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Earning a First Class degree in Nigeria is one of the highest academic achievements a student can aim for. It doesn’t just prove that you have mastered your course material — it also opens doors to scholarships, competitive job opportunities, and even postgraduate admission offers abroad.

Many students think getting a First Class is only for “geniuses,” but that’s far from the truth. With the right habits, strategies, and mindset, anyone can work their way to the top of their class.

In this guide, we’ll break down the five essential things you must do to graduate with a First Class in Nigeria — plus practical steps, real examples, and answers to common questions students ask.

1. Attend Lectures Regularly and Participate Actively

Why Class Attendance Matters

In most Nigerian universities, lectures are not just about reading slides — they are where you get:

Explanations of complex topics in simple terms.
Clues about likely exam questions.
Insights from the lecturer’s personal experience.

Missing lectures repeatedly means you’re missing those insider tips that can give you an edge.

How to Make the Most of Your Lectures

Sit in front rows to improve concentration and reduce distractions.
Avoid relying on classmates’ notes entirely — they may miss key points.
Ask questions when you don’t understand.

Example: A 400-level Engineering student in UNILAG once shared how his lecturer often emphasized certain phrases like “This is very important.” These phrases usually pointed directly to exam topics.

2. Master Time Management

The Problem of Poor Planning

University life in Nigeria is full of time traps:

Social events
Sports
Unplanned visitors
Procrastination

Without a structured plan, days slip away and exam season becomes a nightmare.
Practical Time Management Tips

Create a Study Timetable — Allocate specific hours for reading, assignments, and relaxation.
Use the 2–3 Hour Rule — Study in blocks of 2–3 hours with short breaks.
Prioritize Tasks — Focus on urgent and important assignments first.


Pro Tip: Keep your timetable flexible to adjust for sudden events like union meetings or power outages.

3. Take Notes and Review Them Immediately

Why Note Review Works

Studies show you retain more information if you review notes within 24 hours. This turns short-term memory into long-term understanding.

Smart Note-Taking Strategies

Use abbreviations and symbols during lectures for speed.
After class, rewrite your notes in full sentences.
Highlight or underline key definitions and formulas.

Example: Medical students often rewrite their lecture notes into “summary books” for quick revision during MB exams.

4. Build Good Relationships With Lecturers and Coursemates

The Power of Academic Networking

Lecturers can recommend extra reading materials.
Coursemates can share tips on tricky topics or assignments.
Senior students can guide you on which topics to focus on for each lecturer.

How to Network Without Appearing Fake

Be genuinely interested in learning, not just in grades.
Offer to share resources and help others.
Be respectful in all interactions, both in class and online.

5. Practice With Past Questions

The Secret Weapon

In many Nigerian universities, past questions repeat — sometimes word-for-word. This isn’t laziness; it’s often because certain concepts are core to the course.

How to Use Past Questions Effectively

Gather at least 5 years of past papers for each course.
Attempt them under timed conditions.
Review your answers and identify weak areas.

Example: A Law student at UNN revealed that past questions helped her score 85% in Constitutional Law because the lecturer reused a 2019 essay question.

Bonus Tips for Securing a First Class

Stay Healthy
Eat balanced meals, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep.
Poor health can undo months of preparation.
Limit Distractions
Reduce time spent on social media during critical academic periods.
Reward yourself after study sessions instead of during them.
Stay Consistent


A First Class is not built in one semester — it’s a cumulative effort over four to six years.

Common Mistakes That Stop You From Getting a First Class in Nigeria

Even the brightest students sometimes fail to achieve a First Class because of avoidable mistakes. If you want to reach the top of your academic game, you must be aware of these traps and avoid them.

1. Procrastination

Putting off assignments, readings, and exam preparation until the last minute is a sure way to lower your grades.
Solution: Use a daily task list and break work into smaller, manageable chunks.

2. Ignoring Continuous Assessment (CA)

In Nigerian universities, CA can make up 30–40% of your total score. Many students underestimate this.
Solution: Treat every test, assignment, and quiz as important as the final exam.

3. Poor Note-Taking

Some students rely solely on textbooks and neglect lecture notes. This is dangerous because many lecturers set questions directly from class discussions.

Solution: Take detailed notes in your own words and update them immediately after class.

4. Lack of Exam Strategy

Some fail not because they don’t know the material but because they mismanage time in the exam hall.
Solution: Practice timed mock exams and learn how to answer according to marks allocation.

5. Neglecting Health

Late-night cramming, skipping meals, and overconsumption of energy drinks can hurt your brain performance.

Solution: Maintain a balanced lifestyle — sleep well, eat right, and exercise.

Scholarship Opportunities for First Class Graduates in Nigeria

Graduating with a First Class doesn’t just earn you respect — it can unlock incredible local and international opportunities.

1. Federal Government Scholarships

Each year, the Federal Ministry of Education offers overseas and local scholarships to high-performing students, with First Class graduates often prioritized.


2. PTDF and NNPC Scholarships

Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) scholarships are highly competitive, but First Class graduates have a significant edge.

3. Commonwealth Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarship is one of the best routes for fully funded postgraduate studies abroad. A First Class degree greatly increases your chances.

4. Chevening and Erasmus Mundus Scholarships

These are international programs that seek academic excellence and leadership potential — qualities many First Class graduates demonstrate.

5. University Graduate Assistantships

Some Nigerian universities automatically offer teaching or research assistant roles to their best graduates, with monthly stipends and tuition waivers for postgraduate study.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it possible to move from a 2.2 to a First Class in Nigeria?
Yes, but it requires consistent A grades from that point onward. The earlier you start, the easier it will be.

2. Does attending a private university make it easier to get a First Class?
Not necessarily. While resources may differ, the same study habits apply.

3. How many hours should I study daily to get a First Class?
Quality matters more than quantity. A focused 2–4 hours daily can outperform an unfocused 8 hours.


Getting a First Class in Nigeria is achievable for any determined student. Attend lectures, manage your time wisely, take and review notes, network with your academic community, and master past questions. These five pillars, when applied consistently, can transform your academic journey.

Source; https://liveschoolnews.com/if-you-do-these-5-things-first-class-is-yours-in-nigeria/

....and pray!






Please take a moment to write a quality post with at least 40 characters.
This will make the forum more interesting for everyone.

Nothing Concern Me, as a Blogger with first class, what is important is - Na Where Man Dey Work, Na There, that man, dey see him own food, take chop.

First class ke
E still dy reign?
Don’t go and learn handwork

This alone will make average student to have first class:

In Nigerian universities, CA can make up 30–40% of your total score. Many students underestimate this.
Solution: Treat every test, assignment, and quiz as important as the final exam.

Someone will just jump to chatgpt and start copying jargons. For this Nigeria where many lecturers are sadists. If you can't get strong As through your first year in all your courses and build on that every semester personally, forget all those motivations.
Dey play

Nemesis0147:
First class ke
E still dy reign?
Don’t go and learn handwork

21. Please spell words correctly when you post, and try to use perfect grammar and punctuation.
22. Don't ask Nairaland members for contact details (email, phone, bbpin) or investments.

First class is achievable and first class students should also be able to solve societal problems not just academic alone.

Getting first class in Nigeria is very challenging but in America and Europe student with even 'zero' class from Nigeria will bag first class very easily.

Nice write up.

All these tips not only apply for University but also life success generally

I put it to you that the author of this article is not a first class graduate.

Subject to crazy and wicked lecturers.

Please take a moment to write a quality post with at least 40 characters.

Hiiiny:
Getting a First Class in Nigeria is achievable for any determined student. Attend lectures, manage your time wisely, take and review notes, network with your academic

Now the question is


Did you have a first class?


Or you are a motivational speaker?

Hehe see bunch of jokers. Do u think arab and white slave masters wanted u people to think for urselves by building your schools, mosques and churches.

Using past questions is the most appropriate,Nigerian lecturers do not upgrade and update their old time religious mimeograph or copy-copy textbooks everywhere,leaving the system teaching and learning in bondage.

Paper first class that can't produce took pick.

After graduation.

If I were the minister of education,I will make sure no-one emplosy a first class student...they have to put their brain to some kind of use such that it would benefit the country.

Wetin be say u go dey come out with first class,u go dey search for work.

paulkit:
Source; https://liveschoolnews.com/if-you-do-these-5-things-first-class-is-yours-in-nigeria/

Every dept in university has a folder that if u follow it well u will finish with first class.

Good post! I hope it gets to the target audience.

If it eventually does, it will then zero down to whoever finds it relevant.

To some, First class na choice... To others, it is stress... To others, it is destiny... Then To many others, nothing...

If u dont have good sponsor just forget getting a first class.

Nemesis0147:
First class ke
E still dy reign?
Don’t go and learn handwork

This is how to know a lazy student. So having a first class or striving to have it will stop you from getting a hand work?
Won't that hard for first class make you to learn the handwork so easily and smoothly?

We did all these and we still did not have first class

Lol... Be playing.

Just pray one lecturer is not suspecting you of dating the girl he wants to smash because he saw you guys together once. That's when you'll know all these your guidelines are only applicable in institutions where things are normal, mostly not within Nigeria.

Gbadebo19:
All these will work only in private and state universities.
You don't know some federal universities in Nigeria sha.
There are some departments where giving first class to students is a taboo.

OAU grads and other fed unis established around the same time. Shey I lie?

Building relationship with lecturers is vital, however, lecturers should stop giving fellow students (senior colleagues) papers to mark.
It should be abolished!

A student can make sense attempting a question, and one senior student marking the paper will just fail him or her

Mabuggi88:
This is how to know a lazy student. So having a first class or striving to have it will stop you from getting a hand work?
Won't that hard for first class make you to learn the handwork so easily and smoothly?

and who told you that I’m a student?
Oga I’m a certified biochemist and nothing come out

If you do all that and you're brain dead, forget first class.

To have first class, you must first get brain for book.

No worry yourself. People did it and still got Pass

No be Nigeria we dey? Guy, I agree with you oo. But money still join

Beautifully crafted masterpiece
You really did your research

Not that hogwash copy and paste stuff most bloggers are known for.