A Career in ZOOLOGY – All you Need to Know About the Course

On this post, we will answer the questions. Where can a zoologist work in Nigeria? Schools that offer zoology in Nigeria. Is zoology a good course in Nigeria?

A Career in ZOOLOGY – All you Need to Know About the Course

My dear, don’t mind what people say. Zoology in UNN is not all about the zoo. In fact, you will only do one course in wildlife (if you want) in the department.

UNN zoology comes with six areas of specialization. You can specialize in any of them. Let me list the areas of specialization with their job opportunities.

Read Also: Are you thinking of studying Psychology? Read this.

Areas of Specialization in Zoology and Job Opportunities

1. Parasitology and public health

Medical and biomedical sectors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, disease vectors control departments, WHO, medical and biomedical research units, etc. You can open a medical lab of your own if you have the money as a professional in parasitology.

2. Animal Biotechnology

Medical and biomedical sectors, genetech companies, brewery industries, oil companies (biotechnology is very important in oil companies), pharmaceutical companies, food and agricultural organization.
NB: The primary function of biotechnology is production of medicine and food through the application of molecular biology.

3. Fisheries science

Oceanography research, federal ministry of agriculture, fish farming centers, industries using fish and fish related products, fish biotechnology units, etc.
NB: it’s fisheries and hydrobiology in zoology that was combined and a new department called Aquaculture and Marine study was gotten now.

4. Entomology (study of insects)

Disease control units, WHO, medical and biomedical research institutes, agricultural areas.
Professionals in entomology can build industries producing insecticides or work in such companies, etc

5. Physiology (Both Animal and Human)

Medical and biomedical sector, food and drug administration agencies like NDLEA, NAFDAC, Hospitals and clinics, veterinary clinics, etc.

6. Molecular Genetics

Medical and biomedical centers (Mol geneticists are specialists in gene therapy), pharmaceutical companies, genetic engineering companies, Animal breeding units, veterinary clinics, etc.

Other areas but are general (you don’t choose them) are:

• Environmental biology (a disguised environmental science). You can work in the federal ministry of environment or in any industry as a monitoring scientist.
• Either Mammalogy or wildlife. You can work in the zoo.
• Snailery
• Vertebrate and invertebrate zoology
• Anatomy
• Histology and Embryology
• Developmental biology (evolution)
• Hydrobiology
• Hydrobiologists work in oil companies.
  Etc.

You can as well be a teacher or a lecturer in tertiary institutions.

Perhaps, zoology might not determine your destiny. The Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan is a zoologist.

Zoology is a very nice course. Don’t be intimidated by others.

List of Universities that Offer Zoology in Nigeria

The following are the list of universities that offer Zoology as a course:

Number of Universities: 51

• Abia State University, Uturu
• Achievers University Owo
• Adamawa State University, Mubi
• Afe Babalola University , Ado-Ekiti
• Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
• Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot-Akpaden
• Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma
• Bauchi State University, Gadau, Bauchi State
• Bayero University, Kano
• Benue State University, Makurdi
• Bingham University, Karu
• Bowen University, Iwo
• Crawford University,Faith City, Km 8, Atan-Agbara Road, Igbesa
• Crescent University, Abeokuta
• Delta State University, Abraka
• Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti
• Federal University Of Agriculture, Makurdi
• Federal University Of Technology Minna
• Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki
• Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State
• Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State
• Gombe State University, Tudun Wada, Gombe
• Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State
• Hallmark University,Ijebu-Itele,Ogun State
• Hezekiah University, Umudi, Imo State
• Igbinedion University, Okada, Benin City
• Imo State University, Owerri
• Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji
• Kebbi State University Of Science And Technology, Aliro
• Kogi State University, Anyigba
• Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin
• Nasarawa State University, Keffi
• Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
• Paul University, Awka
• Southwestern University, Okun-Owa, Ogun State
• Taraba State University, Jalingo
• University Of Calabar, Calabar
• University Of Ibadan, Ibadan
• Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
• University Of Ilorin, Ilorin
• University Of Jos, Jos
• Ondo State University Of Science And Technology, Okitipupa
• University Of Lagos
• University Of Maiduguri
• Osun State University, Osogbo
• University Of Mkar, Gboko
• University Of Nigeria Nsukka
• Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto
• University Of Port-Harcourt
• University Of Uyo
• Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State

By Dennis Nwachukwu
Proudly a 300L student of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria Nsukka