Nigerian Universities With 18-24 Months Postgraduate programmes

The number of graduates going for postgraduate programmes in Nigeria is increasing yearly. This is due to different reasons and a few of them include:

• To increase earning power
• For promotion at work
• To increase employability rate
• To acquire more knowledge, etc.

That said, I have decided to share my personal experience to guide graduates who have decided to further their studies in one of the Nigerian Universities.

One of the prevalent questions about the choice of universities for the postgraduate programme is which universities allow students to finish within the stipulated duration.

The answer to the above question isn’t straightforward because there are factors one needs to consider before answering the question. And those factors are what I will discuss to guide you. I did my first degree at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), my Master’s degree at the University of Ibadan (UI), and My Ph.D. at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB). Having passed through the different university systems, I should be able to give you a little heads-up to answer the question.

Moreover, I have friends in some of the universities in Nigeria with whom I have discussed the above issue.

At the postgraduate level, the important questions to answer before you purchase a PG form from any university are

• Are the available programmes (field/option) aligned with your interest?
• Are there quality lectures that are research-oriented in the field?
• Are the lecturers accommodating and ready to assist when you have challenges with your research work?

Based on the questions above, I will discuss universities with the fast postgraduate programmes

University of Ibadan

I spent eighteen months on my Master’s degree at UI and this duration is the minimum year for a Master’s degree in Nigeria. This was possible because my department has a structure that made it possible for us to finish the programme within that duration.

Some lecturers think that the UI master’s programme is more taught than research. In a way, their opinion is logical because we used one year for coursework and six months for research work. However, one of the reasons why some students are delayed more than necessary in other universities is because research work is prolonged unnecessarily.

Ph.D. in UI is not that fast and for you to spend exactly the minimum year (3 years) will take hard work, a supervisor that understands your research area perfectly, is ready to help and accommodating, and the grace of God.

Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB)

The Master’s programme in FUNAAB is a little bit slow due to the structure adopted for postgraduate studies by the school. Although one of my friends finished his Master’s degree in the space of two years which is not common when compared to UI.

One good thing about FUNAAB is that their Ph.D. programme is fast. A good number of Ph.D. students finished within three years which is the minimum year for Ph.D. programmes.

University of Lagos (UNILAG)

The postgraduate programme at Unilag is fast, especially the Master’s programme. The information I got from friends who did their Master’s programme at the university suggests to me that most students used the minimum duration of the programme.

University of Ilorin

How fast or slow your programme will be depends on you and your supervisor. My sister spent two years which is still within the minimum duration for PG programmes at UNILORIN. This school is also fast.

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)

As I am concerned OAU is slow and so many factors are responsible for it. The incessant strike by lectures is affecting the entire programmes of the school. OAU PG programmes are more research.

Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA)

FUTA PG programme can take you a longer time, however, how your programme will depend on you and your supervisor. I have friends that finished their programme in the space of two years.

Private Universities

Postgraduate programmes at private universities are fast. It is so sure that you will finish your programme within the minimum duration either for master’s or Ph.D.

Other schools that are relatively fast include, OOU, LASU, Lautech, UNIBEN, UDUS, etc.

Finally, before you put in for your postgraduate programme either master’s or Mphil or Ph.D., ensure you make your findings of the system of the postgraduate school in that University and the likely lecturers to supervise you before you purchase their PG form.

Recommended: Admission requirements for PG studies