JAMB, WAEC, and admissions guides for Nigerian students
Subjects Required to Study Accounting in Nigeria
To study Accounting in Nigeria, you need five O Level credits at C6 or above in English Language, Mathematics, Economics, plus two of Government, Commerce, Financial Accounting, Geography, CRS, IRS, or a Nigerian language. Your JAMB UTME subjects are Use of English, Mathematics, Economics and one of Government, Commerce, Geography. The JAMB score needed is 220 to 235 at top federal universities, with working cut-offs of 235 at UNILAG, UI, OAU, UNN, UNIBEN.
Last updated: May 2026 Accounting in Nigeria is a four-year B.Sc Accounting programme. The qualification leads to a degree, after which graduates pursue professional certification through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), or international bodies like ACCA, CPA, CIMA. The dual academic-plus-professional path makes Accounting one of the strongest career routes in Nigeria for banking, financial services, audit, and corporate finance.
At a glance
Detail
Value
JAMB compulsory subjects
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics, plus one of Government, Commerce, Geography
O Level credits required
5 at C6 or above
O Level subjects
English, Maths, Economics plus two of Government, Commerce, Geography, CRS, IRS
JAMB minimum (federal)
200 (working floor 220-235)
JAMB minimum (state)
200-220
JAMB minimum (private)
180-210
Years of study
4 years (B.Sc Accounting)
Professional bodies
ICAN, ANAN; international: ACCA, CPA, CIMA
Direct Entry route
A Level, IJMB, JUPEB, ND, HND
O Level requirements in detail
Five credits at C6 or above in not more than two sittings. The required subjects are English Language, Mathematics, Economics, plus two of Government, Commerce, Financial Accounting (if available at your school), Geography, CRS, IRS. Some universities also accept Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, or French as the fifth credit.
Mathematics credit is non-negotiable. Accounting is heavily quantitative; the curriculum builds on financial mathematics, calculus, statistics, and quantitative analysis. A D7 in Mathematics is a hard stop. Economics credit is also strict at most schools, given the foundational role of Economics in the Accounting curriculum.
Further Mathematics is recommended but not required. Candidates with Further Maths have an edge on the 200 to 300 level financial mathematics and quantitative methods modules.
Financial Accounting at SS3 (where the curriculum offers it) is a useful credit but not always required. It demonstrates exposure to the accounting basics and helps with the foundation year.
JAMB UTME requirements in detail
The JAMB combination is Use of English, Mathematics, Economics, plus one of Government, Commerce, Geography. Some schools also accept CRS or IRS as the fourth subject; check the brochure for your target school.
JAMB scores: 230 to 235 working at top federal universities. UNILAG Accounting works at 235, UI at 235, OAU at 230, UNN at 230, UNIBEN at 230, ABU at 220. State universities admit Accounting at 200 to 220. Private universities at 180 to 210, with tuition as the bigger filter (Covenant, Babcock, ABUAD, Pan-Atlantic, Bowen all run strong Accounting programmes).
Aim for 240+ JAMB to feel safe at top federal Accounting. The course has been rising in cut-off over five cycles as the Lagos banking and consulting industries continue to recruit aggressively from these schools.
Universities offering Accounting in Nigeria
Federal: UI, UNILAG, OAU, UNN, ABU, UNIBEN, UNILORIN, UNICAL, University of Port Harcourt, University of Jos, Bayero University Kano. Almost every federal university offers Accounting.
Private: Covenant University (strong programme tied to Lagos Business School ecosystem), Babcock, ABUAD, Pan-Atlantic (especially strong), Bowen, Bingham, Madonna, Lead City, Caleb, Augustine, Veritas.
Polytechnics also offer Accounting at ND and HND levels. The polytechnic route is a real career path; HND Accounting holders qualify for the same ICAN professional path as B.Sc graduates, though some employers prefer the B.Sc.
The B.Sc Accounting curriculum
The B.Sc Accounting is four years. Year 1 covers foundation (Mathematics for Economists, Principles of Economics, Introduction to Business, Introduction to Accounting, English, general studies).
Year 2 covers Financial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Statistics, Microeconomics, Business Law, Computer Applications in Business.
Year 3 covers Intermediate Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Management Accounting, Financial Management, Corporate Finance, Quantitative Techniques for Business.
Year 4 covers Advanced Accounting, Public Sector Accounting, Forensic Accounting, Strategic Management, Business Ethics, Final-Year Project, plus electives in Banking, Insurance, Investment Analysis.
SIWES (industrial training) happens at the end of year 3, typically a 6-month placement at an accounting firm, bank, or corporate finance department. Many students use SIWES to secure post-graduation employment offers.
The ICAN professional path
The B.Sc Accounting is the academic degree; ICAN is the professional certification that establishes the candidate as a Chartered Accountant. ICAN runs four levels: Foundation, Skills, Professional, and Final. The Final pass leads to admission as an Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA), the qualifying title for accounting practice in Nigeria.
B.Sc Accounting graduates can claim exemptions from ICAN’s earlier stages, typically starting at Skills or Professional level depending on the school and the graduate’s grades. The full ICAN path from start to ACA typically takes 2 to 4 years after the B.Sc, depending on study pace and exemption status.
ANAN (Association of National Accountants of Nigeria) is the secondary professional body, run through a different qualification path with similar legal recognition. Some graduates also pursue international qualifications: ACCA (UK), CPA (US), CIMA (UK Chartered Institute of Management Accountants).
The ACA+ACCA combination is common among Nigerian accountants targeting senior corporate finance roles or international careers. ACCA in particular has strong international portability and is recognised across 180+ countries.
Career outlook and cost
B.Sc Accounting graduates work in audit firms (Big Four: PwC, KPMG, EY, Deloitte; plus mid-tier firms), banks (Access, GTBank, First Bank, UBA, Zenith and the rest), corporate finance departments (Dangote, MTN, Total, Shell, Cadbury and many others), the public sector (Office of the Auditor-General, FIRS, CBN, ministries), and consulting (McKinsey, BCG, Bain when they recruit in Lagos; plus Nigerian-owned consulting firms).
Starting salaries: entry-level audit at a Big Four firm in Lagos pays ₦400,000 to ₦700,000 a month; banks pay similar at entry level. Senior managers and partners earn ₦3 million to ₦10 million a month at top firms. The Big Four offer accelerated career progression through their academy programmes; ACA-plus-Big-Four experience is the gold-standard CV in Nigerian accounting.
Tuition cost: Federal universities run free tuition with first-year fees of ₦80,000 to ₦150,000. State universities for indigenes: ₦50,000 to ₦150,000 per session. Private universities for Accounting: ₦1.2 million to ₦2.5 million per session (Pan-Atlantic at the higher end given the LBS connection). Total cost of a B.Sc Accounting: ₦400,000 to ₦800,000 at federal, ₦800,000 to ₦1.5 million at state, ₦5 million to ₦10 million at private. ICAN professional exams add ₦300,000 to ₦500,000 in fees over the 2 to 4 years of certification.
Frequently asked questions
Is Accounting worth studying as a B.Sc or should I just do ICAN?
Both. The B.Sc Accounting plus ICAN combination is the standard career path; the B.Sc gives you exemption from ICAN’s early stages and the academic foundation for senior corporate roles. ICAN alone (without a degree) is technically possible through ICAN’s direct entry routes, but the degree-plus-ICAN combination is what most senior accounting roles require. For corporate finance, banking and consulting careers, the B.Sc is the standard entry qualification. ICAN alone works for some practice-based careers but limits employment options.
What is the difference between Accounting and Banking and Finance?
Accounting focuses on financial reporting, audit, taxation, cost accounting, and corporate finance. Banking and Finance focuses on banking operations, investment, capital markets, and financial intermediation. The two share substantial overlap in the early years (Economics, Statistics, basic Accounting) but diverge in the senior years. For careers in audit and corporate finance, Accounting is the natural path. For careers in commercial banking, investment banking, or capital markets, Banking and Finance is a more direct fit. Both lead to similar starting salaries.
Can I study Accounting without Economics credit at O Level?
Most universities require Economics credit at O Level for Accounting admission. UI, UNILAG, OAU, UNN and the major federal universities are strict on this. A few private universities accept Commerce or Government as a substitute, but Economics is the standard requirement. If Economics is weak in your first WAEC sitting, retake it through WAEC GCE or NECO before applying.
Is HND Accounting from a polytechnic as good as B.Sc?
HND Accounting is a legitimate qualification, and HND holders can pursue ICAN through the same channels as B.Sc graduates. The career outcome is broadly similar at the practice and mid-tier corporate level. Some senior corporate roles still prefer B.Sc holders, and the salary differential at entry-level can be 10 to 20% in favour of B.Sc graduates at top firms. The HND-to-Bachelor conversion route (top-up degree) is available at many universities for HND graduates wanting the B.Sc title; this takes 2 to 3 years part-time or 1 to 2 years full-time.
Does Pan-Atlantic’s LBS connection matter for Accounting?
Yes. Pan-Atlantic University houses the Lagos Business School (LBS), one of Africa’s leading business schools. Pan-Atlantic’s undergraduate Accounting and Business programmes benefit from the LBS faculty, network, and resources. Graduates have strong access to internships and post-graduation roles at top Lagos corporate firms, including consulting houses and banks that recruit from LBS. The high tuition (₦1.8m to ₦3.5m per session) reflects this premium positioning. For families with the financial means, Pan-Atlantic is a competitive option for Accounting.
How long until I can earn a senior accounting salary?
Four years for the B.Sc Accounting, plus NYSC, plus 2 to 4 years to complete ICAN. So 7 to 9 years from JAMB admission to ACA qualification. Senior associate salaries at Big Four firms typically come 3 to 5 years after ACA; manager-level 5 to 8 years after ACA. Partnership at Big Four is 10 to 15 years after ACA. The career path is steady but long; senior corporate finance and audit careers have predictable progression for diligent candidates.
JAMB 2026 brochure; Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN); ACCA; university admission portals; National Universities Commission.
Lagos-based education writer covering JAMB, WAEC and NECO, and tertiary admissions across Nigeria. Chinedu tracks cut-off marks, admission lists, and school portal updates so students and parents do not have to.
