The Unseen Rigor of a Nigerian First-Class Degree

In a compelling post on the social media platform X, Ugochukwu Madu, a Nigerian scholar with a First-Class degree from Ebonyi State University (EBSU) and a Distinction from a U.S. public institution, ignited a vital discussion about the unparalleled rigor of Nigeria’s public university system. Madu, who also achieved a perfect 4.00 GPA in PhD coursework at an R1 U.S. university, passionately argues that a Nigerian First-Class degree should never be overshadowed by a Distinction earned abroad. His insights, grounded in personal experience and striking statistics, highlight the extraordinary challenges and academic excellence fostered by institutions like EBSU. Let’s explore why the Nigerian First-Class degree, as championed by Madu, demands global respect.

In Nigeria’s public universities, earning a First-Class degree requires a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.50 or above on a 5.0 scale—equivalent to a consistent 70% or higher across all assessments. This benchmark is notoriously difficult to achieve. Madu shares a striking example: in 2019, EBSU graduated 1,924 students across all campuses, yet only six, including himself, earned a First-Class degree. That’s just 0.31% of the graduating class, a testament to the exclusivity of this honor.

This scarcity is not unique to EBSU. Data from 2018/2019 shows that across 36 Nigerian universities, only 2,288 out of 127,023 graduates (1.8%) achieved First-Class honors. Compare this to the UK, where in 2021/22, 32% of students in England and 35% in Scotland earned First-Class undergraduate degrees, with similar proportions receiving Distinctions at the postgraduate level. At large institutions like the University of Manchester or University College London, hundreds or even thousands of students receive high honors annually, a stark contrast to Nigeria’s rigorous standards.

Madu emphasizes the grueling nature of Nigerian assessments. “Nigerian professors are very tough graders,” he notes on the social media platform X, explaining that exams are often designed with a dual purpose: to test knowledge and to push students to the brink of failure. He vividly describes how “understanding a question is part of the answer,” as the complexity of exam questions demands both intellectual depth and strategic thinking. A 70/100 score, which might seem modest abroad, is a high-stakes achievement in Nigeria, where a single misstep can derail a First-Class aspiration.

The challenges extend beyond academics. Public universities like EBSU grapple with overcrowded classrooms, limited resources, and disruptions from Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strikes, as seen in 2019 and 2020. Madu reflects that up to 50 of his EBSU peers could have earned Distinctions in UK or U.S. institutions but fell short of Nigeria’s “extremely high” First-Class bar due to these systemic hurdles. This sentiment resonates across the social media platform X, where users frequently note that Nigerian graduates with Second-Class or even Third-Class degrees often excel abroad, securing Distinctions in less demanding systems.

Madu’s academic journey exemplifies the global competitiveness of Nigerian graduates. After earning his First-Class degree at EBSU, he went on to achieve a master’s with Distinction at a U.S. public institution and a perfect 4.00 GPA in PhD coursework at an R1 university. His success underscores a key point: the intensity of Nigeria’s academic environment equips students to thrive internationally. In the U.S., a 70% score is typically a C, but in Nigeria, it’s the threshold for an A—a standard that prepares students like Madu for excellence on the global stage.

This rigor contributes to the growing presence of Nigerian students in international education. In 2021/22, Nigeria ranked third among international student groups in the UK, with 44,195 students, and 14th in the U.S., contributing significantly to the economy. On the social media platform X, users often highlight how Nigerian graduates’ resilience and intellectual capacity make them “better-than-average performers” abroad, a direct result of the challenges they overcome at home.

Madu’s post on the social media platform X is a rallying cry to respect the Nigerian First-Class degree. “I will not sit back and watch anyone underrate a Nigerian First-Class degree,” he declares, emphasizing the “intensity of the fire” he endured to be among EBSU’s six First-Class graduates in 2019. He argues that while Distinctions abroad are commendable, they are often more attainable, with “almost everybody” earning them in some systems. In contrast, the Nigerian First-Class degree is a rare and hard-won achievement, reflecting unparalleled dedication.

For stakeholders in higher education—policymakers, educators, and employers—Madu’s perspective underscores the need to recognize the Nigerian system’s unique strengths. Despite its challenges, including infrastructural deficits and a “bad government,” as Madu notes, Nigeria’s academic rigor produces graduates who excel globally. This is evident in their contributions to fields like technology, medicine, and academia worldwide.

Ugochukwu Madu’s powerful narrative on the social media platform X challenges us to rethink how we value academic achievements. The Nigerian First-Class degree, exemplified by Madu’s journey and EBSU’s 0.31% First-Class rate in 2019, is a badge of extraordinary resilience and intellectual prowess. As Nigerian graduates continue to shine on the global stage, stakeholders must celebrate the rigor that shapes them. Madu’s words ring true: “The rigor choke, and that’s part of the reasons why Nigerians excel everywhere they go.” Let’s honor these graduates for the fire they’ve walked through and the brilliance they bring to the world.