To continue schooling, many secondary school and graduate students want to attend university to obtain a first degree. We all aim to be either academics or have a promising career.
However, there are certain factors to consider in choosing a university in Nigeria. These factors must be considered before you decide which university is best for you. Below are some factors to consider in choosing a university in Nigeria.
Table of Contents
Top 12 Factors to Consider in Choosing a University in Nigeria
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The course of study
This is one of the most important factors to consider in choosing a university in Nigeria. This is because not all universities have every course. Some Nigerian universities might not offer your course of choice simultaneously; some have the course but do not have enough expertise and facilities for training you adequately. Your course choice will help you streamline universities in Nigeria.
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Accreditation
The National Universities Commission (NUC) is Nigeria’s government body responsible for quality higher education. For this reason, NUC is the body in charge of university accreditation in Nigeria. When considering which university in Nigeria you should go to, you must verify if the university you are aspiring to go to is accredited.
Accreditation is an approval that gives universities in Nigeria a go-ahead to continue their teaching or a particular course. If the university you so desire to attend is not accredited or your course of study is not accredited in that school, you do not have any need to waste your time; choose another university.
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Admission requirements and process
Each has different admission requirements and procedures. Be sure you meet all requirements and have all documents ready. Some use jamb and O’ Level results, some use post jamb and post UTME scores, and some use only post UTME; whichever one your desired school uses, be sure to prepare and meet the required scores.
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Catchment Area
This refers to geographical areas served by a university. It is safe to say the geographical location in which the university is located. This does not mean you cannot gain admission into the school because you are not from there. Rather, indigenes from the location or surrounding states have a better advantage than you.
In most cases, the catchment areas also have lower cut-off marks. For example, if you want to study at Obafemi Awolowo University (which is located in Ife, Osun State), the catchment areas are Osun, Ekiti, Lagos, Oyo, and Ondo. UNIBEN, for instance, has Edo, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, cross river, delta, and rivers as catchment areas.
When it comes to universities, candidates from catchment areas are considered more than candidates from outside the catchment areas.
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Strike History
This is also one of the significant factors to consider in choosing a university. If you plan to attend a federal or state university, you must consider this factor. Do not be in a rush- confirm before you apply.
You want to go for higher education because you want to excel. What is excellence if you do not graduate when you are supposed to? Imagine you aspire to be a lawyer, and you spend eight years in university? What good is that? Some universities are known for their consistent strike, the ball is in your court, but you do not need to stay in school longer than expected.
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Campus life
What experiences is the school known for? Talk to current or recent graduates of the school to understand the experience beforehand. Are religious activities compulsory, must you participate in sports, etc.?
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School calendar
This is how the school runs and the dates. You should know if your desired school is behind every other school or if the school is running fine.
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Size of the school
The bigger a school is, the more resources it has and the more competition.
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Learning Facilities
If you choose a university without adequate facilities, you might get tired of school quickly. You learn easier and faster when there are enough educational and training facilities and equipment.
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Location
Your school environment is essential. Is the university in an urban or rural setting, or is it secured or prone to banditry and terrorism? Consider choosing a university in a location convenient and basic needs won’t be a problem.
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Accommodation
Is the university offering a hostel throughout your stay, or is there no option of a school hostel at all, or do you get to stay on campus only for your freshman year? If your school offers accommodation, are you allowed to come with your cooking utensils, or do you have to buy food throughout your stay?
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Fees
Another factor to consider when choosing a university is your financial strength. What is your financial capacity? Can you handle the school fees, accommodation fees, and feeding? Considering a private school, you should be ready for high-end fees, while state and federal universities are affordable. The cheapest, though, are Nigerian Federal Universities.
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8 Cheapest Federal Universities in Nigeria
Upon checking the factors to consider in choosing a University, if you are looking forward to affordable higher education, you should consider federal universities in Nigeria and work hard to obtain admission. In no particular order, a few of the most affordable federal universities in Nigeria are:
- University of Calabar,
- The University of Abuja,
- Usman Danfodio University,
- Obafemi Awolowo University,
- The University of Lagos,
- The University of Uyo,
- The University of Ilorin,
- The University of Nigeria, etc.
Conclusion
Deciding which Nigerian university to attend is not a decision that should be made in a hurry or within a short time. You should sit up and check the factors to consider in choosing a university – have research on universities in Nigeria, their accreditation, location, educational quality, facilities, and fees. You do not want to start university and then quit because you chose the wrong school. Put all the above factors to consider in choosing a university in Nigeria at work and get it right.
You might also like:
5 University Courses that are Overrated in Nigeria
Top 10 University Courses to Study in Nigeria
How to Make Friends in the University as a Fresher
About Author
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I am Oluwatoowo Onifade
A graduate of English Language from Obafemi Awolowo University.
I am a content writer, fashion designer and a baker.
Belief- learning never ends. You can learn from anywhere, anytime and from anyone.
My hobbies are arithmetics and reading.
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