List of Nigerian universities offering master’s degrees in public health in 2025! Public health is an interdisciplinary field that combines several disciplines, such as epidemiology, medicine, social and behavioral sciences, and environmental health.
In Nigeria, students who pursue a Master’s degree in public health may have a unique chance to examine the complex relationships between these different professions and how they impact public health results.
Nigeria is home to more than 200 million different people, making it the most populated country in Africa. Among the nation’s public health concerns are infectious diseases, malnourishment, and problems with the health of mothers and children.
Nigerian university public health master’s programs are made to give students the abilities and information they need to tackle these issues and significantly improve the nation’s public health results.
Nigerian universities’ Master of Public Health programs are well-known both domestically and abroad for their tough academic requirements and hands-on teaching methodology.
The public health profession offers a wide range of job options for graduates, including epidemiology, research, healthcare management, health policy and advocacy, and academia.
Best List Of Universities Offering Masters In Public Health In Nigeria 2025
Master of Public Health programs are offered by several Nigerian universities. Some of the best universities are listed below:
1. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
2. Bayero University Kano
3. Babcock University
4. UNileniversity of Nigeria
5. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
6. University of Ibadan
7. University of Medical Sciences, Ondo
8. University of Port Harcourt
9. University of Benin
10. University of Jos
11. University of Lagos
12. University of Nigeria, Nsukka
13. University of Ilorin
1. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria: The MPH program at the ABU Distance Learning Center seeks to give students the information and abilities they need to tackle public health issues via practice and research.
These universities’ Master of Public Health (MPH) programs equip students with the knowledge and abilities needed to tackle public health issues in Nigeria and elsewhere.
Typical courses in the MPH program include epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, social and behavioral sciences, health policy and management, and global health.
Graduates of these degrees can work in various fields, including public health research, health policy, advocacy, and program management.
What is Public Health all about?
Public health is the science of preserving and improving people’s and communities’ health. This is accomplished by encouraging healthy living, studying how to prevent illnesses and injuries, and identifying, stopping, and treating infectious diseases.
The primary objectives of public health are to comprehend and address the underlying social, economic, and environmental factors—such as poverty, discrimination, pollution, and access to healthcare services—that influence health outcomes.
Public health practitioners work to increase health equity by reducing health disparities and enhancing health for everyone, irrespective of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or other factors.
Public health also involves research, surveillance, and data analysis to identify patterns and trends in illness and damage, as well as the effectiveness of interventions and health policy.
Public health workers may be employed by government agencies, medical facilities, community-based organizations, or educational institutions, to name a few. Additionally, they could focus on areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, global health, environmental health, health promotion, and medical policy and management.
Federal Universities Offering Public Health in Nigeria
Nigerian federal universities that provide public health programs are listed below:
1. Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO)
2. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)
3. National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)
4. University of Calabar (UNICAL)
State universities offering Public Health in Nigeria
Below is a list of Nigerian state universities that provide public health courses:
1. Abia State University Uturu (ABSU)
2. Bauchi State University, Gadau
3. Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa (BMU)
4. David Nweze Umahi University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State (DNUUMS)
5. Imo State University, Owerri (IMSU)
6. Kwara State University, Malete (KWASU)
7. Taraba State University, Jalingo (TSU)
8. Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara (ZSU)
Private universities that offer Public Health
The following list of private universities offers public health courses:
1. Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State
2. Lead City University, Ibadan
3. Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State
4. Novena University, Ogume, Delta State
5. Legacy University, Okija, Anambra State
6. Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State
7. Fountain University, Osogbo
How many years is a Masters in Public Health in Nigeria?
A Master of Public Health program in Nigeria normally lasts 12 to 24 months, depending on the school and the type of study.
While part-time degrees at some universities may take up to 24 months or more to complete, full-time programs at other colleges can be finished in 12 to 18 months.
Additionally, whether the program involves a research thesis or project—which could take more time to finish—may affect how long it takes.
Checking with the specific university will reveal the length of the Master of Public Health program, as well as the curriculum and prerequisites for admission.
Requirements for Masters in Public Health in Nigeria
Each Nigerian university may have different prerequisites for admission to its Master of Public Health program. Nonetheless, the following are typical prerequisites:
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in a related discipline, such as biology, medicine, nursing, environmental health, or health sciences.
2. At least a Second Class Upper (2:1) grade or its equivalent.
3. An additional benefit could be relevant work experience in a field linked to public health.
4. Completed the application and paid the required amount.
5. Academic records and diplomas from prior degrees
6. Two to three recommendation letters from references in the field or in academia.
7. Your career goals and how a Master of Public Health can help you reach them should be outlined in a personal statement or statement of purpose.
8. Evidence of fluency in English for non-native speakers. The TOEFL, IELTS, and other standardized tests can be used to prove this.
9. Additionally, some schools might demand that candidates pass an interview or entrance exam.
The university or institution you are interested in may have additional prerequisites or have different application processes; therefore, it’s crucial to examine their admission requirements.
Where in Nigeria may a master’s degree in public health be employed?
Nigerians with master’s degrees in public health can find employment in many places, such as:
1. Government Agencies: Graduates in public health can find employment with the Federal Ministry of Health, State Ministries of Health, the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and other public health organizations. Public health officers, health planners, health policy analysts, program administrators, epidemiologists, and health educators are some of the jobs they might have.
2. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Graduates in public health can work with Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and other regional NGOs in Nigeria. They could work in advocacy, health education, or illness prevention and promotion.
3. Research and Academic Institutions: Graduates in public health can find employment in academic and research establishments, including non-profits, universities, and research institutes. In public health research and programs, they could serve as program coordinators, instructors, and researchers.
4. Healthcare Organizations: Graduates in public health can find employment in medical facilities such as clinics, hospitals, and health centers. They could be employed in healthcare administration, community health initiatives, or health education.
5. Private sector: Graduates in public health can find employment in the private sector in fields like consulting, insurance, and pharmaceuticals. They might be employed in fields including workplace health and safety, corporate social responsibility, and health promotion.
All things considered, graduates with a master’s degree in public health who are enthusiastic about enhancing the health of populations and communities in Nigeria may find a wide range of employment options.
What is the salary of a public health professional in Nigeria?
Nigerian public health professionals may receive a range of compensation based on their experience, degree, job function, and employer.
Nigerian public health entry-level employees typically make between ₦100,000 and ₦150,000 per month. However, depending on the work function and experience level, salaries can range from ₦50,000 to ₦500,000 or more.
Nigerian public health personnel typically earn the following monthly salary ranges:
Health Educator: ₦60,000 to ₦150,000
Epidemiologist: ₦150,000 to ₦400,000
Health Policy Analyst: ₦150,000 to ₦500,000
Health Systems Manager: ₦200,000 to ₦600,000
Research Scientist: ₦100,000 to ₦300,000
Health Data Analyst: ₦100,000 to ₦250,000
Notably, the organization, region, and degree of expertise can all have a significant impact on public health personnel’s pay. Additionally, some public health professionals could supplement their income by working in private practice or consulting.
How can I use my degree in public health to earn a lot of money?
Making a lot of money is not usually the main reason for choosing a career in public health, even though it is a fulfilling and significant area. Public health practitioners can, however, raise their earning potential in a few ways:
1. Specialize in a High-Demand Area: Public health practitioners may be able to earn more money if they focus on high-demand fields like epidemiology, biostatistics, health informatics, health policy, or health services administration. These fields call for specific knowledge and abilities that employers value, which can result in better pay.
2. Pursue Advanced Degrees: The income potential of public health practitioners may be higher if they pursue further degrees like a PhD or a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH). greater-level jobs with greater salaries, including those in academia or research, can be attained with these degrees.
3. Work in a High-Paying Industry: Public health practitioners may be able to make more money if they work in lucrative fields like biotechnology, insurance, consultancy, or pharmaceuticals. These fields may pay more and have better benefits, and they frequently call for knowledge in public health.
4. Seek Leadership Positions: Public health practitioners may be able to make more money if they pursue leadership roles like executive or program directors. These roles can offer greater pay and benefits packages and call for strong management and leadership abilities in addition to knowledge of public health.
Which field of public health pays the most in Nigeria?
There are many different specializations in the broad field of public health, and pay varies greatly based on the function, organization, and region. Nonetheless, the following public health specialties typically have better earnings in Nigeria:
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Environmental Health Science
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Disaster Management & Emergency Preparedness
- Health Services Administration
1. Health policy and management: This field’s experts concentrate on creating and putting into practice plans and policies that would enhance the healthcare system. They could be health planners, health policy analysts, or managers of health systems. The monthly salary in this sector might vary from ₦150,000 to ₦500,000 or more, contingent on the organization and expertise level.
2. Epidemiology: Epidemiologists create plans to stop and manage the spread of disease by researching the trends and causes of illness in populations. They could be employed by the government, academic institutions, or medical facilities. Depending on the company and degree of experience, salaries in this sector can range from ₦150,000 to ₦500,000 per month or more.
3. Health informatics: Health informatics specialists employ technology and data to enhance healthcare outcomes and delivery. They might be employed by consulting businesses, government organizations, or hospitals. The monthly salary in this sector might vary from ₦150,000 to ₦400,000 or more, contingent on the organization and expertise level.
4. Environmental health: Environmental health specialists work to detect and manage environmental problems, such as hazardous waste, water pollution, and air pollution, that can have an impact on human health. They could be employed by consulting businesses, government organizations, or research institutes. The monthly salary in this sector might vary from ₦150,000 to ₦350,000 or more, contingent on the organization and experience level.
How many years to study Public Health in Nigeria?
Depending on the level and study style, a public health degree program in Nigeria may take a variety of lengths of time. The following are typical lengths of time for public health initiatives in Nigeria:
Bachelor’s Degree: In Nigeria, a public health bachelor’s degree normally takes four to five years to finish, depending on the school.
Master’s Degree: In Nigeria, a master’s degree in public health normally takes one to two years to finish, depending on the school and study style.
Doctoral Degree: In Nigeria, obtaining a doctorate in public health, such as a PhD or DrPH, might take three to five years or longer, depending on the school and the subject of the study.
