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Top 10 Less Competitive Courses To Study In Nigerian Universities 2025/2026

Choosing the right course to study in university is one of the most important decisions that you will ever make. In Nigeria, students are often faced with a wide range of choices, from highly competitive fields like medicine and law to less popular options that may not attract as much attention. But while the more competitive courses seem appealing, they come with their own set of challenges, including the pressure to perform well in a tough, crowded environment. On the other hand, choosing a less competitive course can offer you a unique opportunity to stand out, grow at your own pace, and build a successful career.

If you're looking for courses that are less competitive but still promising, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we will explore the top 10 less competitive courses to study in Nigerian universities in 2025/2026. These courses are not only manageable in terms of competition, but they also hold a great deal of potential for your future. Let’s dive in and find out which courses could be your perfect match!

1. Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the oldest and most important fields in the world. In Nigeria, agriculture plays a huge role in the economy, and it has been growing in importance over the past decade. Many students overlook agriculture because they see it as outdated or old-fashioned, but that’s not the case anymore.

Nigerian universities offer a variety of agriculture-related programs, such as Agronomy, Animal Science, Soil Science, and Agricultural Engineering. These programs are less competitive compared to courses like medicine or law, yet they provide students with the chance to explore a field that is highly relevant to the Nigerian economy.

Agriculture is crucial for food production, employment, and poverty alleviation in Nigeria. With the growing demand for food and the government's emphasis on boosting the agricultural sector, graduates of agricultural courses are in high demand. Plus, you could even run your own farm or venture into agri-business, which offers excellent opportunities for entrepreneurship.

2. Library and Information Science

In today’s digital world, the role of libraries and information management has expanded. Many people don’t realize how important Library and Information Science (LIS) is to society. This course trains students in the management and organization of information, which is crucial in sectors like education, healthcare, government, and business.

A degree in Library and Information Science is much less competitive than many other courses, but it offers strong career prospects. You’ll be prepared to work as a librarian, information manager, data analyst, or archivist, with opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Plus, many universities offer flexible LIS programs that can easily be pursued alongside other career interests.

As Nigeria’s education system becomes more reliant on digital resources, the need for professionals in this field continues to grow. As an LIS graduate, you can work in libraries, research centers, schools, or even large corporations that need to manage their information systems effectively.

3. Environmental Science

If you care about the environment and want to make a positive impact, Environmental Science could be the perfect course for you. This field focuses on studying the environment and finding sustainable ways to protect and preserve it.

Environmental Science programs are relatively less competitive in Nigerian universities, which makes them an attractive option for students who are interested in tackling pressing environmental issues like climate change, deforestation, and pollution. As an environmental science graduate, you could work in areas like environmental consulting, waste management, renewable energy, and sustainability programs.

With the growing concern about the environment in Nigeria and around the world, this field offers great career opportunities. You can work with NGOs, government agencies, international organizations, and even private companies that focus on sustainability.

4. Home Economics

Although Home Economics is often overlooked by students, it’s an incredibly practical and useful course that equips you with life skills in areas like nutrition, child development, family budgeting, and hospitality management.

Home Economics is one of the less competitive courses offered in Nigerian universities, making it a great option for students who enjoy practical work and want to pursue careers in education, food management, or even entrepreneurship. With this degree, you can start your own business as a caterer, chef, or home management consultant.

Additionally, this field also offers career opportunities in the education sector, as schools and universities are always in need of teachers for home economics programs.

5. Theater Arts

Theater Arts is a creative course that involves the study of performing arts, drama, dance, and other forms of entertainment. Although this field is often seen as niche, it can lead to rewarding careers in film, television, theater production, and even music.

In Nigerian universities, Theater Arts is less competitive than other courses like law or medicine, but it still offers great opportunities for those who are passionate about performance and the arts. Graduates can work as actors, directors, producers, playwrights, or theater administrators. You can also choose to become a drama teacher, scriptwriter, or work in the entertainment industry in other capacities.

Nigeria has a thriving film and theater industry, and talented graduates of theater arts can easily break into this fast-growing sector. If you have a flair for creativity and performance, this could be the right path for you.

6. Linguistics

Linguistics is the scientific study of language, including its structure, meaning, and usage. While not as competitive as courses like law or engineering, linguistics offers interesting career paths for students who enjoy studying languages.

Studying linguistics will allow you to explore the structure of languages, language acquisition, phonetics, semantics, and sociolinguistics. It’s a great course for students who are curious about how languages work, how they evolve, and how they influence culture and society.

Graduates of linguistics can work as language researchers, translators, interpreters, or even language teachers. With Nigeria being a country rich in languages and cultures, linguistics graduates can contribute significantly to preserving and promoting Nigeria's diverse linguistic heritage. You could also work with international organizations, media companies, or translation services.

7. Tourism and Hospitality Management

The Tourism and Hospitality Management course is designed to prepare students for careers in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. This is a field that focuses on customer service, travel planning, hotel management, and the overall management of the tourism industry.

Tourism and Hospitality Management is less competitive than many other fields, and it offers students the chance to enter a growing industry in Nigeria. With Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and booming tourism sector, there are a wide variety of opportunities available for graduates.

You could work in hotels, resorts, travel agencies, event management companies, and even the government’s tourism departments. Whether you want to become a hotel manager, travel consultant, tour guide, or event planner, this course provides the foundation for a successful career.

8. Education

Education is a versatile field that prepares students to become teachers, education administrators, or curriculum developers. While many students rush to pursue high-demand courses like engineering or law, the education sector always needs qualified and passionate individuals.

In Nigerian universities, education courses are generally less competitive, making it easier for students to gain admission. A degree in education allows you to work as a teacher at various levels of the education system, from primary to tertiary institutions. Additionally, you could work in educational planning, development, or policy-making.

As Nigeria continues to focus on improving its education system, there will always be a demand for educators who are well-trained and passionate about teaching. This is a field where you can make a meaningful impact on society and contribute to the development of future generations.

9. Social Work

Social Work is an important field that focuses on helping individuals, families, and communities improve their well-being. It’s a course that attracts fewer students, but it is incredibly rewarding and offers significant opportunities for those interested in making a positive difference in society.

Social work involves understanding human behavior, social systems, and helping vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Graduates can work in various settings, including hospitals, schools, government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations.

As Nigeria continues to face social challenges like poverty, healthcare access, and education, social workers are needed to provide support and solutions to those in need. This is a career that allows you to help people directly and be a force for good in your community.

10. Fashion Design

The fashion industry in Nigeria is growing rapidly, and Fashion Design is one of the less competitive courses that has a great deal of potential. If you have a passion for creativity and design, fashion could be the right course for you.

Nigerian universities offer fashion design programs that teach students how to create, design, and manage clothing and accessories. This field combines art, business, and technology, and it’s an exciting option for students who want to make their mark in the fashion industry.

As a fashion design graduate, you can work as a designer, stylist, fashion consultant, or entrepreneur. The fashion industry in Nigeria is vibrant, with many opportunities for talented designers to showcase their work on both local and international stages.

Conclusion

Choosing a course to study in university is a big decision, but it doesn’t always have to be about competition. While many students gravitate toward well-known courses, the less competitive options mentioned above offer unique opportunities for growth, personal development, and career success. These courses are not only easier to gain admission into, but they also offer paths to fulfilling and rewarding careers.

Whether you're interested in agriculture, education, fashion, or social work, there are countless opportunities waiting for you. Don't be afraid to explore less popular options—they may be the best choice for you in the long run.

As you prepare for university in 2025/2026, take the time to explore these less competitive courses and discover a field that aligns with your interests and aspirations. Good luck on your educational journey!