Study Economics in Nigeria: Requirements, Universities & Job Opportunities

Do you want to study economics in Nigeria? If yes, then you need to read this article.

It’s a definitive guide you won’t find elsewhere.

Whether you want to gain admission via UTME or direct entry, it doesn’t matter.

You are going to see the requirements needed before you can be offered admission by any institution.

In all fields of academics, it is a common practice to begin a study with a concise description or definition of the subject matter.

Suffice it to say that it has not been particularly easy to give a strict and completely satisfactory definition of economics.

What is Economics?

Economists often do not agree about the scope of the subject because its concepts and thought processes have a wide range of applications in so many aspects of life.

Economics is a social science concerned with the way society choose to employ scarce productive resources in order to achieve certain conditions of living.

The definition touches upon several important concepts – choice, scarcity, resources, production, distribution, consumption and foreign trade – which are central to all discussions in economics.

Is Economics a Science?

A science is a body of knowledge acquired in a systematic way and which can be verified through observation and experiment.

It is an aggregate of theories in which cause and effect relationships are established under specified circumstances.

Economics, in this sense, is a science.

Although the conditions which make chemistry and physics valid can be produced through controlled laboratory experiment because the object of study is inanimate matter, this is not possible in economics.

In economics, the object of study is man, who has free will and whose pattern of behavior is not stable and cannot be absolutely controlled or predicted.

Against the backdrop of this limitation, economics is now referred to as a social science.

This is because the object of study is man and not inanimate matters.

Why Study Economics?

As a study, economics creates consciousness and establishes principles which help guide our choice when we as individuals, businesses or society must decide what to do with the limited resources at our disposal.

It enables us to recognize the need for efficient employment of resources among competing ends.

To an individual, an understanding of basic economic issues and principles, is essential to be a well-informed citizen.

Furthermore, the knowledge of economics is required to be a responsible citizen.

With the knowledge of economics, the business executives are able to interpret new and existing government policies-fiscal, monetary, exchange rate control, etc, and take effective decisions toward realizing their business goals.

The knowledge of economics enables government policy-makers to regulate and control overpopulation, general prices, general volume of trade, and general output, thereby assisting the nation and people to escape from poverty.

A trained economist will be able to indicate advantages and the disadvantages of any economic action taken by individuals, firms and the government.

Those who are motivated primarily by the desire to know how the subject is relevant to their lives, their futures, and the problems confronting the society will find it easier and more interesting than those who considered it as a mere prerequisite for obtaining a ‘meal ticket’.

Universities That Offer Economics in Nigeria

These are the best universities/polytechnics to study economics in Nigeria as at 2020.

1. Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State (FULOKOJA)
2. Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State (FUKASHERE)
3. Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State (FUWUKARI)
4. Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State (FUD)
5. Federal University, Ndifu-Alike, Ebonyi State (FUNAI)
6. Umar Musa Yar’ Adua University Katsina (UMYU)
7. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma
8. Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba
9. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
10. Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti – Ekiti State
11. University of Abuja, Gwagwalada
12. Achievers University, Owo
13. Adamawa State University Mubi (ADSU)
14. Ajayi Crowther University, Ibadan (ACU)
15. Akwa Ibom State University of Technology, Uyo
16. Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin
17. Al-Qalam University, Katsina
18. Anchor University Ayobo Lagos State
19.  Arthur Javis University Akpoyubo Cross river State
20. Adeleke University Ede (AUE)
21. Augustine University
22. American University of Nigeria, Yola (AUN)
23. Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo
24. Bauchi State University, Gadau
25. Bayero University, Kano
26. Baze University
27. Bells University of Technology, Otta
28. ECWA Bingham University, New Karu
29. Benson Idahosa University, Benin City
30. Bowen University, Iwo
31. Benue State University, Makurdi
32. University of Calabar (UNICAL)
33. Caleb University, Lagos
34. Caritas University, Enugu
35. Chrisland University
36. Christopher University Mowe
37. Clifford University Owerrinta Abia State
38. Coal City University Enugu State
39. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli
40. Covenant University Ota
41. Crawford University Igbesa
42. Crown Hill University Eiyenkorin, Kwara State
43. Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU)
44. Dominican University Ibadan Oyo State
45. Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki
46. Edo University Iyamo
47. Edwin Clark University, Kaigbodo
48. Ekiti State University
49. Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin
50. Eastern Palm University Ogboko Imo State
51. Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu (ESUT)
52. Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina
53. Federal University, Gusau Zamfara (FUGUS)
54. Federal University, Birnin Kebbi (FUBK)
55. Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State (FULAFIA)
56. Fountain University, Oshogbo
57. Godfrey Okoye University, Ugwuomu-Nike
58. Gregory University, Uturu
59. Gombe State University, Gombe
60. Hallmark University, Ijebi Itele, Ogun
61. University of Ibadan (UI)
62. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
63. Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji
64. University of Jos (UNIJOS)
65. Kaduna State University, Kaduna (KASU)
66. Kola Daisi University Ibadan, Oyo State
67. Kogi State University Anyigba
68. Kwara State University, Ilorin (KWASU)
69. University of Lagos (UNILAG)
70. Landmark University, Omu-Aran
71. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBU)
72. Lagos State University, Ojo (LASU)
73. Lead City University, Ibadan
74. Legacy University, Okija Anambra State
75. Madonna University, Okija
76. University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)
77. Micheal & Cecilia Ibru University
78. Mcpherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ajebo
79. University of Mkar, Mkar
80. Mountain Top University
81. Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK)
82. Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna (NDA)
83. Niger Delta University Yenagoa (NDU)
84. Northwest University Kano (NWU)
85. Novena University, Ogume
86. Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja
87. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU)
88. Obong University, Obong Ntak
89. Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu – Osun State
90. Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye
91. Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos
92. Paul University, Awka – Anambra State
93. University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT)
94. Nigeria Police Academy Wudil
95. Redeemer’s University, Mowe
96. Renaissance University, Enugu
97. Rhema University, Obeama-Asa – Rivers State
98. Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene Akwa Ibom
99. Salem University, Lokoja
100. Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa
101. Sokoto State University,
102. Southwestern University
103. Oku Owa, Summit University
104. Tansian University, Umunya
105. Tai Solarin University of Education Ijebu Ode (TASUED)
106. Taraba State University, Jalingo (TSUJ)
107. Usumanu Danfodiyo University (UDUSOK)
108. Umar Musa Yar’ Adua University Katsina (UMYU)
109. Hezekiah University, Umudi
110. Kings University, Ode Omu (UNIKINGS)
111. Osun State University Osogbo (UNIOSUN)
112. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK)
113. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
114. University of Uyo
115. Veritas University, Abuja
116. Wellspring University, Evbuobanosa – Edo State
117. Western Delta University, Oghara Delta State
118. Wesley University of Science & Technology, Ondo
119. Yobe State University, Damaturu

Direct Entry Requirements For Economics

Two ‘A’ level passes in Economics and any one of Mathematics, Statistics, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Accounting, Business Management, History and Government.

Economics O’ Level Requirements

Five SSCE credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Economics and any two of Arts or Social Science subjects.

Jamb Subject Combination For Economics

Economics, Mathematics and any of Government, History, Geography, Lit-in-English, French and CRK/IRK.

Special Consideration For Admission To Study Economics

(i) AUN does not offer admissions direct to 200 level programs.
(ii) AUN accepts:
(a) ‘A’ level passes chosen from: English Language, Mathematics, Economics, Geography, Government, History, Literature in English, Further Mathematics, Technical Drawing, Visual Arts, Computer Studies, Information Technology, Civics, Environmental Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and French.
(b) ND/HND
(c) ICGSE and ‘A’ level Cambridge
(iii) AUN does not accept credit passes in the following; Agriculture, Food and Nutrition, Home Economics, Home Craft, Home management, Physical Education, Physical and Health Education, Music, Commerce, Accounting, Financial Accounting, Book keeping, Islamic History, Religious Studies, Tajweed, Library Studies, Diction, Kiswahili, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Arabic, Turkish, Study skills and may transfer credits relevant to it’s major at the discretion of the Dean of school.
(iv) ABSU requires five SSCE credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Economics and any two subjects
(v) MCPHERSON and PLSU – Same as in Accountancy.

Job Opportunities For Economics Graduate in Nigeria

Career opportunities for those people who are trained in economics abound in:
1. Government – State and Federal ministries and parastatals as top administrators involved in policy analysis.

2. Business – for general purpose jobs.

3. Academics – as college & university tutors to impart economic knowledge; etc.

How Many Years Does Economics Take in Nigeria

The degree is only for four years if you gained admission through UTME or jamb.

However, if you gained your admission via jamb direct entry, then it will be three years for you.

You are going to do 100, 200, 300 & 400 level.

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