Requirements To Study Civil Engineering In Nigeria, my long-time wish had been to be an engineer for reasons I cannot yet explain. But until now that I had to apply for the course, I had never taken my time to know what it takes to be admitted into a University to study this course. What am I to know? Great! I guess this has, in a way, speak your mind.
If you are bothered by what you ought to know before attempting to study engineering in Nigeria, this article has been written just for you. Herein we shall discuss the requirements to study civil engineering in Nigeria.
It is not limited to Nigeria alone. We must admit that in the universe, some courses are regarded to be more important or, better put, lucrative than others. One such course that is seen to be so lucrative in this part of the world is Civil Engineering. The course is one of the top courses Nigerian students want to attend, making it highly competitive.
As a student seeking admission, by now, you should have understood the consequences of applying to study competitive courses at a university. Courses regarded as competitive are not often available for aspiring students, especially those with low WAEC and JAMB examination scores.
Without further ado in the introduction, let us now look into the topic of discussion.
Who is a Civil Engineering?
A civil engineer has studied civil engineering and has at least a degree in the program.
If that is a civil engineer, then what is civil engineering? This professional branch of engineering deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works like the structural components of buildings, sewage systems, canals, railways, dams, bridges, airports, pipelines, and roads.
With this, you should be able to figure out some other places and kinds of work you can do with a degree in Civil Engineering.
Requirements To Study Civil Engineering in Nigeria
When discussing the requirements to study civil engineering in Nigeria, we must consider three things. They include:
- JAMB requirement
- WAEC requirement
- Subject knowledge requirement
Let us look into these three extensively if you don’t know what they meant.
The JAMB Requirement to study Civil Engineering in Nigeria
The Joint Admission Matriculation Board holds an examination essential for all Nigerian students who want to study in a higher institution without applying through direct entry or JUPEB. Writing JAMB is the easiest way to get into any Nigerian University of one’s choice. Hence more than half of the Nigerian university aspirants sit for the examination yearly.
Other few ways to get to the University without taking this examination include:
Direct Entry
If you want to get into a Nigerian University without writing JAMB, you might want to consider using direct entry. With this, you will have a higher chance of getting admitted to the University of your choice. Nonetheless, many don’t want to go for this option because it is time-consuming.
One would have to attend a College of education and offer a 3-year course related to what he wants to study at the University or undergo a JUPEB program for about a year before applying for the University. The number of years/time one would have to spend aside, people also look at the monetary aspect and efforts.
Unless you could read and come out of any of these programs with good grades, you wouldn’t be guaranteed admission into any public University.
Private Universities
This is an expensive option to go for. Although admission is easily secured into Nigerian Private Universities without JAMB, you must look at the cost. On average, one might have to spend anywhere around N300,000 to N5 million if they want to go to a private university.
Given the difficulties engrafted in other options, we have to consider the requirements of JAMB for students longing to study Civil Engineering in Nigeria.
The top requirement is a proper subject combination during the examination registration. Jambites are required to register for just and not more than four (4) subjects. These subjects must be properly chosen to avoid negative consequences that may follow. Not combining the proper subjects in JAMB may not necessarily hinder one’s admission.
It often results in a change of course by the institution chosen. You will be surprised that someone applied for English and Literature but was offered Theater Arts to study.
For aspiring Civil Engineers in Nigeria, you should combine the following courses:
- English (Note that this is a compulsory subject)
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Physics
Those are the best subjects you are expected to combine during your JAMB registration if you want to study Civil Engineering – as obtained from accredited sources.
Cut Off Mark
The JAMB’s cut-off mark for Civil Engineering is 150. But we suggest that candidates who want to study Civil Engineering in Nigeria make further inquiries on the cut-off mark of their institution of choice.
JAMB Cut-Off mark is the minimum mark required of a Jambites to be qualified for admission by the board. NOTE that if the institution chosen doesn’t offer one admission, JAMB can. So it is advisable to get beyond JAMB’s cut-off mark.
Nonetheless, this doesn’t often happen, especially when the chosen course is competitive or the school is a highly reputed institution.
WAEC Requirement to study Civil Engineering in Nigeria
If we were to generalize, this would have been better as “O’Level requirements.” When we talk about this, we talk about NECO, WAEC, or GCE. These examinations show that you have completed your secondary school education.
You are supposed to write not less than five subjects in WAEC but to avoid a story that touches, most schools mandate it while others may suggest to their students to write a minimum of nine. The main reason for this is that one can use the courses he or make instead of the ones they failed, if any.
This can be very helpful, especially when the subject passed is related to the one that failed, although it doesn’t always happen that way.
Of the nine (or any number of courses you sat for), only five are needed for your admission to study Civil Engineering or any other courses.
The subjects include:
- Mathematics (compulsory for everyone)
- English Language (Compulsory for everyone)
- Civic
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Further Mathematics/Economics
- Geography
- Biology
- A trade subject (optional)
Reasons why you should have your O’Level result?
You would not be admitted to any Nigerian University without a good O’Level result. You can get this result from NECO, WAEC, or GCE. To have a better chance of getting admitted into the University, make sure you have at least credits in all the five courses essential to you as a Civil Engineering candidate. What are the five courses?
- Maths
- English
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Civic/Geography (You can ask your subject teacher for certainty).
Of the three examinations you could sit for to obtain your O’Level result, you should be aware that WAEC is the best because it doesn’t restrict you to admission within Nigeria. Ensure that you have your O’Level results for the following reasons:
- You might be offered admission without JAMB, but that is not the case with your O’Level result. The worst that can happen if any institution offering Civil Engineering needs students is that you would be asked to apply with an awaiting result.
- WAEC has remained relevant for years. It would help if you wrote the WAEC examination immediately after your secondary school because it remains relevant for as long as you might want to keep it to yourself.
- It shows you have completed your secondary school education.
Given the reasons above, you don’t want to play with the WAEC examination.
Note: When applying to a top Nigerian university, you should target ‘A’ in at least two WAEC subjects; Maths and Physics.
Subject Knowledge Requirement
This requirement is solely on your part as an individual. It involves personal development. Before studying Civil Engineering at a Nigerian University, you must understand that it is a very demanding course and, as a result, requires you to be competent.
With thorough research, we gathered that candidates aspiring to study Civil Engineering should be very good at Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. This does not imply that they do not need other subjects like the English Language. It is to say that at least, Civil Engineers are required to be exceptional when it comes to the previously mentioned courses.
We, at this moment, suggest to students looking into this they should have in mind that one of the requirements of civil engineering as a course in Nigeria and other parts of the world is to have a good knowledge of Maths, Physics, and Chemistry. This is so because Civil Engineering is somewhat of an arduous task requiring much calculation.
Candidates can meet this requirement by going to the nearest bookshop to get books meant for Civil Engineers, regardless of their level of education. Do not think this is not meant for you because you are still in secondary school. Remember, the earlier, the better. Get started with the materials that offer you knowledge of your course to be the best version of your brand in the field.
You should not miss out on seminars designed for Civil Engineers if you have what it takes to be a member. Make friends with people of like minds to help grow you and put you through what you ought to know.
Jobs Available for Civil Engineers
After your years of studies at the University studying Civil Engineering, one thing you want to know is where you would end up working and what kind of what you would end up doing. This seems to be one of the first things people consider before settling on a course. Below is the list of some works one could do as a civil engineer.
- Water engineer
- Building services engineer
- Geotechnical engineer
- Patent attorney
- Nuclear engineer
- Site engineer
- Building control surveyor
- CAD technician
- Estimator
- Structural engineer
- Transport Planner
- Quantity surveyor
- Sustainability consultant
- Urban designer
- Construction engineer
- Engineering geologist
- Fire risk assessor
- Environmental Engineer
- Consulting civil engineer
- Contracting civil engineer
- Design engineer
There are some other works Civil Engineers do. For a better understanding, read through the next subheading.
Where Can One Study Civil Engineering in Nigeria?
In a recent analysis, about 50 Nigerian universities offer civil engineering. Some of them are:
- Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti
- Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State
- Enugu State University Of Science And Technology, Enugu
- Federal University Of Agriculture, Abeokuta
- Ambrose Alli University, Ekpom
- Federal University Of Agriculture, Makurdi
- Federal University Of Technology Minna
- Anambra State University, Uli
- Bayero University, Kano
- Baze University, Fct, Abuja
- University Of Uyo
- Federal University Of Technology, Akure
- Federal University Of Technology, Owerri
- Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State
- Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State
- Igbinedion University, Okada, Benin City
- Imo State University, Owerri
- Modibo Adama University Of Technology, Yola
- Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island
- Nigeria Turkish Nile University, Abuja
- Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye
- Covenant University, Canaan Land, Ota
- Cross Rivers University Of Technology, Calabar
- University Of Benin, Benin City
- University Of Ibadan, Ibadan
- Kano University Of Science And Technology, Wudil
- Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Kaduna State
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
- Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
- Kebbi State University Of Science And Technology, Aliro
- Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin
- Madonna University, Okija
- Michael Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike
- University Of Ilorin, Ilorin
- Osun State University, Osogbo
- University Of Jos, Jos
- University Of Lagos
- Rivers State University Of Science And Technology, Port Harcourt
- University Of Abuja, Abuja
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi
- Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State
- Afe Babalola University , Ado-Ekiti
- Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
- University Of Maiduguri
- University Of Nigeria Nsukka
- Ondo State University Of Science And Technology, Okitipupa
- University Of Port-Harcourt
- Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot-Akpaden
General Knowledge for Students Aspiring to study Civil Engineering in Nigeria
Having discussed the rudiments in previous subheadings, we want to look at other things you might want to know as you pursue admission into a Nigerian University to study Civil Engineering.
Do not go to a Private University
This is not to paint a negative image of Nigerian private universities. As a fan of the beautiful works of this platform, you are entitled to facts. We have disclosed previously that about just 50 Nigerian Universities offer Civil Engineering.
It doesn’t mean that other Universities can not also offer you the course. All we are driving at is that the said Universities offering your course are the ones accredited.
Often, students have issues with private universities in the name of course accreditation. Some courses offered to students in some Nigeria Universities are not accredited – this happens especially in Private institutions.
The worst part is that you might not know this until you seek a job or try to further your education with the result.
So one thing you want to do right now is go back to our list of Nigerian Universities offering Civil Engineering and not down their names if you haven’t done so.
Read Extensively
It is generally believed that Civil Engineering is quite a hard course at the University. For this reason, you want to cultivate the habit of reading extensively even before you get admitted into the University.
Your reading should have begun when you are preparing for WAEC and JAMB examinations, in case you have not written them. Practicing the questions asked in previous years of examination will be advantageous to you if you wish to pass the examinations.
When you get admitted, join other science students that offer the same courses as you and learn together.
Although not as competitive as Medicine and Surgery in this part of the world, Civil Engineering is quite demanding to study. But I want to believe that with the help of this piece, you should now have a better knowledge of the course, as it is done in Nigeria.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, students aspiring to study Civil Engineering in Nigeria are advised to meet the required subject knowledge to avoid being withdrawn from school before completing their course.
The next thing you want to do right now is to make further inquiries on the school you want to pick from our list of schools offering your course above.
Our platform wishes you well as you attain the pinnacle of your ambition, feel free to contact us on the Requirements To Study Civil Engineering In Nigeria,.
