Understanding grades and degree classes in Nigerian universities
By Eduvora · Updated 12 October 2026
Most Nigerian universities describe your performance in three layers: a score in each course, a letter grade and grade point for that score, and finally your CGPA, which determines your degree class. Here is how they connect.
Important: exact cut-offs differ between universities and sometimes between faculties. The figures below are commonly used values for illustration. Always confirm them in your school's student handbook.
From score to letter grade
Your lecturer combines continuous assessment and the exam into a score out of 100. A commonly used conversion on the 5.0 scale is:
| Score | Grade | Grade point | Usual meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 to 100 | A | 5 | Excellent |
| 60 to 69 | B | 4 | Very good |
| 50 to 59 | C | 3 | Good |
| 45 to 49 | D | 2 | Fair |
| 40 to 44 | E | 1 | Pass |
| 0 to 39 | F | 0 | Fail |
Some schools set the pass mark differently, so do not assume a 40 is a pass everywhere.
From grades to CGPA
Each grade point is multiplied by the course's credit units, and the totals across all semesters give your CGPA. We walk through the arithmetic in our GPA and CGPA guide.
Common degree classes
A widely used classification on the 5.0 scale is:
| CGPA range | Degree class |
|---|---|
| 4.50 to 5.00 | First Class Honours |
| 3.50 to 4.49 | Second Class Honours (Upper Division) |
| 2.40 to 3.49 | Second Class Honours (Lower Division) |
| 1.50 to 2.39 | Third Class Honours |
| 1.00 to 1.49 | Pass |
Notice the bands are fairly wide in the middle. A CGPA of 3.46, for example, falls in the Second Class Lower band, only 0.04 below the Upper band. Small improvements in a few high-unit courses can move you across a boundary.
Academic probation and withdrawal
Many schools place a student on probation when their CGPA drops below a certain minimum, often around 1.0, at the end of a session. Staying below it for another period may lead to withdrawal or a change of programme. The exact thresholds are set by each school's senate, so read the rules early rather than finding out late.
Carryovers and resits
If you fail a compulsory course you usually have to repeat it. Policies on how repeated attempts are recorded, and whether the old grade stays on your record, vary. Ask your department how it works, because it affects how you plan your units.
Why one course can matter so much
Because CGPA is weighted by units, a single grade in a 4-unit course shifts your result more than the same grade in a 2-unit course. Early in your programme, when your total units are small, one poor result moves your CGPA a lot. Later it moves it less, because it is spread across a bigger total. That is why a strong start is valuable, and also why a bad semester can still be recovered with steady work afterwards.
How to use this knowledge
- Know your target class and the CGPA it needs.
- Track your CGPA every semester instead of waiting until final year.
- Weigh your effort by units. Courses with more units move your CGPA the most.
- Do not neglect easier courses. General studies courses carry units like any others.
Planning around your courses is easier with a timetable. See our weekly study timetable guide. Your official grades and classification are always those issued by your university.