Course at a glance
| Degree awarded | Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng) — B.Sc/B.Tech at some universities |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 years (includes SIWES industrial training), then NYSC |
| Faculty / college | Faculty of Engineering / Technology |
| Regulatory body | Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) |
| Professional body | Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) |
| UTME subjects | Use of English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry |
| Competitiveness | Competitive and in demand |
On this page
- What Computer Engineering is about
- A brief history of the discipline
- What you will study
- Why study Computer Engineering & who it suits
- Careers & where graduates work
- Salary outlook in Nigeria
- Where it’s offered
- Is it a good course?
- Skills you’ll gain
- Licensing, professional bodies & further study
- How to get in (UTME requirements)
- Practise the UTME subjects free
- Related & alternative courses
- Frequently asked questions
What Computer Engineering is about
Computer Engineering bridges hardware and software — designing computer systems, embedded systems and the electronics that make computing devices work, from microprocessors to networks.
A brief history of the discipline
It grew at the meeting point of electrical engineering and computer science as computers became central to everything. Demand is high in Nigeria’s technology, telecoms and electronics sectors.
What you will study
You study electronics and digital logic, computer architecture, microprocessors and embedded systems, programming, computer networks and signals — combining hardware and software, with SIWES and a project.
Why study Computer Engineering & who it suits
Engineering suits students who are strong in Mathematics and Physics, enjoy solving practical problems and building things, and are persistent and precise. Interest in both electronics/hardware and programming makes this a great fit.Careers & where graduates work
Graduates work as hardware and embedded-systems engineers, in networks and telecoms, robotics and automation, electronics manufacturing, and also in software roles — with strong crossover into the wider tech industry.
Salary outlook in Nigeria
Computer Engineering pays strongly, with crossover into the high-paying software and tech sector.
| Career stage | Typical monthly pay (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Entry (graduate) | ₦150,000 – ₦400,000 |
| Mid-level | ₦400,000 – ₦1,000,000 |
| Senior / tech & automation | ₦1,000,000 – ₦2,500,000+ |
Figures are rough approximations (monthly gross) as of 2026, drawn from Nigerian salary aggregators. Actual pay varies widely by sector (oil & gas, fintech and multinationals pay far above the public service), employer, location (Lagos and Abuja pay more) and experience — treat these as a guide, not a guarantee.
Where it’s offered: notable universities
Computer Engineering is offered at many Nigerian universities, including the University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Nigeria, the Federal University of Technology Akure and the University of Ilorin.
This is not a ranked or exhaustive list — always confirm the current institutions and their requirements in the official JAMB brochure, or use our subject combination checker and the Computer Engineering admission guide.
Is Computer Engineering a good course to study in Nigeria?
Computer Engineering bridges hardware and software, with strong demand and valuable crossover into the high-paying software and tech sector.
Why it’s a strong choice:
- High demand, with crossover into software and tech (remote/foreign-currency earning).
- Versatile — hardware, embedded systems, networks and software.
- Both a COREN engineering path and tech-industry routes.
- Future-proof, fast-growing field.
Challenges to weigh:
- Demanding — it needs both Mathematics and coding.
- Fast-changing technology requires continuous learning.
- Competitive.
- Some hardware roles are limited locally, so many pivot to software.
It suits students who enjoy both electronics/hardware and programming.
Skills you’ll gain
Beyond subject knowledge, Computer Engineering builds transferable skills valued across many careers:
- Hardware and embedded systems
- Programming
- Digital logic and computer architecture
- Computer networks
- Problem-solving
- Self-directed learning
Licensing, professional bodies & further study
The route to becoming a licensed engineer in Nigeria is: B.Eng degree (5 years, including SIWES industrial training) → NYSC → graduate membership of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) → several years of professional experience with continuing professional development → pass the COREN professional examination to become a Registered Engineer (Engr.). Programmes are accredited by the NUC and COREN.
How to get in: Computer Engineering UTME requirements
The JAMB UTME combination for Computer Engineering is Use of English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry. You also need five O’Level credits including English Language, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
Engineering is competitive, so aim for a UTME score well above the national minimum and prepare for Post-UTME.
Practise the UTME subjects free
Prepare with free official-syllabus notes and timed CBT practice for your UTME subjects:
- Use of English — practise CBT
- Mathematics — practise CBT
- Physics — practise CBT
- Chemistry — practise CBT
Related guides
- How to choose the right course for JAMB
- Good courses you can study with a low JAMB score
- Understanding the JAMB brochure & subject combinations
- How to use the JAMB eligibility checker
- How to change your course or institution on JAMB
Related & alternative courses
If you like Computer Engineering, you may also want to explore these related courses:
Frequently asked questions
How long is Computer Engineering in Nigeria?
A B.Eng typically takes 5 years, including SIWES industrial training, followed by the one-year NYSC.
What are the JAMB subjects for Computer Engineering?
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, with O'Level credits in the same four subjects.
How do I become a registered engineer in Nigeria?
After your B.Eng and NYSC, join the Nigerian Society of Engineers, gain professional experience with continuing development, and pass the COREN professional examination to register as an engineer (Engr.).
Is Computer Engineering competitive?
Engineering courses are competitive and need strong Mathematics and Physics, so aim well above the national minimum and prepare for Post-UTME.
What is the difference between Computer Engineering and Computer Science?
Computer Engineering covers both hardware and software and the electronics that computers run on, while Computer Science focuses more on software, algorithms and computation.
Is Computer Engineering a good course to study in Nigeria?
Yes — it is in strong demand and pays well, with valuable crossover into the software and tech sector, including remote work.
Computer Engineering vs Computer Science?
Computer Engineering covers hardware and software and the electronics computers run on; Computer Science focuses more on software, algorithms and computation.
Can I go into software or tech with Computer Engineering?
Yes — many computer engineers move into software, embedded systems, networks and data roles, sometimes earning in foreign currency.
Does Computer Engineering pay well?
Yes — especially with software/tech crossover and in telecoms, oil & gas and multinationals.
Sources: Programme structure and the COREN/NSE pathway summarised from Nigerian faculties of engineering, the NUC and COREN; admission requirements from the official JAMB UTME brochure. Last checked: 22 Sept 2026. Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB, the NUC or any professional body. Programme structure, duration and requirements vary by university — always confirm details with your chosen institution and the official JAMB brochure.