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Student Life in Nigeria

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Studying in Nigeria is a life-changing experience that is bound to give international students to explore and view life with a different lens soon after going back. Studying in Nigeria is a great way of starting a career life.

Campus life in Nigerian universities is as diversified as the Nigerian society itself, with different ethnicities and cultures coming together to create one rich cultural hub.

With almost all states having a university, the diversity that exists in universities comes unmatched throughout all of them. If it is a multi-cultural environment a student is looking for, then a Nigerian campus is the place to be.

As a freshman, it is essential to attend the orientation program set by your university to understand the new environment, we would advise that students attend to this. You are guaranteed that after attending orientation, you are bound to feel more at home a few days later when returning students arrive.

The academic year runs from September to July. Most universities use a semester system of 18 – 20 weeks and have 2 semesters within an academic year. Other universities run from January to December, divided into 3 terms of 10 -12 weeks.

Depending on where the student lives and the lecture time table a day on campus usually starts at 7.30 am with morning lectures. An average undergraduate student has between 2-5 lectures in a day.

All universities have a library for the students. Generally, students must be registered before they can make use of library facilities. Library passes are usually renewed every semester or academic year during registration and must be produced every time at the library.

The main university libraries have access to electronic journals and databases like the JSTOR, EBSCO, AGORA, HINARI and, OARE, to support academic and administrative activities. Students need to find out from their library administration what databases their institutions are subscribed to.

Most lectures end by 4 pm leaving room for extra-curricular activities. Students are free to use on-campus sporting and leisure facilities installed for their convenience. Most universities have a wide array of sporting activities and facilities for sports such as soccer, swimming, tennis, basketball, badminton, hockey, and cricket.

Most universities have a gymnasium for students interested in fitness. Students are spoilt with a diverse range of activities to choose from with regards to keeping fit mentally and physically.

For the religious students, there are several religious unions to join on campus depending on one’s religious beliefs. These associations usually define your social life and will probably influence your decision in making new acquaintances.

Nigerian life is very social therefore it is important to have a sensible social life that will allow you to mingle and hang out with peers but not get carried away by it.

Students have the option of either staying on campus on private residences rented out to students. Although we would advise international students to stay on campus, for a more convenient studying experience, accommodation on campus is sometimes a challenge.

Residing on campus saves students a lot of stress, time, and money. The on-campus accommodation is cheaper and power and water supply are guaranteed as opposed to private accommodation.

There is rarely any need for transportation to campus and therefore it means students living on campus save money. Safety on campus is better as most universities have campus security manning the premises 24/7. Other universities such as the University of Ibadan provide comfortable guest houses for international students at university apartments at a prescribed fee.

Some universities have a variety of cafeterias and eateries on campus for the convenience of students. These facilities offer both local and international dishes accompanied by a wide variety of juices and drinks. Around university campuses, there are usually other independent cafeterias that offer food at competitive prices to students.

 

 

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