Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) in Nigeria
Nigeria: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) was 608,519 in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female in Nigeria, 1985–2011
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2011, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female in Nigeria stood at 608,519. That is the highest value across all 11 years on record.
That represents a change of up 4.3% on the previous year and up 101.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female in Nigeria peaked at 608,519 in 2011 and was at its lowest, 62,033, in 1985.
Nigeria ranks 38th of 195 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, female (number) in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 62,033 | — |
| 1986 | 70,724 | +14.0% |
| 1987 | 75,647 | +7.0% |
| 1988 | 76,507 | +1.1% |
| 1989 | 81,315 | +6.3% |
| 1999 | 302,016 | +271.4% |
| 2003 | 493,683 | +63.5% |
| 2004 | 525,034 | +6.4% |
| 2005 | 566,507 | +7.9% |
| 2010 | 583,329 | +3.0% |
| 2011 | 608,519 | +4.3% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 608,519 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 142,539, 4.3× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 608,519 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 40,177, 15.1× the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 73,245 | 62,033 | 81,315 | 5 |
| 1990s | 302,016 | 302,016 | 302,016 | 1 |
| 2000s | 528,408 | 493,683 | 566,507 | 3 |
| 2010s | 595,924 | 583,329 | 608,519 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More education data for Nigeria
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 912,245 (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.08 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.24 million (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 15.20 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 33.42 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.18 % change on previous year (2021)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1466 units per person (2023)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female in Nigeria?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female in Nigeria was 608,519 in 2011, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 608,519 in 2011.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 62,033 in 1985.
- How does Nigeria rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female?
- Nigeria ranks 38th out of 195 countries with data for 2011.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 101.5%. 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, female (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release