The public administration course is one of the most popular courses in most Nigerian universities, offered under the social science faculty in some public and private universities in Nigeria but mostly offered under the management faculty.
The public administration course is divided between the social science and management edges because, in reality, it encompasses the features of the two disciplines.
The public administration course is designed to train individuals and students on the best and most effective way to manage government positions, organizations, and institutions that deal with the public.
The role of public administration can’t be underemphasized in Nigeria, as they have helped shape Nigeria’s political dimension by Playing a vital role in governance, policy implementation, and national development.
Are you interested in studying a public administration course at any Nigerian universities? Then you are in the right place, as this article will explain in detail what public administration entails and other relevant information, like the admission requirements, career opportunities, course opportunities, course outline, and the international standards.
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What is public administration?
Public administration is the art and science of managing public programs and policy stemming from government organizations or institutions, ensuring their effective execution for the best of society without exception of a group; it can also be described as the study of government decision-making.
The Scope of Public Administration
● Government Operations
● Policy Regulations
● Policy Formulation
● Human Resources Management
● Public Finance
● Local government administration
● Development Planning
● Public Service Ethics
Public Administration Course Overview in Nigeria
Every country’s higher learning institution differs, and that is why the diversity should be studied, especially for a course like public administration, which is essential for the proper running of government.
The public administration course is studied literally across the tiers of higher learning institutions in Nigeria, and what this means is that the course can be studied
In universities, polytechnics, and even colleges of education if they are education-based, this shows the flexibility of the course to blend into any structure.
Public Administration courses are also available at a wide range of education levels, and these include ND, HND, B.Sc, PGD, M.Sc, and Ph.D.
The duration of the public administration course in Nigeria differs based on the level of education and can be best explained below:
●ND-2 Years
●HND-2 Years
● B.Sc.—4 Years
● Direct Entry—3 years
● M.Sc.—2 years
● Ph.D.—3-5 years
Admission Requirements for Public Administration in Nigeria
Public Administration admission requirements are almost the same across all Nigerian universities, from the UTME requirement to the institution requirement.
UTME Requirement
● English Language
● Mathematics
● Government
● Economics
Polytechnic/College of Education/University Requirement
Five O-level credits in five O-level subjects, which include mathematics, English language, government, and economics.
Direct Entry Requirements
● ND/HND in public administration
● Credit in O-level subjects
● IJMB or JUPEB qualification
Note: Not all higher learning institutions in Nigeria accept direct candidates for the public administration course in Nigeria.
International Study Requirements
● High School Diploma to study B.Sc. in Public Administration
● B.Sc. in Public Administration to study master’s
● SAT/IELTS
● Strong background/knowledge in social science subjects
Core Courses in Public Administration
Courses in public administration might differ slightly in most Nigerian universities, but the most used across all Nigerian universities are
Year 1 Courses
● Introduction to Public Administration
●Nigerian Government and Politics
● Principles of Economics
●Sociology
● Introduction to Management
Year 2–Year 4 Courses
● Administrative Law
● Public Finance
● Human Resource Management
● Public Policy Analysis
● Comparative Public Administration
● Local Government Administration
● Development Administration
●Organizational Behavior
● Research Methods
The courses above are what you will come across during the duration of your study in any Nigerian university when studying a public administration course.
International Curriculum Touch
International courses in public administration differ from Nigeria’s own and can vary in large proportion due to different countries’ syllabi, but the most used courses and curriculum include
● Public Sector Innovation
● E-Governance
● Global Public Policy
● Ethics and Accountability
Skills you will gain from studying public administration
The purpose of studying public administration is to be equipped with skills that will be useful in the real world, and the skills gained from studying the public administration course include
● Leadership and management
● Policy analysis
● Public speaking
● Research skills
● Budget planning
● Conflict resolution
● Decision-making
● Administrative competence
The above skills can be used even outside the public administration career field and can extend to analyzing economic situations, and they can be used locally and internationally.
Career Opportunities for Public Administration Graduates in Nigeria and Internationally
● Federal Civil Service
● State Civil Service
● Local Government Officer
● Nigerian Customs
● Immigration Service
● Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
● Banks
● Universities
● Consulting firms
International Opportunities
● United Nations Officer
● African Union Officer
● ECOWAS Officer
● World Bank
● International NGOs
● Foreign public service roles
Top Nigerian Universities Offering Public Administration
FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES
● University of Lagos (UNILAG) – Lagos State
● University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) – Enugu State
● Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) – Kaduna State
● University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) – FCT
● Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) – Osun State
● University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) – Kwara State
● University of Benin (UNIBEN) – Edo State
● University of Calabar (UNICAL) – Cross River State
● University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) – Borno State
● University of Jos (UNIJOS) – Plateau State
● Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) – Anambra State
● National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) – Nationwide (Distance Learning)
STATE UNIVERSITIES
● Lagos State University (LASU) – Lagos
● Ekiti State University (EKSU) – Ekiti
● Delta State University (DELSU) – Delta
● Rivers State University (RSU) – Rivers
● Benue State University (BSU) – Benue
● Imo State University (IMSU) – Imo
● Kogi State University (KSU) – Kogi
● Ebonyi State University (EBSU) – Ebonyi
● Nasarawa State University (NSUK) – Nasarawa
● Kaduna State University (KASU) – Kaduna
PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES
● Babcock University – Ogun State
● Covenant University – Ogun State
● Bowen University – Osun State
● Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) – Ekiti State
● Igbinedion University – Edo State
● Redeemer’s University – Osun State
● Lead City University – Oyo State
● Caleb University – Lagos State
● Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) – Osun State
● Benson Idahosa University – Edo State
International University
● Harvard Kennedy School
● University of Birmingham
● University of Manchester
● University of Toronto
The above universities can be very competitive and very difficult to gain admission to because of the standard, so it is best advisable you explore other international universities to save time and finance, but the above-mentioned universities are the best globally.
Cost of Studying Public Administration Course in Nigeria
Studying public administration in Nigeria is quite cheap compared to international study, and also the cost of studying public administration depends on whether you are studying at state, federal, or private universities or polytechnics or colleges of education.
Federal universities can range from N40,000 to N80,000; state universities can range from N120,000 to N200,000; and private universities can range from N300,000 to N1,500,000, while polytechnics and colleges are far cheaper than most universities in Nigeria.
Note: The estimation of the cost does not include feeding, accommodation, or others; it is just a pure estimation of the school fees alone.
Professional Certifications for Graduates
Just like ICAN for accounting students, there are professional bodies for public administration students also, and there are:
● Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM)
● Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM)
● Project Management Professional (PMP)
● Certified Public Manager (CPM)
International Public Administration certifications
Frequently Asked Questions
● Is Public Administration a good course in Nigeria?
Public Administration is a good course to study in Nigeria, but the pandemic of unemployment in Nigeria can hinder employment for a short time.
● How many years does it take to study public administration?
Public Administration typically takes a period of 4 years in universities.
● What is the JAMB cut-off mark for the public administration course?
The common general cut-off mark for the public administration course in polytechnics, colleges of education, and universities is 160-200.
Conclusion
The public administration course is a good course to study, but the dimension of employment is changing in Nigeria, and that is why the focus should not be on the course but on the skills that will be gained from the public administration course, like public speaking, policy analysis, and others, which can be used in other fields.
If you love anything pertaining to governance and how well the society should be operated from a governance approach, then the public administration course is truly a good fit for you.
Adepoju Olamilekan is a blogger and student of economics at Adekunle Ajasin who has written for many educational blog across the country. His passion and love for blog and creating as found him always writing to provide solutions to all Nigeria Students