The Medical Sciences faculty in Nigerian universities
Medical Sciences faculties at NUC-accredited Nigerian universities cover the full spectrum of human health professions — from Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) and Dental Surgery (BDS) at the apex, through Pharmacy (BPharm), Nursing Science (BNSc), and the wide set of allied health sciences (Physiotherapy, Radiography, Medical Laboratory Science, Optometry, Anatomy, Physiology, Public Health, Medical Rehabilitation, Environmental Health). Each programme has its own regulatory body — MDCN for Medicine and Dentistry, PCN for Pharmacy, NMCN for Nursing, COREN for Biomedical Engineering — and each programme produces graduates with clear professional registration pathways.
The faculty is the most competitive in Nigerian university admission. Medicine and Surgery at top federal universities typically requires a competitive aggregate above 280 (out of 400 UTME plus 100 Post-UTME). Dentistry, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine sit similarly competitive. Allied health sciences (Nursing, Physiotherapy, Medical Lab Science, Radiography) are slightly less competitive but still well above the institutional cut-off for most schools.
Major programmes covered
- Medicine and Surgery (MBBS): 6-year programme, regulated by MDCN. Top federal universities (UI, UNILAG, OAU, ABU, UNN, UNIBEN) have the highest competitive aggregates.
- Dentistry (BDS): 6-year programme, also under MDCN.
- Pharmacy (BPharm): 5-year programme, regulated by PCN. Pipeline into hospital pharmacy, retail (HealthPlus, MedPlus), industrial pharmacy (Emzor, May & Baker, GSK), and international migration.
- Nursing Science (BNSc): 5-year programme regulated by NMCN. The highest migration-volume career — Nigerian-trained nurses move to UK, Saudi Arabia, Canada, USA in large numbers.
- Physiotherapy (BSc/BPT): 5-year programme regulated by MRTB. Strong international demand.
- Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS): 5-year programme regulated by MLSCN.
- Radiography (BSc): 5-year programme regulated by RRBN.
- Optometry (OD): 6-year programme regulated by Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board.
- Veterinary Medicine (DVM): 6-year programme regulated by VCN.
- Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology: 4-year preclinical science programmes that ladder into postgraduate medical research, teaching and pharmaceutical careers.
- Public Health (BPH), Medical Rehabilitation, Environmental Health Science: emerging programmes with strong international demand.
JAMB UTME subject combinations
The unifying pattern: all medical sciences programmes require the four core science subjects plus English. Specifically, the five SSCE and four UTME subjects almost universally must include:
- English Language (compulsory).
- Mathematics.
- Biology.
- Chemistry.
- Physics.
For Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine and Optometry, all five are typically required. For Nursing, Physiotherapy, Radiography and Medical Lab Science, the standard 4 UTME combination is English + Biology + Chemistry + Physics (Mathematics is sometimes substituted). Always check the JAMB Brochure entry for the specific institution.
Top Nigerian universities for Medical Sciences
Long-standing strong institutions, by reputation and graduate outcome:
- University of Ibadan (UI) — College of Medicine is Nigeria\'s oldest. Strongest MBBS reputation.
- University of Lagos (UNILAG) — College of Medicine attached to LUTH; strong clinical exposure.
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) — Ile-Ife College of Health Sciences.
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) — College of Medicine at Enugu campus.
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) — large medical school with strong rural-clinical exposure.
- University of Benin (UNIBEN), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), University of Calabar (UNICAL), University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Bayero University Kano (BUK): federal universities with full Colleges of Medicine.
- Lagos State University (LASU), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ambrose Alli University (AAU): top state universities for Medicine.
- Babcock University, Bingham, Bowen, Madonna, Igbinedion, Afe Babalola: top private universities for Medicine and the allied health sciences.
Career outcomes and earning patterns
Medical sciences produce the most consistent high-earning graduates in the Nigerian university system. Indicative early-career compensation:
- Medical Officer (HOI / SHO): ₦200,000–₦400,000 per month in federal hospitals; ₦300,000–₦600,000 in private hospitals.
- Hospital Pharmacist: ₦150,000–₦300,000 in starting roles; ₦400,000+ in senior hospital pharmacy.
- Registered Nurse: ₦100,000–₦200,000 in starting roles; doubles or triples with UK / Saudi / Canada migration.
- Physiotherapist: ₦150,000–₦300,000 starting; strong international migration multiplier.
- Medical Laboratory Scientist: ₦150,000–₦280,000 starting.
International migration is the most significant compensation lever — Nigerian-trained doctors, nurses and physiotherapists who relocate to UK or Gulf can earn 5x to 10x their Nigerian salary within 3 years of registration overseas.
Related on academics.ng
Browse all medical sciences courses in this faculty. Confirm subject combinations for your target programme. Test your admission probability for Medicine, Pharmacy or Nursing. Check current cutoff marks for medical sciences across institutions.