Universities offering Criminology in Nigeria in 2026 (and entry requirements)

Nigeria has some of the top universities offering Criminology in Africa. Since the course is not popular on the continent, people usually compete to get into the few top tertiary institutions that offer it. Nigeria's best Criminology universities offer programs focusing on crime prevention, security, and justice.

Key takeaways

• Criminology is the scientific study of crime. It is an interdisciplinary field in both behavioural sciences and social sciences.
• This includes the study of crime causes, crime prevention methods, and the examination of law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
• A criminology degree opens doors to careers such as Loss Prevention Officer, Private Investigator, Criminal Profiler, and others.

List of universities offering Criminology in Nigeria in 2026

Most degree-awarding universities in Nigeria do not offer Criminology programmes. Therefore, research schools that offer this course and apply promptly to increase your chances of admission. Here are the best universities offering criminology in Nigeria in 2026.

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10. University of Jos (UNIJOS)

• Address: Bauchi Rd, Jos 930103, Plateau, Nigeria
• Year founded: 1975
• Phone: +234 808 445 1232

The University of Jos is Africa's centre of academic excellence. It started as a Campus of the University of Ibadan in November 1971 and admitted its first pre-degree students in January 1972. Here are the requirements for a degree in Criminology & Security at this school:

• A minimum of 5 credits in Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE/GCE), a maximum of two (2) sittings for Ordinary Level Credits.
• Degree (First Class/Second Class Upper) in related fields.
• Direct entry candidates should buy UNIJOS' Direct Entry form through JAMB or the UNIJOS Portal.
• A minimum of Merit Pass in the National Certificate of Education (NCE), National Diploma (ND), and other Advanced Level Certificates.
• Meet other qualifications acceptable to the Senate of the University.
• Satisfy the Faculty/Departmental entry requirements.

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9. Federal University, Duste (FUD)

• Address: Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria
• Year founded: 2011
• Phone: +234-8024225737, +234-8036217558, +234-7061381773, +234-7038801792

The Federal University Duste was established on February 9, 2011. The school is among the best BSc and MSc Criminology programs in Nigerian universities. FUD attracts a diverse student body of local and international scholars because it cultivates learning, develops knowledge, and fosters the free exchange of ideas.

This institution offers marketable programmes, including a BSc. Criminology & Security Studies. Two vital admission requirements for those planning to pursue this degree at FUD are:

• At least 5 credit passes in your O'Level result (WAEC and NECO), including English and Mathematics.
• At least a score of 200 and above in your JAMB result.

8. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)

• Address: Federal University, Oye-Ekiti
• Year founded: 2011
• Phone: +234 816 539 6888

The Federal University Oye-Ekiti equips students with innovation skills for a positive national transformation. The school has 11 faculties, each having multiple courses. One of this school's most marketable courses is the BSc. Criminology & Security Studies. FUOYE requirements for this degree programme include:

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• You must have reached 16 years by October 31 of the year of admission.
• Have at least 5 credit passes in your O'Level result (WAEC/NABTEB or NECO), including English and Mathematics (not more than two sittings).
• Meet FUOYE's Criminology Cut-off Mark.
• Choose the correct JAMB Subject Combination.
• Have a good JAMB, WAEC, and Post UTME Score.

7. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)

• Address: 1515, P.M.B, Ilorin, Nigeria
• Year founded: August 1975
• Phone: +234 805 087 8080

The University of Ilorin was one of the seven institutions of higher learning established by a decree of the federal military government in August 1975. The school pioneers academic excellence and stability in Nigeria. It has six colleges and nine faculties. Entry requirements for Criminology & Security Studies in UNILORIN are:

• You must be 16 years old by October 31 of the year of admission.
• You need at least 5 credit passes in your O'Level result (WAEC and NECO), including English and Mathematics (not more than two sittings).
• Choose the correct JAMB Subject Combination.
• Score UNILORIN JAMB cut-off mark.
• Have a good JAMB, WAEC, and Post UTME Score.

6. Kaduna State University (KASU)

• Address: Kabala Coastain, Kaduna 800283, Kaduna, Nigeria
• Year founded: May 2004
• Phone: +234 7057701336

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Kaduna State University was established on May 21, 2004, under the Kaduna State Law. It has seven faculties, over 39 departments, and a library of more than 17,000 volumes of books. Some of KASU's requirements for Criminology & Security Studies admission are:

• A minimum of 5 SSCE credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Economics, and any two Arts or Social Science subjects (not more than two sittings).
• Score the minimum UTME/JAMB cut-off mark.
• Fulfill KASU's senate, faculty, and departmental requirements.

5. Bayero University, Kano (BUK)

• Address: Bayero University, Kano PMB, Kano, Nigeria
• Year founded: 1962
• Phone: +234 806 749 5891

Bayero University Kano was established in 1975. It evolved from a small college running Advanced Level training programmes to one of the most respected universities offering Criminology in Nigeria. To study Criminology at Bayero University Kano, meet these requirements:

• Have at least 5 credit passes in your O'Level result (WAEC/NABTEB or NECO), including English and Mathematics (not more than two sittings).
• Be 16 years old by October 31 of your admission year.
• Meet BUK's Criminology Cut-off Mark.
• Choose the correct JAMB Subject Combination.
• Have a good JAMB, WAEC, and Post UTME Score.

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4. National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)

• Address: Lagos, Nigeria
• Year founded: 1983
• Phone: +234 812 847 8915

The National Open University of Nigeria stands out among universities offering Criminology in Nigeria. It is one of the largest tertiary institutions in the West African sub-Saharan region.

The school tailors programmes to make them accessible, flexible, and available to students at all times. Some of NOUN's requirements for B.Sc. Criminology & Security Studies include:

• Admission is available for 100-level candidates.
• A minimum of 5 credits in O-Levels.
• Compulsory subjects for O-Level are Mathematics and English Language
• Any other relevant courses in O-Levels.
• A Levels with a minimum of a C grade in most subjects.

3. Chrisland University, Owode

• Address: Abeokuta 110104, Ogun State, Nigeria
• Year founded: 2015
• Phone: +234 813 576 2586

Dr. Winifred Awosika established Chrisland University on September 17, 2015. The school was to be established ten years earlier, but there was a slight delay. The main criminology requirements at this school are:

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• Five (5) O-Level credit passes or equivalent, including English Language, Mathematics, Economics, and any two (2) Arts or Social Sciences UTME requirements.
• Two (2) A Level passes in Economics and any one of these: Mathematics, Statistics, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Accounting, Business Management, History, and Government (Direct Entry requirement).

2. Western Delta University, Oghara (WDU)

• Address: Western Delta University, Oghara 331101, Delta, Nigeria
• Year founded: 2007
• Phone: +234 803 396 3203

Western Delta University is a private university located in Oghara, Delta State. The school was established in 2007 and approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The WDU requirements for BSc. Criminology & Security Studies include:

• Possess credit passes in five (5) subjects, English Language, Mathematics, and any of these: Economics, Government or Geography, and any other subjects (no more than two sittings).
• Have an acceptable UTME/JAMB cut-off score.
• Meet other WDU's senate, faculty, and departmental requirements.

1. Lead City University, Ibadan (LCU)

• Address: Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
• Year founded: 2005
• Phone: 0815 331 8708, 0815 331 8709, 0815 331 8763

LCU is one of the private universities offering criminology in Nigeria in 2026. The school is locally and internationally known as one of the best universities offering Criminology in Nigeria.

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All Lead City University's academic programmes are quality assured in Nigeria and by overseas external examiners. One of LCU's requirements for a BSc in Criminology and Security Studies is:

• GCE O/L, SSCE/NABTEB/ NECO, or equivalent credit level pass in five (5) subjects, including the English Language and Mathematics, obtained at not more than two sittings.

What are the courses under criminology and security studies?

Courses under criminology and security studies generally include criminal law, criminological theories, forensic science, and criminal investigation techniques. They equip students with skills to analyse crime patterns, understand criminal behaviour, and apply justice system processes.

Which university is the best to study criminology in Nigeria?

Bayero University Kano (BUK) is often regarded as one of the top institutions for studying Criminology in Nigeria, due to its robust curriculum, alongside reputable institutions such as the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN). Other top choices include the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and the Federal University Dutse (FUD), which are renowned for their solid criminology and security studies programmes.

How many years is a course in criminology in Nigeria?

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A criminology degree course typically takes 3 to 4 years to complete in Nigeria.

What is required to study criminology?

General requirements and subjects needed to study Criminology in Nigeria are:

The O-Level requirements

A minimum of 5 credits in:

• English Language
• Mathematics
• Economics
• Any two subjects from Arts or Social Sciences (not more than two sittings for History, Civics or Geography)

Direct Entry requirements

• Two "A" Level passes in Government, Economics, Sociology, Geography, Civics, History, and any other (Hausa or IS) IJMB with nine points and above.
• National Diploma in Criminal Justice, Law, or Public Administration, with passes at lower credit or higher grade.
• A first Degree from any recognised university within or outside Nigeria.

What is the JAMB combination for Criminology?

JAMB/UTME subject combination for Criminology is Economics, English Language, and any subject from this list:

• Government
• History
• Geography
• Literature in English
• French
• Hausa
• Christian Religious Studies/Islamic Studies

How many years is a criminology course in Nigeria?

BSc. Criminology & Security Studies is a four-year bachelor's degree program. However, you can do it for three years at UNILORIN or other universities offering Criminology in Nigeria if you get a Direct Entry admission without JAMB.

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Does UNILAG offer Criminology?

UNILAG is the leading state university in Nigeria that offers criminology.

Is Criminology studied at UNILAG?

Criminology is not widely studied in Nigeria. Hence, UNILAG is among the few tertiary institutions offering this course.

Universities offering Criminology in Nigeria have a history of producing the best African professionals in this industry. These schools heavily invest in research and practice to equip scholars with world-class skills for the job market.

Legit.ng also shared a detailed list of federal universities in Nigeria and their school fees for the next academic session. Several tertiary institutions offer your preferred degree programmes.

Compare tuition fees for all federal universities in Nigeria to which you wish to join to find the most affordable one. Also, consider factors like getting on-campus or off-campus accommodation when calculating the extra expenses you will incur.

Source: Legit.ng