Choosing the right course to study at university is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your academic and career journey. But in Nigeria, the reality is that many students make that decision with little to no support. Without structured academic advising or active guidance counsellors, students are often left to navigate this major choice on their own, with help from Google, peers, or family opinions.
Sometimes, after finally applying, students don’t get into their first-choice course and are placed into something they’ve never even considered. Other times, people just choose randomly and hope for the best. This often leads to graduates who finish school and never use their degrees, or worse, regret the path they took.
That’s why it’s so important to choose wisely and to make that decision based on a clear understanding of yourself, your options, and your goals.
Understand the Path You’re On—But Know It’s Not Final
In most Nigerian secondary schools, students are streamed into science, art, or commercial classes as early as SS1. By the time you reach SS3, the subjects you’re studying may already be nudging you toward a particular direction. While this system can be helpful in creating focus, it can also be limiting if you assume you must stay on a fixed path.
The truth is that you have options.
For example, a student in science class who finds they genuinely enjoy economics or government may still be able to pursue a social science course if they plan ahead and ensure their subject combinations for WAEC and JAMB meet the requirements. On the flip side, someone with strong maths and physics skills could explore not just the many variants of engineering( like the relatively unknown Materials Engineering) but also fields like architecture, quantity surveying, or urban planning, and someone with multiple interests could try anything from Biomedical Engineering to Actuarial Science.
Your current class doesn’t define you forever. But it’s important to align your course choice with what you’re good at and what excites you.
Start with Your Interests and Strengths
This is where many students get it wrong. Some pick a course based on its popularity (“everyone is doing tech now, so Computer Science”), or because their parents insist. Others default to what their friends are studying. But choosing a course should begin with you.
Ask yourself:
- What subjects do I enjoy the most?
- What kinds of problems or projects excite me?
- What feedback have I received from teachers or mentors about my strengths?
You can also explore online tools like career quizzes or interest assessments to broaden your awareness of fields that match your skills and personality. These aren’t perfect, but they offer direction and spark ideas you might not have considered.
Talk to people who know you well. Sometimes, others can see our potential more clearly than we can.
Know What’s Available
Many students are unaware of the range of courses Nigerian universities actually offer. Resources like the JAMB brochure can help you explore your options, including the subject combinations required for admission. There’s a lot more than the usual Medicine, Law, and Engineering.
Take time to research:
- The full list of courses available in universities and polytechnics
- Their career prospects
- The subject requirements
- Whether they align with your long-term goals
It’s also okay to discover new options late. What matters is how you act on that knowledge.
Think Long-Term, Not Just Trends
Not every trending course will stay relevant. And not every dream course is marketable in today’s job market. It’s important to strike a balance.
Ask:
- What kind of work do I want to be doing in 5 years?
- What industries are growing, and where might my skills be useful?
- Will this degree open up multiple pathways, or close them?
Sometimes the “hot” course is not the right one for you. Sometimes, a lesser-known field might be exactly what the future needs.
Talk to People Who’ve Walked the Path
In the absence of academic advisors, mentors become invaluable. Reach out to people currently studying the course you’re interested in, or already working in the field. They can offer clarity on what the course actually involves and whether it aligns with your expectations.
This is one reason why we do what we do at MentorMe Nigeria. A mentor can help you make more informed choices, avoid common mistakes, and see the bigger picture
Finally
Choosing a course isn’t about picking what’s popular—it’s about choosing what’s purposeful. You’re allowed to be curious. You’re allowed to explore. And you’re allowed to change your mind as long as you do so fully informed.
Start by understanding yourself, follow that up with research, and surround yourself with the right people and tools to support your growth.
Your degree should be a launchpad, not a detour.
