Studying pharmacy in Nigeria can give you a smooth career transition into the healthcare sector as a professional. This course will enable you to get excellent training that will give you the ability to solve the challenges of healthcare. Pharmacy is one of the thriving fields in the health sector in Nigeria. Additionally, it is very lucrative with vast career opportunities. However, studying pharmacy in Nigeria requires a lot of dedication, commitment and hard work.

Studying Pharmacy in Nigeria will give you a B.Pharm certificate upon completion. With this certificate, you can work in any healthcare organization in Nigeria as well as other countries. Additionally, you can also begin a private practice with a qualification in pharmacy. However, pharmacy is one of the most competitive courses to study in Nigeria. This is one of the most sought-after courses. Therefore, you must have the right qualifications before you can gain admission to study pharmacy in Nigeria.

In this piece, I will walk you through the academic requirements that are needed for studying pharmacy in Nigeria.

Requirements for Studying Pharmacy in Nigeria

1. Obtain an O’level Result

   Your O’level results are one of the important requirements which are used to decide your admission into the university to study pharmacy. You can use O’level results such as NECO, WAEC or NABTEB. You need to verify from your school of interest the O’level result that is accepted. In your O’level results, you must have a minimum of eight subjects and a maximum of nine. Additionally, you must have a minimum of 5 credit passes in your O’level result. They must include subjects such as Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. These are the five core subjects that must be in your results. Additionally, you can include other relevant subjects that are related to make up the nine subjects.

2. Number of Sittings

   To study pharmacy in Nigeria, you must have passed the subjects in your O’level results in not more than two sittings. You must have written and passed your examinations at least twice. However, some universities might require one sitting. Therefore, you should verify from your university of interest.

3. Write the JAMB Examination

   The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board exam is an essential requirement for obtaining admission in Nigeria. You should register and write subjects such as Biology, Use of English, Physics and Chemistry. Additionally, the minimum cut-off mark for studying pharmacy in Nigeria is 270. You need to have a high JAMB score to gain admission. However, this cut-off mark varies across different universities too.

4. Write the POST-UTME

   This examination is conducted by the universities during the admission process. Every aspiring student must write this examination. Additionally, each school has a cut-off point that is used to screen students into the department. Therefore, you need to ensure that you verify the cut-off mark for your school of interest and pass the mark.

5. Meet the University’s Cut-off mark

   You must meet the university’s cut-off mark before you can get admitted to study pharmacy. This cut-off mark can be a combination of your JAMB score as well as your POST-UTME score.

Requirements for Direct Entry Applicants

Direct entry applicants are applicants who already have a first degree from either a university or a polytechnic. These applicants will start studying from the 200 level if they gain admission into the university.

1. Have an O’level Results

   You must have a minimum of five credits in your O’level results. You can use O’level results such as NECO, WAEC or NABTEB. Additionally, you should have a maximum of two sittings in your O’level results.

2. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

   You must have a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or a related field. Additionally, you should have a minimum of a second-class upper in your bachelor’s degree.

3. Alternative Certificates

   You can use certificates such as a National Diploma(ND) or National Certificate of Education (NCE). However, you must have a minimum of upper credit in your certificates.

4. Obtain the Direct Entry Form

   You need to purchase the direct entry form as well as register for the direct entry admissions. You must obtain the form through the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB)

5. Meet other Qualifications

   You need to make sure that you meet the other qualifications that are required by the University that you want to apply to. Therefore, you must get verification from the university to avoid mistakes.

How to Apply

To apply for this course, you must register for the JAMB examination and register the university and the course as your first choice. Additionally, you must write the university’s POST-UTME.

Duration

The duration for studying Pharmacy in Nigeria is five years. You will also be required to undergo a compulsory one-year internship. Additionally, you need to make sure that the university you are applying to is accredited to study pharmacy.

Tuition Fee

The tuition fee for studying medical laboratory science in Nigeria varies based on the university you apply to. Private universities are more expensive than federal and State Universities.

Universities in Nigeria that Offer Pharmacy

1. University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State
2. University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State
3. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State
4. University of Lagos, Lagos, Lagos State
5. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State
6. University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State
7. University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State
8. Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State
9. University of Ilorin,  Ilorin, Kwara State
10. University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
11. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State
12. University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
13. University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State
14. Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State
15. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State
16. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State
17. Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
18. Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Sokoto State
19. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State
20. University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State
21. Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State
22. Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State
23. Bayero University Kano, Kano, Kano State
24. Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
25. Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State
26. Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State
27. Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
28. Kwara State University, Ilorin, Kwara State
29. University of Abuja, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory
30. Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State
31. Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State
32. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State
33. Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Enugu State
34. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State
35. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State
36. Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State
37. Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State
38. Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State
39. Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State

In Conclusion, studying pharmacy in Nigeria is a highly competitive venture. As an applicant, you must focus on acquiring high scores in your JAMB and Post UTME. Additionally, you need to know that these requirements can change regularly by each university’s administration. Therefore, you should ensure that you visit the school’s website before you make an application. You can also reach out to us for further inquiries and assistance.\

Good luck!

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