JAMB, WAEC, and admissions guides for Nigerian students
Subjects Required to Study Political Science in Nigeria
To study Political Science in Nigeria, you need five O Level credits at C6 or above in English Language, Government or History, plus three of Mathematics, Economics, Geography, CRS, IRS, Commerce, Literature in English, or a Nigerian language. Your JAMB UTME subjects are Use of English, Government or History, Economics, plus one of CRS, IRS, Literature in English, Geography. The JAMB score needed is 205 to 220 at top federal universities, with working cut-offs of 215 at UNILAG, UI, OAU.
Last updated: May 2026 Political Science in Nigeria is a four-year B.Sc programme covering political theory, comparative politics, public administration, international relations, and Nigerian government. Graduates work in the public sector, diplomacy, journalism, NGOs, policy think tanks, and increasingly the political consulting and electoral support sector. The course is also a strong foundation for Law (post-graduate LLM after a B.Sc, or LLB through a second-degree route).
At a glance
Detail
Value
JAMB compulsory subjects
Use of English, Government or History, Economics, plus one arts/social science
O Level credits required
5 at C6 or above
JAMB minimum (federal)
200 (working floor 205-220)
JAMB minimum (state)
180-210
JAMB minimum (private)
180-200
Years of study
4 years
Professional bodies
Nigerian Political Science Association; CIPM for HR; CIAN for international relations
O Level requirements
Five credits at C6 or above. English Language is required at all schools. Government or History is required at most schools (one of the two). Mathematics credit is required at many federal universities (UI, UNILAG, OAU, ABU); a few state and private schools accept a pass. Economics credit helps, especially because Economics is one of the JAMB subjects.
For the remaining credits, candidates typically include CRS or IRS, Literature in English, Geography, or a Nigerian language. The flexibility is real; Political Science admits candidates with various arts/social science backgrounds as long as the core five credits (including English plus Mathematics where required) are clean.
JAMB UTME requirements
The JAMB combination is Use of English, Government or History, Economics, plus one of CRS, IRS, Literature in English, Geography. The four-subject combination is consistent across Nigerian universities for Political Science.
JAMB scores: 215 working at UNILAG, UI, OAU; 210 at UNN, UNIBEN; 210 at UNILORIN; 215 at LASU; 200 to 215 at state universities; 180 to 200 at private universities.
Universities offering Political Science in Nigeria
Political Science is one of the most widely offered programmes nationally. All federal universities run it. All state universities run it. Most private universities run Political Science or the closely related International Relations / International Studies. Pan-Atlantic runs International Relations alongside its other Social Sciences programmes.
Related programmes include International Relations (IR), Public Administration, Diplomacy, Strategic Studies, and Political Economy. The curriculum overlaps but each has a distinct emphasis; IR focuses on global affairs and diplomacy, Public Administration on government and policy, while Political Science is the broadest theoretical foundation.
The B.Sc Political Science curriculum
Four years. Year 1 covers Introduction to Political Science, Political Thought, Constitutional Development, plus general studies (Economics, Sociology, History).
Year 2 covers Nigerian Government and Politics, Comparative Politics, Political Theory, Public Administration, Local Government Studies, Research Methods.
Year 3 covers International Relations, Political Economy, Public Policy Analysis, Comparative Federalism, African Politics, Foreign Policy, Political Sociology.
Year 4 covers Advanced specialisation in chosen track (Public Administration, IR, or Political Theory), Final-Year Project, electives in Conflict and Peace Studies, Election Studies, Political Communication, Governance and Democracy.
SIWES happens at the end of year 3, often at government ministries, the National Assembly, INEC, NGOs, policy think tanks, or international organisations.
Career outlook and cost
Political Science graduates work across the public sector (federal and state ministries, government agencies, the National Assembly, presidential aide roles, special advisor roles), the diplomatic service (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerian missions abroad), policy think tanks (Centre for Public Policy Alternatives, Convention on Business Integrity, Yiaga Africa), international organisations (UN agencies, AU, ECOWAS), election support sector (INEC, Yiaga Africa, NDI, IRI), media and political analysis (Channels TV, Premium Times), and the growing political consulting and campaign management sector.
Salaries vary widely. Public sector positions follow the standard government salary scales. International organisations and policy think tanks pay considerably higher; UN and AfDB consultants earn USD-equivalent salaries. Political consulting can be lucrative during election cycles. Many Political Science graduates also pursue Law (LLM post-graduate or LLB through second degree) and work as policy lawyers.
Tuition cost: Federal universities free tuition with first-year fees of ₦70,000 to ₦130,000. State universities for indigenes: ₦40,000 to ₦120,000 per session. Private universities: ₦1 million to ₦2.5 million per session. Total B.Sc Political Science cost: ₦300,000 to ₦600,000 at federal, ₦600,000 to ₦1.2 million at state, ₦4 million to ₦10 million at private.
Frequently asked questions
Is Political Science useful in Nigeria today?
Yes, especially in the public sector, NGO sector, and the growing political consulting space. The career flexibility is real; graduates work in diplomacy, journalism, policy analysis, election support, law (after additional qualification), and academia. The course is also a strong undergraduate foundation for Law as a postgraduate qualification through Conversion Programme or LLM routes.
What is the difference between Political Science and International Relations?
Political Science is the broader degree covering domestic and international politics, political theory, public administration, and comparative politics. International Relations focuses specifically on global affairs, diplomacy, foreign policy, and international organisations. Both lead to similar early career paths; IR has a slight edge for diplomatic service careers, Political Science for general policy and government roles. Many universities offer both as separate B.Sc programmes.
Can I switch to Law after Political Science?
Yes, through two routes. First, a graduate-entry LLB programme where a degree-holder enters Law at 200 or 300 level (usually two to three years to complete). Second, the Conversion Programme at the Nigerian Law School for international Law graduates (less relevant for Nigerian Political Science graduates). The Direct Entry route into LLB is also possible with strong Political Science grades. The total path: 4 years Political Science + 2 to 3 years LLB + 1 year Law School = 7 to 8 years total to Bar Call, which is similar to direct LLB+Law School (6 years).
Is Political Science competitive at top federal universities?
Moderately competitive. Working cut-offs at UNILAG, UI, OAU sit at 215 to 220, lower than Accounting (235) or Economics (230) but high enough that 200 JAMB is not enough. A 220+ JAMB plus strong Post-UTME puts you in real contention. Candidates with 200 to 210 JAMB should look at state universities (LASU at 215, OOU at 200, EKSU at 200) or private universities (Pan-Atlantic at 200-220 for IR).
What careers in diplomacy are open?
The Nigerian Foreign Service (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) recruits through a competitive entrance exam usually conducted at the Foreign Service Academy. Political Science and International Relations graduates are eligible to apply after their first degree. Successful applicants enter the Foreign Service Academy for further training, then serve at Nigerian missions abroad. The career path includes embassies, consulates, and the UN missions in New York, Geneva, Addis Ababa. Salary at entry level is competitive with senior banking salaries; senior diplomatic posts (Ambassador) carry international living allowances.
Can I work in election monitoring after Political Science?
Yes. Yiaga Africa, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), the Civil Society Situation Room, and international organisations (IRI, NDI, EU EOM, AU Observer Missions) all recruit Political Science graduates for election monitoring and democracy support work. The roles range from data analysts to field observers to policy researchers. Pay is comparable to NGO sector pay generally; election cycle work can be intense but rewarding for candidates interested in democracy and governance.
Beyond traditional Political Science careers
The career options for Political Science graduates have widened substantially in recent years. Beyond the traditional public sector and diplomatic paths, candidates now move into policy consulting (advising governments and corporations on regulatory matters), governance start-ups (BudgIT, OrderPaper, Connected Development), election technology firms (working with INEC on voting infrastructure), and political risk consulting for international firms operating in Nigeria.
The skills that Political Science develops, analytical reasoning, comparative thinking, policy analysis, persuasive writing, are transferable to many adjacent careers. Many Political Science graduates also pursue careers in journalism (political reporting), corporate strategy (geopolitical and regulatory analysis at large companies), and increasingly the technology-policy space where governments and tech firms intersect.
Building your network as a Political Science student
Political Science is the network-driven discipline by nature. From your first year, attend public lectures, debates, and policy conferences in your city. Many federal universities and Lagos-based think tanks (CDD, BudgIT, Yiaga Africa) run open events that welcome undergraduates. Volunteer for INEC voter registration drives, for political party constituency engagements (in a non-partisan capacity if you prefer), for NGO election monitoring during local cycles.
By year 3, you should have built relationships with at least one think tank, one NGO, and one current public official or staffer. These networks become the route to internships and post-graduation jobs in the policy and public sector space. Without a network, Political Science graduates compete on credentials alone, which is harder than competing on credentials plus relationships.
Sources
JAMB 2026 brochure; Nigerian Political Science Association; Nigerian Foreign Service; university admission portals.
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.
