Written by Christian Chinonso
Founder, LearnViaHub | Academic Credential & International Student Research
Last checked: 28 October 2026
Sources cited
Quick answer
A 5-point CGPA system is documented in the grading rules of Nigerian institutions, including the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and a National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) departmental handbook. In the UNILAG example, scores of 70–100 earn an A worth 5 grade points, while lower score bands receive fewer points. Your university’s own grading regulations determine which rules apply to your transcript.
UNILAG’s published undergraduate guide lists a final CGPA of 4.50–5.00 as First Class and 3.50–4.49 as Second Class Upper (2:1). Its printed ranges overlap between 2.40 and 2.49, so students in that range should confirm their classification with the university.
There is no single US GPA conversion that automatically applies to every Nigerian CGPA. Universities and credential evaluators may use different assessment methods. Report your grades as printed and follow the instructions of the school or evaluator receiving your documents.
The Nigerian 5-point grading scale
A grade-point system assigns points to a course grade. Those points are weighted by the course’s credit units to calculate a Grade Point Average (GPA). A Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) summarises performance across the courses and study periods included under the university’s calculation rules.
The table below reproduces the score bands in the University of Lagos undergraduate student guide. It is an institutional example, not proof that every Nigerian university uses identical grade boundaries.
| Score (%) | Letter grade | Grade point |
|---|---|---|
| 70–100 | A | 5.00 |
| 60–69 | B | 4.00 |
| 50–59 | C | 3.00 |
| 45–49 | D | 2.00 |
| 40–44 | E | 1.00 |
| 0–39 | F | 0.00 |
To calculate a GPA, multiply each course’s grade point by its credit units, add the resulting quality points, and divide by the total credit units included in the calculation. CGPA uses the institution’s rules to combine performance across the relevant study period.
For a worked example, see our guide to calculating GPA in Nigeria.
Degree classes on a 5-point scale
Degree classification depends on the regulations of the institution awarding the qualification. UNILAG’s published undergraduate guide lists the following CGPA ranges:
| Final CGPA | Classification in UNILAG’s guide |
|---|---|
| 4.50–5.00 | First Class |
| 3.50–4.49 | Second Class Upper (2:1) |
| 2.40–3.49 | Second Class Lower (2:2) |
| 1.50–2.49 | Third Class |
| 1.00–1.49 | Pass |
Important: the published ranges overlap. UNILAG’s table lists Second Class Lower as 2.40–3.49 and Third Class as 1.50–2.49. This creates an overlap between 2.40 and 2.49. The table above reproduces those printed ranges; it does not resolve the ambiguity. If your CGPA falls within that interval, contact your registrar or consult the current regulations for your programme.
A 2015 Daily Trust report on university grading described different classification boundaries, including 2.50–3.49 for Second Class Lower and 1.50–2.49 for Third Class. That historical report is not a substitute for your university’s current rules.
Do not assume these exact class boundaries apply to every Nigerian university, programme or graduating cohort. Your official transcript and the awarding institution’s regulations are the relevant references.
NOUN grading example: what one handbook shows
A NOUN Department of Library and Information Science student handbook for its BLIS programme publishes the following score bands and grade points. This is a departmental example, not evidence that every NOUN programme uses the same handbook or rules.
| Score (%) | Grade | Grade point |
|---|---|---|
| 70–100 | A | 5 |
| 60–69 | B | 4 |
| 50–59 | C | 3 |
| 45–49 | D | 2 |
| 40–44 | E | 1 |
The cited table assigns no grade-point value to a score below 40 in the displayed rows, so this article does not add a separate failing-score row to the NOUN example. Consult the handbook and current programme rules for how a failing score is recorded.
The comparison shows why institutional documents matter: similar score bands may appear in more than one handbook, but readers should verify the rules applicable to their own programme and cohort before using them for an official decision.
Why some Nigerian transcripts use a 4-point scale
Nigerian university grading arrangements have changed over time. In October 2018, media reports described an NUC direction for universities to return to the 5-point scale from the 2018/2019 academic session after a move toward a 4-point system. The historical reporting is useful context, but it does not establish which scale applies to every transcript issued in every year.
For the reported return order, see Vanguard’s October 2018 report. For further historical context, see The Guardian Nigeria’s 2019 report on university grading.
The Guardian report discusses differences in grading practice and quotes an academic explaining the classification approach used under a 4-point system. We have not established a single 4-point grading table that applies to every institution, so this article does not present one as a national standard.
Does a 4.0 mean First Class? Not without knowing the scale. On UNILAG’s published 5-point scale, 4.00 falls within Second Class Upper. On a 4-point scale, 4.00 is the maximum numerical CGPA, but the classification still depends on the rules of the institution that issued the transcript.
If your transcript does not clearly identify the grading scale, check its grading key or ask your university for written clarification before converting your result.
Pass mark and minimum CGPA
The pass mark and academic-standing requirements should be checked against the applicable university regulations. UNILAG’s published guide states that the minimum pass mark in a course is 40%. A NOUN Department of Library and Information Science handbook also states that a student passes an examination by obtaining 40%.
Historical reporting has described different arrangements. A 2015 Daily Trust report discussed a grading regime with a 45% course pass mark and a minimum CGPA of 1.50. A 2019 Guardian report also described different pass marks in the context of 4-point and 5-point systems.
These reports refer to different contexts and dates. They should not be combined into a universal rule or treated as proof of the current requirement at your university. Check your current student handbook or contact your registrar to confirm the pass mark, minimum CGPA, probation rules and graduation requirements that apply to you.
How US schools read Nigerian grades
There is no single US GPA conversion that automatically applies to every Nigerian student. A university may assess grades under its own admissions policy, while a credential evaluator may review the transcript using its own evaluation method.
One concrete example is San Francisco State University’s Nigeria admissions page. It publishes the following grade-equivalency table for its graduate admissions process:
| Nigerian score / grade | SFSU equivalent |
|---|---|
| 70–100 (A/AB) | A |
| 60–69 (B/BC) | B+ |
| 50–59 (C/CD) | B |
| 45–49 (D) | C+ |
| 40–44 (E) | C |
| 0–39 (F) | F |
SFSU also states that a GPA of “B” or higher is required for graduate study. Both the equivalencies and the stated admission requirement belong to SFSU’s published policy. They should not be treated as a universal conversion table or an admissions rule for other US institutions.
What about WES?
World Education Services (WES) offers several credential evaluation reports. Its course-by-course report lists subjects, credits and grades, and includes a GPA expressed in US or Canadian terms, depending on the report. The appropriate report depends on the purpose of the evaluation and the requirements of the organisation receiving it.
Read the official WES evaluation report information and our WES evaluation guide before ordering a report. Check the target programme’s instructions first; do not assume an evaluation is required unless the school or organisation asks for one.
How to report your Nigerian CGPA when applying abroad
- Report the result as printed. Provide your CGPA and identify the grading scale if the application asks for it.
- Use your university’s grading key. Supply the official grading explanation when the application permits or requests supporting documents.
- Convert only when instructed. Follow the method required by the university, scholarship provider or credential evaluator.
- Do not present an estimate as an official GPA. A simple mathematical conversion may differ from the receiving institution’s assessment or an evaluator’s report.
- Check document requirements early. Confirm whether the receiving institution needs official transcripts, sealed documents, translations or a credential evaluation.
If you want to understand the calculation behind your home-scale result, use our Nigerian GPA calculation guide. For a wider comparison of grading formats, see GPA systems around the world.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 5.0 grading system in Nigeria?
It is a grade-point system in which the maximum course grade point is 5. In the published UNILAG example on this page, an A for 70–100 earns 5 points, a B for 60–69 earns 4 points, and lower grades receive fewer points. Check your university’s grading table for the rules that apply to your transcript.
Is a 4.0 a First Class in Nigeria?
It depends on the grading scale and the institution. On UNILAG’s published 5-point scale, a CGPA of 4.00 falls within Second Class Upper. A 4.00 on a 4-point scale is the maximum numerical CGPA, but you should still check the institution’s degree-classification rules.
What CGPA is First Class on a 5.0 scale?
UNILAG’s published undergraduate guide lists First Class as 4.50–5.00. Other institutions may have different rules, so confirm the range that applies to your degree.
What class is a 2.87 CGPA?
Under the classification ranges printed in UNILAG’s guide, 2.87 falls within Second Class Lower. Check your own university’s regulations before relying on that classification.
What is a 2:1 in Nigeria?
A 2:1 means Second Class Upper. UNILAG’s published guide lists this classification as a CGPA of 3.50–4.49 on its 5-point scale. The exact range depends on the institution awarding the degree.
How do I convert a Nigerian 5.0 CGPA to a US 4.0 GPA?
There is no single conversion that every US institution accepts. Universities and credential evaluators may use their own methods. Follow the instructions of the programme receiving your application rather than assuming that dividing your CGPA by five and multiplying by four produces an official US GPA.
What US GPA is equivalent to a Nigerian 2:1?
A Nigerian Second Class Upper does not have one universal US GPA equivalent. The receiving university or credential evaluator determines how to assess the transcript. Submit your degree class and CGPA as printed unless the application instructs you to provide a conversion.
Does every Nigerian university use the same grading scale?
You should not assume that every university, programme or graduating cohort uses identical rules. Published institutional regulations are the safest way to confirm grade bands, pass requirements and degree classifications.
What is the pass mark in Nigerian universities?
The applicable pass mark depends on the institution and programme rules. The UNILAG example and the cited NOUN departmental handbook list 40%. Historical reporting describes different arrangements elsewhere. Check your current handbook or ask your registrar to confirm the requirement that applies to you.
Which grading scale does my university use, 5.0 or 4.0?
Check the grading key on your transcript, your student handbook or the regulations for your graduating cohort. Historical reports about a return to the 5-point system do not establish which scale applies to every transcript.
Do I need a WES evaluation to apply to a US university?
Not always. Requirements differ by university and programme. Read the official admissions instructions before ordering an evaluation, and use the provider named by the institution if one is specified.
Will a US university accept my Nigerian CGPA as printed?
Requirements vary. A school may ask for your original grades and grading scale, official transcripts, or a credential evaluation. Follow the admissions instructions for the specific programme rather than assuming that all schools assess international grades in the same way.
How we researched this
Last checked: 28 October 2026. We used the published University of Lagos undergraduate student guide for the 5-point grade bands and degree-class ranges. We also reviewed a NOUN Department of Library and Information Science student handbook, historical reporting by Vanguard and The Guardian Nigeria on grading-system changes, a Daily Trust report on grading requirements, San Francisco State University’s Nigeria admissions page, and WES’s published evaluation-report information.
The tables are presented as institutional examples, not as a universal national grading policy. The NOUN table is from a specific departmental handbook. The UNILAG class ranges overlap between 2.40 and 2.49 as printed in its guide; this article flags rather than resolves that issue. The SFSU equivalencies apply to SFSU’s published admissions guidance, not every US institution.
We did not establish a single official Nigeria-to-US GPA conversion that applies to all universities and evaluators. Historical news reports are secondary sources, and institutional rules may change. Check the current regulations with your registrar and the current admissions instructions of the receiving institution.
This article is for general information and is not an official academic evaluation. LearnViaHub is not affiliated with the NUC, UNILAG, NOUN, San Francisco State University or WES. Always confirm the grading and application requirements relevant to your case.
Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education — including GPA systems, scholarships, student financing, and study-abroad guidance — for students worldwide.