Question 1

What grading system do Nigerian universities use?

Accepted Answer

Nigerian universities accredited by the NUC (National Universities Commission) use a standardised 5-point CGPA grading system. Letter grades are: A (70-100%, 5 points), B (60-69%, 4 points), C (50-59%, 3 points), D (45-49%, 2 points), E (40-44%, 1 point), and F (below 40%, 0 points). The minimum passing grade is E (40%). Degree classification is based on the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) on this 5-point scale.

Question 2

What CGPA is needed for First Class Honours in Nigeria?

Accepted Answer

A CGPA of 4.50 to 5.00 on the NUC 5-point scale is required for First Class Honours. This is the highest degree classification in the Nigerian system. It requires consistently earning A grades (5 points each) throughout the programme. Second Class Upper requires CGPA 3.50-4.49, which is the most common distinction level for competitive graduate employment and postgraduate admissions.

Question 3

What is the minimum pass mark at Nigerian universities?

Accepted Answer

The minimum passing grade at NUC-accredited Nigerian universities is E (40-44%), which earns 1 grade point. Any mark below 40% earns an F (0 points) and does not count toward the credit unit tally for that course. However, for degree classification purposes, a student needs a CGPA of at least 1.00 across all courses to earn a Pass degree.

Question 4

How does the Nigerian 5-point CGPA compare to a US GPA?

Accepted Answer

The Nigerian 5-point scale and the US 4.0 scale are not directly comparable. A Nigerian First Class (CGPA ≥ 4.50 out of 5.00) is broadly equivalent to a US GPA of around 3.7-4.0. A Second Class Upper (3.50-4.49) is roughly equivalent to a US GPA of 3.0-3.7. When applying to US graduate programmes, Nigerian students typically submit credential evaluations through WES or ECE, which convert the CGPA to a US-equivalent GPA.

Question 5

Is the NUC grading system the same at all Nigerian universities?

Accepted Answer

The NUC has standardised the core grading system (the 5-point scale (A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1, F=0) and degree classification thresholds) for all NUC-accredited universities. However, individual universities may have slightly different percentage-to-letter-grade boundaries (some use 70% for A, others use 75%). The CGPA scale and degree classification thresholds are standardised. Non-NUC institutions such as polytechnics use the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) grading system, which differs.

Grade	% Range	Grade Points (of 5)
A	70–100%	5
B	60–69%	4
C	50–59%	3
D	45–49%	2
E	40–44%	1
F	Below 40%	0

Classification	CGPA Range (of 5.00)
First Class Honours	4.50–5.00
Second Class Upper Honours	3.50–4.49
Second Class Lower Honours	2.40–3.49
Third Class Honours	1.50–2.39
Pass	1.00–1.49
Fail	Below 1.00

Nigeria University Grading System

NUC 5-Point Grading Scale

Degree Classification at a Glance

NUC, CGPA, and NYSC, Key Concepts

National Universities Commission (NUC)

CGPA Computation

NYSC and Degree Classification

Explore Nigerian Grading in Detail

Nigerian Degree Classification (Honours)

Related Gradebook Pages

Frequently Asked Questions

Automate NUC grading for Nigerian universities