How To Become A Professor In Nigeria
Becoming a professor in Nigeria is a big achievement, and it involves meeting certain requirements and following specific steps. In this blog post, we’ll break down the process of becoming a professor in Nigeria in 2025, highlighting the necessary qualifications and providing practical tips to increase your chances of success.
Requirements to Become a Professor in Nigeria
To become a professor in Nigeria, you need to meet the following minimum requirements:
- PhD Degree: Obtain a PhD in the field you want to teach. This degree showcases your expertise and research skills.
- Teaching Experience: Accumulate at least 10 years of teaching experience at a tertiary institution. This experience can be gained as a lecturer or senior lecturer.
- Research and Publication: Develop a strong track record of research and publication in peer-reviewed journals. This demonstrates your commitment to advancing knowledge in your field.
- Scholarly Leadership: Provide evidence of scholarly leadership through activities like publishing books, contributing to book chapters, giving conference presentations, and participating in editorial boards of academic journals.
- Administrative Experience: Gain administrative experience, which may be required by some universities. This can be achieved by taking on roles such as departmental head, dean of a faculty, or vice chancellor of a university.
Steps to Becoming a Professor in Nigeria
- Earn a PhD: Start by obtaining a PhD either from a Nigerian university or from abroad.
- Gain Teaching Experience: Acquire teaching experience at a tertiary institution, either as a lecturer or senior lecturer.
- Conduct Research and Publish: Actively engage in research and publish your findings in peer-reviewed journals.
- Demonstrate Scholarly Leadership: Showcase your expertise by participating in scholarly activities like writing books, contributing to book chapters, presenting at conferences, and serving on editorial boards.
- Gain Administrative Experience: If required, take on administrative roles to demonstrate leadership skills and project management capabilities.
Tips for Increasing Your Chances
- Network with Academics: Attend conferences, meetings, and connect with other academics online to learn about job opportunities.
- Publish in High-Impact Journals: Aim to publish your research in prestigious, high-impact journals to increase visibility.
- Get Involved in Professional Organizations: Join organizations like the Nigerian Academy of Science or the Nigerian Universities Commission to show commitment to your field and build valuable relationships.
- Win Research Grants: Secure research grants to showcase your ability to obtain funding and manage complex projects.
- Supervise Students to Completion: Demonstrate your mentoring skills by successfully supervising graduate students.
Conclusion
Becoming a professor in Nigeria requires dedication, continuous learning, and active participation in the academic community. By following these steps and tips, you can enhance your chances of achieving this esteemed position in the academic world.
FAQs
What are the educational qualifications required to become a professor in Nigeria?
To become a professor in Nigeria, you must first obtain a Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc. or B.A.) in your chosen field, followed by a Master’s degree (M.Sc. or M.A.), and then a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. The Ph.D. is a mandatory requirement, as it demonstrates mastery and research expertise in your discipline.
How many years of experience are needed to become a professor in Nigeria?
Generally, it takes at least 10 to 15 years of academic experience after earning a Ph.D. to become a professor in Nigeria. This period includes serving as a Lecturer II, Lecturer I, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor (Reader), and finally, a full Professor.
Is publication in academic journals necessary to become a professor in Nigeria?
Yes, publications are essential. To be promoted to the rank of professor, a candidate must have a strong record of scholarly research and publications in reputable national and international journals. Most universities require at least 30–40 peer-reviewed journal articles, along with evidence of research supervision and conference participation.
What is the process of promotion to the rank of professor in Nigeria?
The promotion process begins with the candidate applying through their university’s academic staff appraisal system. The candidate’s academic qualifications, teaching experience, research output, publications, and contributions to the university are evaluated by both internal and external assessors. Upon successful assessment and approval by the university senate, the title of “Professor” is conferred.