List Of Universities Offering Petroleum Engineering In Nigeria 2025/2026

Nigeria is one of the world’s leading oil-producing nations, and its economy has long been shaped by the petroleum industry.

With vast reserves of crude oil and natural gas, Nigeria has become a hub for exploration, production, and processing activities that require highly skilled professionals.

One of the key disciplines that support this sector is petroleum engineering.

Petroleum engineering is a field that combines principles of engineering, geology, and physics to help extract and manage oil and gas resources.

Students who choose this discipline are trained to solve technical challenges related to drilling, production, reservoir management, and the optimization of recovery methods. Given Nigeria’s status as an oil-rich nation, the demand for petroleum engineers remains strong, making it a sought-after career path.

This article is designed to help prospective students, parents, and educators understand the landscape of petroleum engineering in Nigeria. We will look at what petroleum engineering entails, why studying it in Nigeria can be a wise decision, the admission process, and—most importantly—a detailed list of universities offering petroleum engineering for the 2025/2026 academic session.

What Is Petroleum Engineering?

Petroleum engineering is an engineering discipline that focuses on the exploration, extraction, production, and management of oil and gas resources.

It involves the application of scientific and engineering principles to design, develop, and optimize processes that recover hydrocarbons from subsurface reservoirs.

The field is a blend of theory and practice that requires a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

Core Areas of Study

Students in petroleum engineering programs typically study subjects such as:

Drilling Engineering: Understanding the design and operation of drilling equipment, well construction, and drilling fluid management.
Reservoir Engineering: Learning how to evaluate and model reservoir performance, estimate reserves, and plan recovery strategies.
Production Engineering: Focusing on optimizing the production process, including artificial lift systems, well stimulation, and production optimization techniques.
Petroleum Geology: Gaining insights into the geological formation of oil and gas reservoirs and understanding the rock and fluid properties that influence extraction.
Petrophysics: Analyzing physical and chemical properties of reservoir rocks and fluids using modern laboratory and field techniques.
Process Engineering and Refining: Although more common in chemical engineering, some aspects of refining and processing are also included, particularly when studying the downstream sector.

Skills and Qualities Developed

A degree in petroleum engineering not only provides technical knowledge but also hones various soft skills, including:

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Problem-Solving: The ability to approach complex technical problems with practical solutions.
Analytical Thinking: Interpreting data from field measurements and laboratory tests to make informed decisions.
Teamwork and Communication: Working effectively with multidisciplinary teams that may include geologists, chemists, and business professionals.
Adaptability: Adjusting to the rapidly changing technologies and methods in the oil and gas industry.

Why Study Petroleum Engineering in Nigeria?

1. Nigeria’s Oil-Rich Legacy

Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is a major driver of its economy. With abundant reserves and a long history of exploration and production, the country has built a robust infrastructure to support the industry.

As the nation continues to modernize and expand its oil production capacities, the need for well-trained petroleum engineers grows stronger every year.

2 Career Opportunities and Industry Growth

Graduates with a degree in petroleum engineering have a wide array of career opportunities. They may work with multinational oil companies, indigenous exploration firms, government agencies, or even in consulting roles. Some of the roles available to petroleum engineers include:

Drilling Engineer
Reservoir Engineer
Production Engineer
Well Intervention Engineer
Field Development Engineer
Research and Development (R&D) Specialist

Moreover, the Nigerian government and private investors are continually investing in the energy sector, promising ample internship and job opportunities. This makes the field not only intellectually rewarding but also financially attractive.

3 Global Demand for Energy Professionals

Even though the world is gradually shifting toward renewable energy, oil and gas remain critical components of the global energy mix. Petroleum engineers in Nigeria benefit from the country’s strategic position in the global oil market, and many graduates go on to work internationally.

4 Technological Advancements

The oil and gas industry is characterized by rapid technological changes—from advanced drilling techniques to digital oilfield management. Nigerian universities offering petroleum engineering strive to incorporate the latest technologies into their curricula, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to face modern industry challenges.

Admission Requirements and How to Apply

While specific requirements may vary by institution, most Nigerian universities offering petroleum engineering will have similar basic criteria. These generally include:

O’Level Results: A minimum of five credit passes in subjects including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and English Language.
UTME Score: A competitive score in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board).
Post-UTME Screening: Many universities conduct post-UTME screenings or interviews to further assess candidates’ suitability for the program.
Direct Entry (if applicable): For candidates with advanced qualifications (such as A-levels or ND/HND in engineering), some universities offer direct entry into the second year of the program.

List of Universities Offering Petroleum Engineering in Nigeria 2025/2026

Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)
University of Benin (UNIBEN)
University of Ibadan (UI)
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU)
Bayero University Kano (BUK)
Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU)
Igbinedion University (IUO)
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
Rivers State University (RSU)
University of Uyo (UNIUYO)
Madonna University (MADONNA)
Niger Delta University (NDU)
Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU)
Federal University of Petroleum Resource (FUPRE)
Covenant University (CU)
Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (Formerly Ondo State University of Science and T (OAUSTECH)
Afe Babalola University (ABUAD)
Federal University, Ndufu-alike (FUNAI)
Gregory University, Uturu (GUU)
First Technical University, Ibadan (TECH-U)

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Career Prospects After Graduation

Graduating with a degree in petroleum engineering from any of these institutions opens up a variety of career paths, including:

Drilling Engineer: Planning and executing drilling operations safely and efficiently.
Reservoir Engineer: Managing oil and gas reservoirs to maximize recovery and optimize production.
Production Engineer: Overseeing day-to-day production processes and implementing improvements.
Field Engineer: Working on-site at oilfields to troubleshoot and maintain equipment.
Consultant/Project Manager: Providing expert advice on project feasibility and production optimization.
R&D Specialist: Engaging in innovation and technology development for improved extraction methods.

The oil and gas industry in Nigeria and globally continues to offer competitive salaries and career growth opportunities for petroleum engineers.