What are the best engineering courses to study in the university in Nigeria in 2025 and which of them has the highest paid job opportunity? What is the JAMB cut off mark for an engineering course in Nigeria and which university is the best to study it? The above questions and more will be answered in the course of this post.
Engineering is one of the best and most popular science courses anyone can study with good job opportunity both in Nigeria and abroad. But, the question is, what type of engineering is the best?
Choosing a course in engineering could be difficult sometimes especially when you are new to it. As a prospective undergraduate, you may not fully understand what each field entails until you get into it. Sometimes we judge it by the name which we could be right or wrong.
In this post, I will share a list of top 10 best engineering courses to study in Nigeria, their job opportunities or where you can work in, JAMB cut off mark and best university to study each course.
Top 10 Best Engineering Courses in Nigeria 2025
1. Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering is one of the oldest and most essential branches of engineering which focuses on designing and construction of infrastructure such as roads, airports, dams, etc.
This is just the practical aspect of the course which every student of the course who wishes to be a top G in the engineering field must follow. At first, you do not really need to to start taking contracts. All you need is to be on the field where those activities are done and ensure you participate actively.
Civil engineering requires both theoretical and practical knowledge.
Job Opportunities
What the job opportunities for Civil Engineering?
- Structural Engineer: This deals with designs and analyzes buildings, bridges, and other structures.
- Geotechnical Engineer which deals with specializes in soil mechanics and foundation engineering.
- Transportation Engineer which deals with works on roads, railways, airports, and traffic management.
- Water Resources Engineer which deals with designs water supply and drainage systems.
- Construction Manager which deals with oversees building projects to ensure quality and efficiency.
- Environmental Engineer – Focuses on sustainable construction and environmental protection.
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Urban Planner – Works on city planning and development projects.
From the job opportunities we have above, it is clear that one person cannot handle the whole civil engineering processes which simply entails that you have to choose a particular field under this course to major on.
If you are wondering where you can work in as a civil engineer, you can work in construction companies, government agencies, real estate firms, oil and gas companies, and consulting firms and you can also become project managers, consultants, or independent contractors.
JAMB Cut-off Mark
The JAMB cut-off mark for Civil Engineering in Nigeria varies from one university to another but the general cut off mark is 180. This simply means that for you to gain admission in any Nigerian university as a civil engineering student, you must have scored up to 180 in UTME. However, universities are allowed to publish their departmental cut off marks which in most cases, appears higher than the general UTME cut off score.
Best Universities to Study Civil Engineering in Nigeria
Best universities to study Civil Engineering in Nigeria include:
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
- Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO)
- University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
Annual Salary Range
The yearly salary of a civil engineer in Nigeria depends several factors such as experience, specialization, and the company. Below is an estimated yearly earning of a civil engineer:
- Entry-level (0-3 years experience): ₦1.5 million – ₦3 million per year.
- Mid-level (4-9 years experience): ₦3 million – ₦6 million per year.
- Senior-level (10+ years experience): ₦6 million – ₦10 million per year.
- Oil and Gas Sector (high-paying industry): ₦5 million – ₦15 million per year.
2. Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering is one of the best courses under engineering. It focuses on maintenance of machines, engines, plants and other heavy equipment such as manufacturing machines.
Majorly, this type of engineers are majorly into problem solving. If you are wondering where a mechanical engineer students can work, there are so many sectors open for him to work and they include oil and gas, automotive, aerospace, power generation, construction, and even biomedical engineering.
Job Opportunities
Below is a list of job opportunities for a graduate of mechanical engineering:
- Automotive Engineer: this branch focuses on working on the design and production of vehicles.
- Aerospace Engineer: this focuses on developing aircraft, spacecraft, and defense systems.
- Manufacturing Engineer: just like the name implies, these set of engineers focus on improving production processes in factories.
- Power Plant Engineer: graduates of this branch of mechanical engineering deals with the management of mechanical systems in power plants.
- Oil and Gas Engineer which focuses on working on drilling, refining, and pipeline systems.
- Robotics Engineer: these engineers focus on designing and developing robotic systems for automation.
- HVAC Engineer – Specializing in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
JAMB Cut-off Mark
The general JAMB cut-off mark for Mechanical Engineering in Nigeria varies from one university to another, but most institutions require at least 180. Some top universities may set their departmental cut-off marks higher.
Best Universities to Study Mechanical Engineering in Nigeria
Some of the best universities to study Mechanical Engineering in Nigeria include:
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA)
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
- University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)
Annual Salary Range
Below is an estimated yearly earning of mechanical engineer:
- Entry-level (0-3 years experience): ₦1.5 million – ₦3 million per year.
- Mid-level (4-9 years experience): ₦3 million – ₦6 million per year.
- Senior-level (10+ years experience): ₦6 million – ₦12 million per year.
- Oil and Gas Sector (high-paying industry): ₦5 million – ₦20 million per year.
3. Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE)
Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) is a branch of engineering that deals with the study, design, and application of electrical and electronic systems. The course covers areas such as power generation, telecommunications, automation, control systems, and circuit design. It seems like these engineers only knows how to work anything that deals with or power generation.
I have a friend who studies this course and each time I see him, he literally works specifically on generating or power. He does not fix engines or heavy equipment, instead, he is always in the electrical field.
Electrical engineers can work in power companies, telecommunications firms, manufacturing industries, oil and gas companies, IT firms, and government agencies. This opportunity is open to them both in Nigeria and abroad.
Job Opportunities
Graduates of Electrical and Electronics Engineering can work in various industries such as:
- Power Systems Engineer which deals with designs and manages electrical power networks.
- Telecommunications Engineer which deals with works on mobile networks, satellite communications, and internet services.
- Electronics Engineer – the engineers design and develop circuits, microchips, and consumer electronics.
- Automation Engineer – Specializes in robotics and automated systems in industries.
- Control Systems Engineer – this aspect of mechanical engineering focuses on electrical control systems for industries like oil and gas.
- Renewable Energy Engineer – Focuses on solar, wind, and hydroelectric power solutions.
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IT and Software Engineer – Develops software and hardware systems for electronic devices.
JAMB Cut-off Mark
The general JAMB cut-off mark for Electrical and Electronics Engineering in Nigeria is 190. However, universities in Nigeria go on publish their departmental cut off marks which is way more effective than the general cut off point.
Best Universities to Study Electrical and Electronics Engineering in Nigeria
Top universities for this course in Nigeria include:
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- Covenant University
- Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA)
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
Annual Salary Range
Below is an estimated yearly salary range for a mechanical engineer in Nigeria:
- Entry-level (0-3 years experience): ₦2 million – ₦4 million per year.
- Mid-level (4-9 years experience): ₦4 million – ₦7 million per year.
- Senior-level (10+ years experience): ₦7 million – ₦12 million per year.
- Oil and Gas Sector (high-paying industry): ₦5 million – ₦20 million per year.
4. Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering is a field that combines electrical engineering and computer science to design and develop computer systems, software, and hardware. Most people, especially in Nigeria, think that computer engineers only fix or repair computers, but they do not only do so. It also focuses on areas such as programming, networking, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), embedded systems, and hardware development.
For me, computer engineering one of the best engineering courses because it gives you the opportunity to master technology. The fields of programming, networking, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) are high in demand especially abroad and they earn handsomely.
Job Opportunities
Graduates of Computer Engineering have numerous career opportunities in various industries which include:
- Software Engineer: Just like the name implies, they develop applications (apps), operating systems (OS), and cloud-based solutions.
- Hardware Engineer: focuses on designing and builing computer hardware like processors, memory chips, and circuit boards.
- Cybersecurity Specialist: are trained to protect networks, systems, and data from cyber threats.
- Network Engineer are trained to manage computer networks and ensure smooth data communication.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineer – Develops machine learning algorithms and AI applications.
- Embedded Systems Engineer – Works on microcontroller-based systems in industries like automotive and robotics.
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IT Support Engineer – Provides technical support for software, hardware, and networks.
JAMB Cut-off Mark
The JAMB cut-off mark for Computer Engineering varies by university but generally falls between 190. The departmental cut off mark for this course may be up to 240 for some universities.
Best Universities to Study Computer Engineering in Nigeria
The top best universities in Nigeria to study Computer Engineering include:
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA)
- Covenant University
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
- University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)
Annual Salary Range
Computer Engineering is one of the highest-paying engineering fields in Nigeria. Their yearly salaries rage from ₦3 million – ₦25 million. Below is an estimated annual earning of a computer engineer based on specialization and employer:
- Entry-level (0-3 years experience): ₦3 million – ₦5 million per year.
- Mid-level (4-9 years experience): ₦5 million – ₦10 million per year.
- Senior-level (10+ years experience): ₦10 million – ₦20 million per year.
- Tech Giants & Multinational Companies: ₦8 million – ₦25 million per year.
Private individuals who have developed themselves in areas like cybersecurity, software development, programming, etc can make way more than this in a year. It takes resilience to achieve that.
5. Petroleum Engineering
Petroleum Engineering is a branch of engineering which is specialized in the exploration, extraction, production, and management of oil and gas resources. Just like the name implies, it involves drilling, extracting, and processing of crude oil and natural gas from underground reservoirs.
Nigeria is one of the largest oil producing countries in Africa and as such demand high skilled petroleum engineers.
You can work in high paying oil companies like Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Job Opportunities
There are so many job opportunities for petroleum engineers and they include the following:
- Reservoir Engineer: Engineers in this department analyze underground reservoirs to maximize oil and gas extraction.
- Drilling Engineer: This department designs and supervises drilling operations for oil and gas wells.
- Production Engineer: An engineer in this field oversees the production of oil and gas from wells and ensures efficiency.
- Petroleum Geologist: This focuses on the study ofrock formations to locate oil and gas reserves.
- Offshore Engineer works on offshore drilling rigs and platforms.
- Refinery Engineer manages the refining process to convert crude oil into usable products.
- Energy Consultant advises companies on optimizing oil and gas extraction processes.
JAMB Cut-off Mark
The JAMB cut-off mark for Petroleum Engineering is 200. Universities are also allowed to create their ow departmental cut off marks which in most cases go higher than the minimum cut off score.
Best Universities to Study Petroleum Engineering in Nigeria
Some of the top best universities to study Petroleum Engineering in Nigeria include:
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE)
- Rivers State University (RSU)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
Annual Salary Range
Annual salaries for workers in the oil sector in Nigeria is huge one as we all know. However, it all depends on your role, work experience and the company
- Entry-level (0-3 years experience): ₦5 million – ₦10 million per year.
- Mid-level (4-9 years experience): ₦10 million – ₦20 million per year.
- Senior-level (10+ years experience): ₦20 million – ₦50 million per year.
- International Oil Companies (Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, etc.): ₦15 million – ₦60 million per year.
6. Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering is a branch of engineering that focuses on the design and development chemicals used in industries. These engineers are relevant in all industries such as oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food production, and manufacturing which deal with chemicals.
One thing I like about this course is that you gain the opportunity to be employed in a top company such as Dangote Group, NNPC, Shell, Nestlé, Unilever, and Lafarge.
Job Opportunities
There are so many high paying job opportunities for graduates of this course and they include:
- Process Engineer: A process engineer designs and optimizes industrial processes in chemical plants.
- Petrochemical Engineer: An engineer in this field works in the oil and gas sector and refining crude oil into usable products.
- Pharmaceutical Engineer: Just like the name implies, they work in drugs and medical sectors.
- Food Processing Engineer: These engineers works on improving food production, packaging, and preservation.
- Environmental Engineer: – Focuses on pollution control, waste management, and sustainability.
- Materials Engineer: – Develops new materials, including plastics, ceramics, and composites.
- Quality Control Engineer: – Ensures that products meet safety and quality standards.
Chemical engineers are employed in industries such as oil and gas, food production, pharmaceuticals, plastics, cosmetics, cement production, and water treatment. Some of the top employers in Nigeria include Dangote Group, NNPC, Shell, Nestlé, Unilever, and Lafarge.
JAMB Cut-off Mark
The JAMB cut-off mark for Chemical Engineering varies by university but generally falls between 180 and 230.
Best Universities to Study Chemical Engineering in Nigeria
Some of the top best universities for studying Chemical Engineering in Nigeria include:
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
Annual Salary Range
Below is an estimated yearly salary of a Chemical Engineer:
- Entry-level (0-3 years experience): ₦2 million – ₦5 million per year.
- Mid-level (4-9 years experience): ₦5 million – ₦10 million per year.
- Senior-level (10+ years experience): ₦10 million – ₦20 million per year.
- Oil and Gas Sector (highest-paying industry): ₦8 million – ₦30 million per year.
7. Mechatronics Engineering
Mechatronics Engineering is a branch of engineering and a multidisciplinary field that combines mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and control systems to design and develop intelligent machines and automated systems. This simply means that engineers in this field contribute to building robots and the likes.
If you are asking where these engineers can work, they have various job opportunities in various industries like automobile manufacturing, robotics, defense, telecommunications, healthcare, and oil and gas.
Job Opportunities
Below are job opportunities open to Mechatronics Engineers:
- Robotics Engineer
- Automation Engineer
- Control Systems Engineer
- Automotive Engineer
- Aerospace Engineer
- AI and Machine Learning Engineer
- Embedded Systems Engineer
JAMB Cut-off Mark
The JAMB cut-off mark for Mechatronics Engineering varies by university but generally falls between 180 and 230. Some universities go on to set higher departmental cut off marks for this particular course.
Best Universities to Study Mechatronics Engineering in Nigeria
Some of the best universities offering Mechatronics Engineering in Nigeria include:
- Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA)
- Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)
- Afe Babalola University (ABUAD)
- Bells University of Technology
- Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA)
Annual Salary Range
Mechatronics Engineering is a high paying course but it depends on your job experience and the company. Below is an estimated yearly salary for Mechatronics Engineers:
- Entry-level (0-3 years experience): ₦2.5 million – ₦5 million per year.
- Mid-level (4-9 years experience): ₦5 million – ₦10 million per year.
- Senior-level (10+ years experience): ₦10 million – ₦20 million per year.
- Tech and Robotics Startups (high-paying industry): ₦7 million – ₦25 million per year.
8. Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural Engineering is a field of engineering that applies technology and innovation to farming and food production. Just like Mechatronics Engineering, it also combines principles of mechanical, civil, electrical, and chemical engineering to produce foods.
Agricultural Engineers have the opportunity to work in top private or public Agric sectors. For instance, in Nigeria, am Agricultural Engineer can be employed in top companies like Dangote Farms, Olam Nigeria, Flour Mills of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Agricultural Research, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
Job Opportunities
There are several high paying job opportunities for graduates of this course and they include:
- Farm Machinery Engineer
- Irrigation Engineer
- Soil and Water Conservation Engineer
- Food Processing Engineer
- Agricultural Automation Engineer
- Renewable Energy Engineer (Biofuels)
- Agribusiness Consultant
JAMB Cut-off Mark
The general UTME cut-off mark for Agricultural Engineering is 180. Universities also set departmental cut off marks for this course which could be higher than 180.
Best Universities to Study Agricultural Engineering in Nigeria
Some of the top best universities offering Agricultural Engineering in Nigeria include:
- Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO)
Annual Salary Range
Agricultural Engineers earn handsomely, depending on the job and employee.Below is the yearly estimated salary of an Agricultural Engineer in Nigeria:
- Entry-level (0-3 years experience): ₦1.5 million – ₦3 million per year.
- Mid-level (4-9 years experience): ₦3 million – ₦6 million per year.
- Senior-level (10+ years experience): ₦6 million – ₦12 million per year.
- Agri-Tech and Food Processing Companies (high-paying sector): ₦4 million – ₦15 million per year.
9. Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering is another interdisciplinary course that applies engineering principles to medicine and healthcare. Just like the two multidisciplinary courses we mentioned above, Biomedical combines mechanical, electrical, chemical, and computer engineering with biology and medical sciences to develop medical devices and healthcare technologies.
Graduates of this course can work in different sectors in Nigeria and abroad such as hospitals, medical research labs, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and government health agencies.
Job Opportunities
Job opportunities open to graduates who studied this course include:
- Medical Device Engineer
- Clinical Engineer
- Rehabilitation Engineer
- Biomechanics Engineer
- Medical Imaging Engineer
- Tissue Engineer
- Bioinformatics Specialist
In Nigeria, you could be hired in any of the following top corporations: the National Hospital Abuja, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), GE Healthcare, Medtronic, and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
These are high paying agencies in Nigeria to work in.
JAMB Cut-off Mark
The JAMB cut-off mark for Biomedical Engineering is 180. Some top universities like UNILAG ususally have higher departmental cut off mark than 180.
Best Universities to Study Biomedical Engineering in Nigeria
Below is a list of top universities in Nigeria offering Biomedical Engineering:
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
- Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
- Covenant University
Annual Salary Range
Biomedical Engineering salaries estimates in Nigeria are as follows:
- Entry-level (0-3 years experience): ₦2 million – ₦4 million per year.
- Mid-level (4-9 years experience): ₦4 million – ₦8 million per year.
- Senior-level (10+ years experience): ₦8 million – ₦15 million per year.
- International Healthcare Companies (higher pay): ₦10 million – ₦25 million per year.
10. Industrial Engineering
Industrial Engineering is a branch of engineering that combines engineering, mathematics, management, and human factors to reduce waste and enhance performance.
Job Opportunities
Industrial Engineering offers diverse career paths across multiple industries. Some of the top job roles include:
- Process Engineer
- Supply Chain Manager
- Quality Control Engineer
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- Data Analyst
- Lean Manufacturing Specialist
JAMB Cut-off Mark
The JAMB cut-off mark for Industrial Engineering falls between 180 and 220.
Best Universities to Study Industrial Engineering in Nigeria
Some of the top NIgerian universities offering Industrial Engineering include:
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO)
- Covenant University
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
Annual Salary Range
Estimated yearly Industrial Engineering salaries in Nigeria:
- Entry-level (0-3 years experience): ₦2 million – ₦4 million per year.
- Mid-level (4-9 years experience): ₦4 million – ₦8 million per year.
- Senior-level (10+ years experience): ₦8 million – ₦15 million per year.
- Multinational Companies & Oil & Gas Sector: ₦10 million – ₦25 million per year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is the best engineering course in Nigeria? Petroleum Engineering is often considered the best because of the high salaries and job opportunities in the oil and gas sector. You gain opportunities both in Nigeria and outside.
Which engineering is best for the future in Nigeria? Computer Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, and Electrical Engineering are highly promising due to advancements in technology. I highly recommend engineering because it is more of personal development. You can build for yourself and also get employed.
What is the highest-paid engineering course? Petroleum Engineering generally offers the highest salaries because it deals with natural resources like oil. Just like it is said in layman language, oil money is always the highest.
Which engineering is in most demand in Nigeria? Electrical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering are in high demand due to ongoing infrastructure development. Where demand is high, supply is needed the more to equate demand.
Which engineering is hardest? Engineering courses like Mechanical, Electrical, and Petroleum Engineering are considered toughest because it involves calculations and complexity. One mistake made is capable of ruining the rest of the work.
Which engineering has the highest salary in Nigeria? Petroleum Engineering, followed by Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering, offers the highest salaries. Salary from petroleum is called oil money and its always considered highest. Salary from Computer Engineering is always seen as tech funds and in most cases earns way better because they get to work with top tech companies in Nigeria or abroad.
Conclusion
In all these, I strongly going for a course you have passion for because that defines how long and well you can perform in that field.
First step to choosing the best engineering course for yourself is to look out for what you love the most. It helps you create, enjoy and make money from what you love.
