Course at a glance
| Degree awarded | Doctor of Optometry (OD) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 years, then an internship and 1 year of NYSC |
| Faculty / college | Faculty of Optometry / Health Sciences |
| Regulatory body | Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN) |
| Professional body | Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) |
| UTME subjects | Use of English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Competitiveness | Competitive |
On this page
- What Optometry is about
- A brief history of the discipline
- What you will study
- Why study Optometry & 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 Optometry is about
Optometry is the primary eye-care profession: examining eyes, testing vision, detecting and managing eye conditions, and prescribing and dispensing corrective lenses. Optometrists are often the first professionals to detect eye disease and some general health conditions through the eyes.
A brief history of the discipline
Optometry grew from spectacle-making and opticianry into a full clinical profession. In Nigeria it is now a six-year doctoral programme awarding the Doctor of Optometry (OD), regulated by the ODORBN.
What you will study
Core areas include ocular anatomy and physiology, optics and visual science, clinical optometry, ophthalmic dispensing, ocular disease and low-vision care — with extensive clinical postings.
Why study Optometry & who it suits
Optometry suits students interested in health, precision work and patient care, comfortable with the sciences. Strong Biology and Physics (for optics) help.
Careers & where graduates work
Optometrists work in private practice, hospitals and eye clinics, community eye-health programmes, and the optical industry, and can specialise in areas such as paediatric optometry or low vision, or move into academia.
Salary outlook in Nigeria
Optometrists’ pay grows with experience and private practice, with strong demand for eye-care services.
| Career stage | Typical monthly pay (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Entry (intern / graduate) | ₦150,000 – ₦350,000 |
| Experienced | ₦350,000 – ₦700,000 |
| Senior / specialist | ₦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
Optometry is offered at a relatively small number of Nigerian universities, including the University of Benin, Abia State University, Imo State University and Bayero University Kano, 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 Optometry admission guide.
Is Optometry a good course to study in Nigeria?
Optometry is a respected clinical eye-care profession with strong private-practice and business potential and growing demand.
Why it’s a strong choice:
- A respected clinical profession (Doctor of Optometry).
- Strong private-practice and business potential.
- Growing demand for eye care.
- Overseas mobility.
Challenges to weigh:
- Long training: the six-year OD plus an internship.
- Offered at relatively few universities.
- Competitive.
- Public-sector pay is modest compared with private practice.
It suits students interested in health and precision work who enjoy patient care.
Skills you’ll gain
Beyond subject knowledge, Optometry builds transferable skills valued across many careers:
- Eye examination and diagnosis
- Clinical optometry
- Precision and attention to detail
- Patient communication
- Business skills (for practice owners)
- Problem-solving
Licensing, professional bodies & further study
OD degree (6 years) → internship → registration with the ODORBN → NYSC → practice.
How to get in: Optometry 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 Optometry, you may also want to explore these related courses:
Frequently asked questions
How long is Optometry in Nigeria?
The Doctor of Optometry (OD) takes 6 years, followed by an internship and one year of NYSC.
What degree do you get from Optometry?
The Doctor of Optometry (OD). After internship and ODORBN registration you practise as an optometrist.
What are the JAMB subjects for Optometry?
Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, with O'Level credits in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Is an optometrist the same as an ophthalmologist?
No. Optometrists provide primary eye and vision care; ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialise in eye surgery and disease after studying Medicine.
Where do optometrists work?
Private practice, hospitals and eye clinics, community eye health and the optical industry.
Is Optometry a good course to study in Nigeria?
Yes — it is a respected clinical profession with strong private-practice and business potential and growing demand, though training is long and offered at few schools.
Optometrist vs ophthalmologist — what’s the difference?
Optometrists provide primary eye and vision care; ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialise in eye surgery and disease after studying Medicine.
Can optometrists own a business?
Yes — many run their own eye-care practices, which is a major attraction of the profession.
Do optometrists earn well?
Earnings grow well with experience and private practice, and are higher than modest public-sector pay.
Sources: Programme structure and licensing summarised from Nigerian faculties of optometry, the NUC and the ODORBN; 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.