Contrary to the public opinion about science courses being the most lucrative, most of Nigeria’s most underrated courses are in arts. If you’re an art student about to start your tertiary studies or if you’re looking to switch careers and  thinking “what are the best art courses to study in nigeria”, here are twenty of the best art courses to study in Nigeria in 2024 :

Mass Communication

This course is a hot cake  and one of the most competitive art courses in Nigeria.  With a degree in Mass communication, you can works in journalism, multimedia publishing, human resource management, communications, advertising, among others. Because of how important these jobs are in every industry in the world, you have a continuous supply of work through the years. The best universities to study this are: University of Lagos, University of Ilorin, University of Benin, Covenant University and Redeemer’s University.

Fine & Applied Art

What better way to tell everyone you studied arts than to become an artist? The options here are endless.  From visual arts, textile designs to sculpture and ceramic arts, your artistry flourishes. The one perk of picking a degree here is that you don’t need an employer. You can sit at home, make art and make your money. The best universities to study this are: University of Nigeria, University of Benin, University of Jos, Ignatius Ajuru University, and Niger Delta University.

Law

As much as it seems like the law market is oversaturated, it is still one of the top art courses in universities. Asides the honour and bragging rights that come with the many years of studying and getting certified, some lawyers actually make a huge chunk of money and you don’t have to enter the court of law to do it. The best universities to study this are: University of Ilorin, University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Afe Babalola University, and Babcock University.

International Relations

This course sounds very sophisticated, and it probably is. It’s the right fit if  you’re looking to work in communications, foreign affairs and diplomacy. The best universities to study this are: University of Ilorin, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Ahmadu Bello University, Achievers Univerisy and Caleb University.

[ad]

Music

Some of the richest Nigerians in the arts and entertainment sector are musicians. While they didn’t study music, they had the talent and worked with many graduates of music. Studying music helps amplify your talent and improve your chances of success in the entertainment space. You could work as a trainer, choreographer, producer, engineer or label executive with some of the biggest names in entertainment across the globe. The best universities to study this are: University of Lagos, Covenant University, Ajayi-crowther university, Delta State University and Obafemi Awolowo University. 

Sociology

This course is criminally underrated but has a higher chance of securing you employment than the more popular courses. It is linked to governance, psychology, research, media, management and criminology. With a bachelors in sociology you can  work anywhere in the world. The best universities to study this are: University of Ilorin, University of Port-Harcourt, University of Calabar, Baze University and Benson Idahosa University.

Performing Arts 

If you love drama, live sets and music, this is the one for you.  If you get too tired of the screens, you can work in screenplay, scriptwriting, film production and marketing. You can also merge this with design and work as a set designer, costume and location designer or cinematographer. The best universities to study this are: University of Nigeria, Bayero University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Gregory University and Bowen University.

Management

This should be higher up on the list of art courses, but ranks lower because a lot of managers today didn’t study arts. Management however, cuts across every field, so  job opportunities are guaranteed. The best universities to study this are: University of Lagos, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Univerisity, University of Ilorin, American University of Nigeria and Covenant University.

English Language

In the list of art courses in Nigeria in 2024, this one is evergreen. Written and audio communication are a part of industry relations and the specialists are often graduates of English language. Diplomacy and ministerial appointments are also on the table. The best universities to study this are: University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Covenant University, Mountaintop university and University of Ilorin. 

French

This course enjoys the same benefits as English language with the added advantage of less competition. You get access to jobs in international relations and media, even outside Nigeria. If foreign prospects fail, you still get to become a teacher. The best universities to study this are: Abia State University, Ambrose Alli University, University of Ilorin, and Lagos State University.

Economics

If you’re in the arts and you’re not looking to study for talent, then Economics works. This opportunity allows you to take a dive into the financial world and work in any industry. You can work as an analyst, researcher, teacher and auditing executive. The best universities to study this are: University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Covenant University, Lead City University, and Bayero University.

[ad]

Psychology

Asides from helping you navigate relationships and trauma, psychology can help you put food on the table. With mental health being in the limelight, more people are seeking out professional help for psychological problems and who is making money from this new development? Psychologists. Even if therapy doesn’t bring money, you can work in human resource management, business research, academics, sports  and rehabilitation services. The best universities to study this are: University of Ibadan, Evangel University, Covenant University, Lagos State University and the University of Nigeria.

History and International relations

If you’re great with dates and communication, this course might be what you need. It is somewhere between popular and underrated. Graduates of history and anthropology, international relations and any other minors that are attached to it can start careers in research, teaching, communications and media. The best universities to study this are: Lead City University, Adekunle Ajasin University, Adeleke University, Abia state university and University of Ilorin.

Philosophy

With a degree in philosophy, you can work as an operations manager, business analyst and strategist, user experience manager, content writer, researcher, and product designer. The best universities to study this are: University of Ibadan, University of Calabar, University of Nigeria, Mountaintop University and Covenant University. 

Theatre Arts

This ranks much lower than performing arts because of the competition and is often confused to be the same. It is a top art course in Nigeria for people who like entertaining in front of audiences. If you love the set and theatre life, put the application in today. The best universities to study this are: University of Calabar, Bayero University, University of Benin, Afe Babalola University, and Gregory University.

Linguistics

Lights, camera, action – those are words you could be hearing for the rest of your life if you study linguistics. You would likely end up as a reporter or TV host. However, prospects exist in foreign affairs, public relations and academics. The best universities to study this are: University of Lagos, University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, Igbinedion University and Fountain University.

[ad]

Art education

Perhaps your passion is not in practising art, but rather helping to build the next generation of artists. While you’ll become a tutor, it could be in academics, entertainment or media. You could also foray into research. The best universities to study this are: Tai-solarin University of Education, Lagos State University of Education, University of Nigeria, Afe Babalola University and University of Ilorin.

Religious studies

Either you sign up for Islamic studies or Theology, you become a hotcake who can work with religious institutions, government bodies, and academics. Since religious bodies are abundant in Nigeria, it shouldn’t be hard to get set up. The best universities to study this are: University of Ilorin, Madonna University, McPherson University, Ahmadu Bello University, and Nnamdi Azikwe University.

Hospitality and Tourism

This course is self-explanatory and there is no scarcity of jobs here because Nigeria is full of tourist attractions. If this doesn’t work out, you can always travel to countries with the biggest tourist opportunities. You could find work as a tour manager, tourist guide, hotel and hospitality manager, air host(ess), and as a specialist in training. The best universities to study this are: Imo State University, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Federal University Wukari, Trinity University and Capital City University.

Yoruba

This should be your last line of action if all else fails seeing as it ranks very low on the list of art courses. The career opportunities here are mostly in academics and media. 

A useful read is: Study Tips Every Nigerian Student Needs.