Postgraduate education in Nigeria began in the 60s. At this time, there were only five universities in the country. They are; University of Ibadan, University of Ife (now OAU), University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. They are all jointly called first generation universities.
Postgraduate education at these Nigerian Universities are top notch, atleast by Nigerian standards. They have the longest years in offering postgraduate education, and at a time were at par in quality with U.K universities.
First generation universities get the highest funding from the Nigerian government. This enables these school afford quality faculty staff (researchers and professors) in various fields of study. Increased funding also provides equiment and laboratry that may be scarce in other institutions.
Beyond these is a large alumni base and an extensive international network these schools possess. This helps postgraduate students and faculty staff seeking grants, scholarships and other rare opportunities, that would have been beyond reach.
Most importantly is the fact that first generation universities are expection to have 60% of their student population as postgraduate students. At a time, University of Ibadan almost became a full postgraduate university, before it was stopped.
From Postgraduate Nigeria, we advice that if you want the best postgraduate education, attend a first generation university.
