Graduating with First Class in Nigeria isn’t just about scoring good grades—it’s about entering the academic hall of fame. You know, the league where parents beam with pride, employers raise their eyebrows, and scholarship bodies slide into your inbox. But how do you actually pull it off? If you’re wondering how to graduate with First Class, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive deep, CampusLife-style, into what it takes.
What Exactly is First Class?
Let’s clear the air first. A First Class degree means you’ve maintained an impressive CGPA over the course of your university stay—typically:
- 4.5–5.0 on a 5.0 scale, or
- 3.5–4.0 on a 4.0 scale
Some universities throw in their own little twists (because why make life easy?), so always double-check your school’s grading system. But in general, First Class = 70% and above consistently.
Grading Systems in Nigerian Universities
Understanding the grading system is like understanding the rules of a game—if you don’t know how scores are kept, you won’t know how to win. Nigerian universities typically operate using either a four-point or five-point CGPA scale, and which one your school uses can make a huge difference in how your grades translate into honours. While the five-point scale is now more widely adopted, some older systems or specific faculties still work with the four-point model. Always confirm your university’s policy to avoid surprises. Also, note that some institutions convert percentages differently—for instance, 70% might be an A in one school and a B+ in another. Confusing? Yes. But that’s Nigeria for you. The bottom line: know your system, understand what counts, and tailor your academic strategy accordingly.
Four-Point Scale (used by some universities):
- First Class: CGPA 3.5–4.0
- Second Class Upper: CGPA 3.0–3.49
- Second Class Lower: CGPA 2.0–2.99
- Third Class: CGPA 1.0–1.99
Five-Point Scale (more common now):
- First Class: CGPA 4.5–5.0
- Second Class Upper: CGPA 3.5–4.49
- Second Class Lower: CGPA 2.4–3.49
- Third Class: CGPA 1.5–2.39
So yes, while First Class sounds shiny, the road to getting there is built on numbers, percentages, and lots of jollof-fueled all-nighters.
The Secret Sauce: Start Strong, Stay Consistent
To graduate with First Class is no easy thing. Your first year is like laying the foundation of a house—get it wrong, and everything else may wobble. The earlier you set your First Class goal, the better. 100-level courses usually carry heavy credit units, so high grades here push your CGPA up like magic.
Practical Tips for Graduating with First Class
Alright, no fluff—but definitely depth. Let’s get into the trenches of what really makes a First Class student tick. We’re not talking vibes and luck here; we’re talking strategy, hustle, and a little bit of caffeine-fueled madness. Below are time-tested, headache-tested, senior-approved habits, hacks, and helpful advice that can help you rise to the top of your class and stay there:
1. Read Every Day (Yes, Even Sundays)
Make studying a daily habit. Use your course outline as a guide and don’t just “read” to mark attendance—aim to understand.
2. Attend Lectures Religiously
You may think you can catch up with slides later. Don’t. Lecturers drop hints, explain confusing topics, and sometimes say things that end up word-for-word in exams.
3. Take Notes Like a Nerd (A Proud One)
Good notes save lives. Especially during exam season. Write your own notes, don’t just photocopy your roommate’s scribbles.
4. Slay Continuous Assessments (CAs)
CA scores can be up to 30% of your final grade. That’s almost a third of the battle already won before the exam.
5. Do Your Assignments Like Your Life Depends on It
Lecturers remember students who take their work seriously. Sometimes they reward that seriousness.
6. Practice Past Questions
Many Nigerian lecturers have a deep love for recycling—exam questions, that is. Practice past questions like they’re prophecy.
7. Use Google and YouTube as Your Sidekicks
Struggling with a topic? YouTube tutorials and academic blogs can turn “I don’t get it” into “I’m teaching it to my friends.”
8. Join Study Groups That Actually Study
The keyword is “study.” Not gossip, not gist. Group work helps with retention and keeps you accountable.
9. Make Friends with Smart Seniors
They’ve been there, done that, and probably have the past questions and survival tips you need. Befriend them (and mean it).
10. Calculate Your CGPA After Every Semester
It helps you track progress and set new goals. There are online CGPA calculators that make life easier.
11. Minimize Distractions
Yes, your phone is calling, but TikTok won’t help you pass CHM102. Set specific times for scrolling. And avoid that “just one episode” trap on Netflix.
12. Take Care of Your Health
Sick students don’t study. Eat right, exercise, sleep (at least sometimes), and hydrate. Your brain will thank you.
13. Avoid Carryovers Like the Plague
A carryover can sink your CGPA faster than you think. Stay on top of your game. If you fail, bounce back fast.
Benefits of Graduating with First Class
Why bother? Well, here’s what First Class can get you:
- Prestige (because “I graduated with First Class” never gets old)
- Scholarships (both local and international)
- Job Advantage (employers notice)
- NYSC Preference (premium PPA placements)
- Graduate Assistant Roles (and a foot in the academic door)
Also, you become that cousin everyone suddenly wants to ask school advice from.
Real Stories: It’s Been Done Before
Take Akindele Daniel Davies from UNILAG. He graduated with a perfect 5.0 CGPA. That’s right—no B in sight. The moral? It’s not magic. Just commitment, strategy, and maybe skipping a few owambes.
And there are student who bags First Class here in Federal University Of Technology, you can be one of them.
Final Words from CampusLife
If you want to graduate with First Class, treat university like a job. Show up. Put in the hours. Ask questions. Take feedback. Rest, but don’t slack. Remember: consistency over hype.
First Class isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it’s also not reserved for geniuses. It’s for the disciplined, the strategic, and the focused.
And hey, even if you don’t graduate with First Class, striving for it will likely land you in Second Class Upper with great opportunities. That’s a win too.
So, dear student, the next time someone says “na only book you sabi,” smile—and keep winning.
