Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Nigeria
Nigeria: Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes was 9.7% in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Nigeria, 1975–2011
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2011, gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Nigeria stood at 9.7%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.7% on the previous year and up 67.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Nigeria peaked at 10.1% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 0.7%, in 1975.
Nigeria ranks 164th of 194 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 0.7% | — |
| 1976 | 0.8% | +10.5% |
| 1977 | 1.0% | +27.4% |
| 1978 | 1.2% | +12.6% |
| 1979 | 1.6% | +38.6% |
| 1980 | 1.9% | +14.7% |
| 1981 | 2.4% | +26.4% |
| 1982 | 2.7% | +14.6% |
| 1983 | 2.9% | +6.5% |
| 1984 | 3.0% | +5.3% |
| 1985 | 3.4% | +12.5% |
| 1986 | 3.6% | +4.1% |
| 1987 | 3.5% | -2.4% |
| 1988 | 3.8% | +10.2% |
| 1989 | 4.1% | +6.7% |
| 1999 | 5.8% | +42.0% |
| 2003 | 9.3% | +60.0% |
| 2004 | 9.5% | +2.6% |
| 2005 | 10.1% | +6.1% |
| 2010 | 9.2% | -8.8% |
| 2011 | 9.7% | +5.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.1% | 0.7% | 1.6% | 5 |
| 1980s | 3.1% | 1.9% | 4.1% | 10 |
| 1990s | 5.8% | 5.8% | 5.8% | 1 |
| 2000s | 9.6% | 9.3% | 10.1% | 3 |
| 2010s | 9.5% | 9.2% | 9.7% | 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 gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Nigeria?
- Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Nigeria was 9.7% in 2011, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 10.1% in 2005.
- What is the lowest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.7% in 1975.
- How does Nigeria rank for gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes?
- Nigeria ranks 164th out of 194 countries with data for 2011.
- Is gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 67.9%. 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 Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release