Course at a glance
| Degree awarded | Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Human Nutrition and Dietetics |
|---|---|
| Duration | typically 4–5 years, then a clinical internship and NYSC |
| Faculty / college | Basic Medical Sciences / Agriculture / Health Sciences (varies by university) |
| Professional body | Nutrition Society of Nigeria / Dietitians Association of Nigeria (practising dietitians are registered) |
| UTME subjects | Use of English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Competitiveness | Competitive |
On this page
- What Human Nutrition and Dietetics is about
- A brief history of the discipline
- What you will study
- Why study Human Nutrition and Dietetics & 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 Human Nutrition and Dietetics is about
Human Nutrition and Dietetics is the science of food, nutrients and how they affect health, together with dietetics — applying that science to prevent and treat disease through diet. It bridges food science, biochemistry and clinical care.
A brief history of the discipline
The field grew from home economics and food science into an increasingly clinical, evidence-based discipline as the links between diet and disease became clearer. In Nigeria, dietitians who practise clinically are professionally registered.
What you will study
Core areas include nutrition science and biochemistry, food science, clinical and therapeutic nutrition, community and public-health nutrition, and food-service management — usually with a supervised clinical internship.
Why study Human Nutrition and Dietetics & who it suits
This course suits students interested in food, health and science who enjoy working with and caring for people. Strong Biology and Chemistry help.
Careers & where graduates work
Graduates work as clinical dietitians in hospitals, in community and public-health nutrition, in the food and beverage industry, in research and consultancy, in academia, and with NGOs and health agencies.
Salary outlook in Nigeria
Dietitians’ pay grows with clinical experience and consultancy, with rising demand in health and the food industry.
| Career stage | Typical monthly pay (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Entry (graduate / intern) | ₦120,000 – ₦300,000 |
| Experienced dietitian | ₦300,000 – ₦600,000 |
| Senior / clinical / consultancy | ₦600,000 – ₦1,200,000+ |
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
Human Nutrition and Dietetics is offered by many Nigerian universities. Well-regarded, widely-recognised programmes include the University of Nigeria, University of Ibadan, the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, University of Benin, University of Uyo and Imo State University, among others.
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 Human Nutrition and Dietetics admission guide.
Is Human Nutrition and Dietetics a good course to study in Nigeria?
Human Nutrition and Dietetics is a growing, health-focused field combining science and care, with strong and rising demand as health awareness increases.
Why it’s a strong choice:
- Rising demand in health, hospitals and the food industry.
- Multiple paths: clinical, community and industry.
- Meaningful health impact.
- Consultancy and private-practice potential.
Challenges to weigh:
- Entry pay is modest.
- Clinical practice needs an internship and registration.
- Competitive.
- Some public-sector roles are limited.
It suits students interested in food, health and science who enjoy caring for people.
Skills you’ll gain
Beyond subject knowledge, Human Nutrition and Dietetics builds transferable skills valued across many careers:
- Nutrition and dietetics knowledge
- Nutritional assessment
- Counselling and communication
- Research
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
Licensing, professional bodies & further study
B.Sc degree → clinical internship → registration to practise as a dietitian → NYSC → practice, with postgraduate options for advancement.
How to get in: Human Nutrition and Dietetics UTME requirements
The JAMB UTME combination is Use of English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, with five O’Level credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Practise the UTME subjects free
Prepare with free official-syllabus notes and timed CBT practice for your UTME subjects:
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 Human Nutrition and Dietetics, you may also want to explore these related courses:
Frequently asked questions
How long is Human Nutrition and Dietetics in Nigeria?
Typically 4–5 years depending on the university, followed by a clinical internship and the one-year NYSC for those practising as dietitians.
What are the JAMB subjects?
Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, with O'Level credits in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
What is the difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian?
Broadly, dietitians are trained and registered to provide clinical dietary treatment (for example in hospitals), while 'nutritionist' is a wider term. Practising clinically requires the appropriate registration.
Where do graduates work?
Hospitals, community and public-health nutrition, the food industry, research, consultancy, academia and NGOs.
Is this a science course?
Yes — it is grounded in biology, chemistry and biochemistry, applied to food and health.
Is Human Nutrition and Dietetics a good course to study in Nigeria?
Yes — demand is rising across health, hospitals and the food industry, with clinical, community, industry and private-practice options.
What is the difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian?
Dietitians are trained and registered to provide clinical dietary treatment (for example in hospitals); ‘nutritionist’ is a broader term. Clinical practice needs the appropriate registration.
What jobs can I get?
Clinical dietitian, community and public-health nutrition, food-industry roles, research, consultancy and academia.
Can I set up a private practice?
Yes — with the right registration and experience, dietitians can offer consultancy and run private nutrition practices.
Sources: Summarised from Nigerian universities and professional nutrition/dietetics bodies; 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.