How To Become A Professor In Nigeria
Becoming a professor in Nigeria is a significant achievement. Professors are the highest-ranking academic positions in Nigerian universities, and they are responsible for teaching, research, and mentoring students at the highest level.
Professors play a vital role in advancing knowledge and shaping the future of the country.
If you are interested in becoming a professor in Nigeria, you need to be aware of the requirements for the position and the steps you need to take to achieve your goal. In this blog post, we will discuss how to become a professor in Nigeria in 2023.
Requirements to Become a Professor in Nigeria
The minimum requirements to become a professor in Nigeria are:
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A PhD in the field you wish to teach
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At least 10 years of teaching experience at a tertiary institution
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A strong track record of research and publication in peer-reviewed journals
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Evidence of scholarly leadership, such as book chapters and conference presentations
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Evidence of administrative experience
In addition to these minimum requirements, some universities may have additional requirements for professors, such as:
- A specific number of years of experience as a senior lecturer
- A certain number of research grants awarded
- A certain number of students supervised to completion
Steps to Becoming a Professor in Nigeria
Here are the steps you need to take to become a professor in Nigeria:
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Earn a PhD. The first step to becoming a professor in Nigeria is to earn a PhD in the field you wish to teach. A PhD is a research degree that demonstrates your expertise in your field. You can earn a PhD from a Nigerian university or from a university abroad.
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Gain teaching experience. Once you have earned your PhD, you need to gain teaching experience at a tertiary institution. This experience can be gained as a lecturer or as a senior lecturer. The more teaching experience you have, the more competitive you will be when applying for professor positions.
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Conduct research and publish papers in peer-reviewed journals. Professors are expected to be active researchers and to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals. Peer-reviewed journals are academic journals that are reviewed by other experts in the field before publication. Publishing your research in peer-reviewed journals demonstrates your expertise in your field and your commitment to advancing knowledge.
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Demonstrate scholarly leadership. Professors are also expected to demonstrate scholarly leadership. This can be done by publishing books and book chapters, giving conference presentations, and serving on editorial boards of academic journals. Demonstrating scholarly leadership shows that you are a leading expert in your field and that you are committed to the advancement of your discipline.
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Gain administrative experience. Some universities may require professors to have administrative experience before they are promoted to the rank of professor. Administrative experience can be gained by serving as a departmental head, dean of a faculty, or vice chancellor of a university. Gaining administrative experience demonstrates your leadership skills and your ability to manage complex projects.
Tips for Increasing Your Chances of Becoming a Professor in Nigeria
Here are some tips for increasing your chances of becoming a professor in Nigeria:
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Network with other academics. Networking with other academics is a great way to learn about job openings and to get your foot in the door. Attend academic conferences and meetings, and connect with other academics online.
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Publish in high-impact journals. Not all peer-reviewed journals are created equal. Some journals are more prestigious than others. Publishing in high-impact journals will give your research more visibility and will make you more competitive when applying for professor positions.
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Get involved in professional organizations. Involvement in professional organizations is a great way to demonstrate your commitment to your field and to build relationships with other academics. Consider joining the Nigerian Academy of Science or the Nigerian Universities Commission.
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Win research grants. Winning research grants demonstrates your ability to secure funding for your research and to manage complex projects. There are a number of research funding agencies in Nigeria, such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the National Research Fund.
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Supervise students to completion. Supervising students to completion demonstrates your ability to mentor and guide students to success. As a professor, you will be expected to supervise graduate students and to help them complete their dissertations.
FAQ About How to Become a Professor in Nigeria
What are the minimum requirements to become a professor in Nigeria?
The minimum requirements to become a professor in Nigeria are a PhD in the field you wish to teach, at least 10 years of teaching experience at a tertiary institution, a strong track record of research and publication in peer-reviewed journals, and evidence of scholarly leadership.
