Human Resource Management

Human Resource Management is about managing people at work — recruiting, developing, motivating and retaining the workforce, and handling welfare, performance and employee relations so organisations and people thrive. Here is what the course involves, where it can take you, and how to get in.

Course at a glance

Degree awardedBachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Human Resource Management
Duration4 years, then NYSC
Faculty / collegeFaculty of Management / Administrative Sciences
Professional body / certificationChartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM)
UTME subjectsUse of English plus three relevant Arts/Social-Science subjects (commonly Economics, Government or Commerce)
CompetitivenessModerately competitive

What Human Resource Management is about

Human Resource Management is about managing people at work — recruiting, developing, motivating and retaining the workforce, and handling welfare, performance and employee relations so organisations and people thrive.

A brief history of the discipline

HRM grew from basic personnel administration into a strategic function central to organisational success. In Nigeria the profession is led by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM).

What you will study

You study human resource management, organisational behaviour, labour and employment law, industrial relations, management, and the psychology of work — with an industrial attachment and a project.

Why study Human Resource Management & who it suits

It suits organised, people-oriented students with good communication and fairness, interested in workplaces and management.

Careers & where graduates work

Graduates work as HR officers and managers, in recruitment, training and development, compensation and employee relations, across all sectors, with CIPM certification advancing careers.

Salary outlook in Nigeria

HR pay grows into management, and CIPM qualification strengthens prospects across every sector.

Career stageTypical monthly pay (approx.)
Entry (graduate)₦100,000 – ₦250,000
Mid-level (HR officer)₦300,000 – ₦650,000
Senior / HR management₦700,000 – ₦1,500,000+

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

Human Resource Management is offered by a growing number of Nigerian universities, and availability is expanding each year. Confirm which institutions currently offer it (and their requirements) in the official JAMB brochure.

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 Resource Management admission guide.

Is Human Resource Management a good course to study in Nigeria?

Human Resource Management is a people-focused management field that every organisation needs, with a clear CIPM professional path.

Why it’s a strong choice:

Challenges to weigh:

It suits organised, people-oriented students with a strong sense of fairness.

Skills you’ll gain

Beyond subject knowledge, Human Resource Management builds transferable skills valued across many careers:

Licensing, professional bodies & further study

B.Sc Human Resource Management (4 years) → NYSC → HR roles, with CIPM professional certification for progression into HR management.

How to get in: Human Resource Management UTME requirements

The JAMB UTME combination for Human Resource Management is Use of English plus three relevant Arts/Social-Science subjects (commonly Economics, Government or Commerce). You also need five relevant O’Level credits including English Language.

Confirm the exact requirement for your university, and aim well above the national minimum.

Full admission details: see the complete Human Resource Management subject combination, cut-off & O’Level guide, or confirm any course with our subject combination checker.

Practise the UTME subjects free

Prepare with free official-syllabus notes and timed CBT practice for your UTME subjects:

Ready to practise? Take a free mock exam or focused CBT practice with worked explanations.

Related guides

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Frequently asked questions

How long is Human Resource Management in Nigeria?

The B.Sc typically takes 4 years, followed by the one-year NYSC.

What are the JAMB subjects for Human Resource Management?

Use of English plus three relevant Arts or Social-Science subjects (such as Economics, Government or Commerce).

What does an HR manager do?

They handle recruitment, training and development, performance, compensation, welfare and employee relations — managing an organisation's people.

Is HRM a good course?

Yes — every organisation needs HR professionals, and the CIPM professional route offers clear progression.

Is Human Resource Management a good course to study in Nigeria?

Yes — every organisation needs HR, so demand is broad, and the CIPM professional route offers clear progression.

What jobs can I get?

HR officer and manager, recruitment, training and development, compensation and employee relations — across all sectors.

Is CIPM needed?

It is not compulsory, but CIPM qualification strengthens prospects and is expected for senior HR roles.

HRM vs Psychology?

HRM is applied people-management for the workplace; Psychology is the broader science of mind and behaviour. They overlap in organisational psychology.

Sources: Course content and professional pathways summarised from Nigerian faculties of management sciences and the relevant professional institutes; 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.