Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Nigeria
Nigeria: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes was 1.51 million number in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Nigeria, 1975–2011
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
Nigeria recorded 1.51 million number for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in 2011. That is the highest value across all 21 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 8.5% on the previous year and up 116.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Nigeria peaked at 1.51 million number in 2011 and was at its lowest, 39,562 number, in 1975.
Nigeria ranks 32nd of 193 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 39,562 number | — |
| 1976 | 44,964 number | +13.7% |
| 1977 | 58,953 number | +31.1% |
| 1978 | 68,382 number | +16.0% |
| 1979 | 97,530 number | +42.6% |
| 1980 | 115,166 number | +18.1% |
| 1981 | 150,072 number | +30.3% |
| 1982 | 176,904 number | +17.9% |
| 1983 | 193,731 number | +9.5% |
| 1984 | 208,051 number | +7.4% |
| 1985 | 240,889 number | +15.8% |
| 1986 | 266,679 number | +10.7% |
| 1987 | 267,862 number | +0.4% |
| 1988 | 304,536 number | +13.7% |
| 1989 | 335,824 number | +10.3% |
| 1999 | 699,109 number | +108.2% |
| 2003 | 1.23 million number | +76.5% |
| 2004 | 1.29 million number | +4.5% |
| 2005 | 1.39 million number | +7.9% |
| 2010 | 1.39 million number | +0.2% |
| 2011 | 1.51 million number | +8.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 61,878 number | 39,562 number | 97,530 number | 5 |
| 1980s | 225,971 number | 115,166 number | 335,824 number | 10 |
| 1990s | 699,109 number | 699,109 number | 699,109 number | 1 |
| 2000s | 1.31 million number | 1.23 million number | 1.39 million number | 3 |
| 2010s | 1.45 million number | 1.39 million number | 1.51 million number | 2 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More education data for Nigeria
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 913,305 (2021)
- Duration of pre primary education, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Duration of pre primary education 1 (2025)
- Official entrance age to pre primary education 5 (2025)
- Population ages 15-64 56.4% (2025)
- Population ages 0-14 40.5% (2025)
- Lower secondary school starting age 12 years (2025)
- Primary school starting age 6 years (2025)
- Primary secondary enrollment completion rates, gaps filled 89.59 (2023)
- School enrollment, primary 89.6% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Nigeria?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Nigeria was 1.51 million number in 2011, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 1.51 million number in 2011.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 39,562 number in 1975.
- How does Nigeria rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Nigeria ranks 32nd out of 193 countries with data for 2011.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 116.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The total number of students enrolled at public and private tertiary education institutions.