Top 20 Useless Courses to Study in Nigeria in 2025

When searching for a course to study in Nigeria, students and parents often wonder which ones are worth it. Sadly, some courses that were once considered great might not be as relevant anymore in today’s job market. Useless courses to study in Nigeria can lead to limited job opportunities and waste of time and resources.

Don’t get me wrong, no course it’s actually useless per se. But when it comes to relevance and profitability, some courses lag behind. Therefore, it is not recommended to apply for these courses.

Here, we are going to take into account the top 20 useless courses to study in Nigeria in 2025. The courses might have been so highly sought after earlier but now lack the same potential as earlier. From the low-demand programs to those with fewer jobs, we are going to take into account the courses that might not be the best fit for your future.

By understanding what are referred to as useless courses to study in Nigeria, you will be able to make an informed decision in your career and academic life. This will allow you to avoid a course that will not lead to a successful career. You will be able to focus on courses that are in demand and with better career prospects. Let’s proceed!

What Makes a Course Useless?

A course can be called “useless” if it has no real-world applications, relevance, or career prospects in the current job market. Some of the reasons that may render a course useless are as follows:

1. They are Not Marketable in Job Market: The course which you will never see the advertisement of any job is marketable and can’t be sold in your environment. Look at the vacant job advertisements and match them with your course. How often was your course demanded? What is the possibility that your ability would be demanded? The demand for a skill must be huge, if it is going to add value.

2. When Your Course is a Recreational Course: Learning a recreational course like Music, Physical Education. Entertainers abound on the surface of the Earth, and there isn’t anyone learning music. Many people can complain about how Music as a course is needed, but reality always reorganizes the appearances

3. When your Course is Obsolete: Obsolete courses that are not needed anymore in the Labor market, need to be kept away. Courses like Geography and social studies. Etc. Are obsolete and will no longer be needed. These need to be kept away.

4. Not Relevant to Industry Needs: If a course of study is not relevant to the current needs of the industry, it might not be able to give the student the skills and knowledge that he or she requires to succeed in that field of work.

These explanations can vary depending on context, location, and industry. What would be considered to be wasting time in one context would be beneficial in another.

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What Are The Top 20 Useless Courses to Study in Nigeria in 2025

The following are the top 20 useless courses to study in Nigeria in 2025, classified by their few career prospects and limited real-life applications:

1. Philosophy

Philosophy is typically viewed as somewhat impractical by Nigerians. It’s not the most popular among professions here because it does not directly link to the majority of relevant jobs.

While it’s a great mental exercise, it does not lead to the same clear-cut career path as, say, engineering or medicine. Graduates can find it hard to secure good-paying jobs.

But Philosophy isn’t all bad – it enhances analytical skills, ethics, and communication.

Some creative minds combine philosophy with technical expertise or business ventures, finding creative means of making it work in the Nigerian labor market.

2. Library and Information Science

Learning Library and Information Science in Nigeria usually gets criticism for its seeming impracticality. It is argued by some that for a nation that has acute unemployment and poverty, investing in LIS is frivolous.

The digital era has lessened the need for conventional librarians, and poor library infrastructure constrains the availability of employment opportunities. You should give emphasis to courses that have more direct economic influence in order to confront Nigeria’s critical problems.

3. Religious Studies

In Nigeria, some would wonder why study Religious Studies if it does not have a direct career path. It is not as job-friendly as other professions like engineering or medicine.

Getting good-paying employment that has direct relevance to it might be tough. Religious Studies, however, has its advantage – it instills cultural consciousness, critical analysis, and interfaith dialogue skills.

Some graduates make spaces in social work, non-profits, or education, and this shows that with creativity, it can be a fulfilling choice in spite of initial push-back.

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4. Anthropology

Anthropology is dismissed in Nigeria since it does not seem to have tangible practical use.

In a country struggling with joblessness and poverty, some people question its relevance to contemporary needs.

Others argue that studying human societies and culture does not pay direct attention to Nigeria’s burning issues.

Limited career opportunities in the discipline contribute to this perception. Though Anthropology is worthwhile, its applicability in the context of Nigeria’s socio economic challenges is questioned. This necessitates some to call for focusing on courses with more direct economic relevance.

5. Theatre Arts

In Nigeria, one is constantly questioning the utility of pursuing Theatre Arts because it does not directly have a clear-cut career ahead. It’s not as “job-ready” as other professions. It’s difficult to secure high-paying careers in the world of theater.

However, Theatre Arts is not drama and nothing else; it develops creativity, teamwork, and performing skills applicable to various sectors like entertainment, advertising, event management, or teaching.

It’s a field where passion and perseverance can go a long way in making their mark, even if it’s unconventional initially.

6. Social Studies

In Nigeria, others might ask whether it makes sense to study Social Studies since it doesn’t specialize. It doesn’t scream “job-ready” like some technical fields. Scoring high-paying jobs that are Social Studies-related is not easy.

However, it’s not useless altogether. It exposes you to a broader view of society, government, and citizenship, which in turn will be advantageous in a number of professions like teaching, community development, or civil service.

Although it does not grant an implicit passport to a specific profession, it does lay a platform for careers that require an imaginative vision of society’s processes.

7. Environmental Management

Environmental Management tends to be viewed skeptically in Nigeria because of its perceived few job opportunities and short-term effect.

In a country struggling with unemployment and urgent infrastructure requirements, some wonder about the feasibility of this discipline. Critics contend that resources must be allocated to areas such as healthcare and technology, which are viewed as more critically required.

Moreover, employment opportunities for environmental management graduates may be competitive.

While environmental problems are paramount, you must concentrate on more directly economically and socially relevant courses to solve Nigeria’s pressing problems.

8. Home Economics

Certain people in Nigeria may wonder how Home Economics can be useful as it does not seem to open doors to a particular career. It is less specialized than other areas that yell “job-ready.”

It is not really easy to gain well-paying employment particularly in Home Economics.

But here’s the catch—it equips you with useful skills like cooking, nutrition, and housekeeping.

While it might not land you a white-collar corporate job, these skills can potentially open up career paths in entrepreneurship, catering, or even be a stepping stone to related fields like nutrition and dietetics. So, it’s all about the spice of life!

9. Tourism and Hospitality Management

Tourism and Hospitality Management raises a few eyebrows in Nigeria owing to perceived employment shortages and economic impact. In a country beset by massive unemployment and pressing infrastructure needs, not everyone is convinced about the validity of this field.

It makes no sense to invest in an industry that is so boom-and-bust, critics say. Limited career prospects add to the anxiety, with graduates failing to find employment.

While tourism is good for the economy, you must put courses with more immediate, stable economic returns first in order to adequately tackle Nigeria’s issues.

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10. Linguistics

Some might wonder in Nigeria if studying Linguistics is realistic because it does not seem to offer a direct career path. It is not as technical as medicine or engineering that screams “job-ready.”

Finding high-paying positions that directly relate to Linguistics can be a puzzle piece.

But the catch is—it sets you up for the superpower of language analysis and communication.

That can be applied to education, translation, content creation, or even the fascinating realm of computational linguistics. So, it may not serve up a traditional job on a silver platter, but it’s a set of tools with a few handy gadgets if you know what to do with them.

11. Horticulture

Horticulture can be eyebrow-raising in Nigeria due to its perceived lower employment prospects and economic yield. In a country that is troubled by unemployment and infrastructure needs, there are others who wonder if it is the best choice. Critics think the funds would be better invested in agriculture or technology, which promise more concrete economic benefits.

Also, finding employment in horticulture might be challenging. While it has its benefits in encouraging environmentally friendly agriculture, you should highlight courses that guarantee more tangible and significant economic returns to effectively tackle Nigeria’s issues.

12. Sociology

In Nigeria, some people might raise an eyebrow at pursuing Sociology because it does not necessarily scream “job guarantee.” It lacks the technical content that some other fields offer.

It might be difficult to land well-paying jobs that directly involve a Sociology degree. But hold on – Sociology provides you with a rich insight into society, research, and data analysis skills.

That’s gold in career paths like social work, research, policy analysis, or even the nonprofit sector. So, while it might not provide you with an instant career, it does prepare you to make a contribution to society and bring about change.

13. Zoology

Zoology often gets a lot of blame in Nigeria for its apparent impracticality. With pressing concerns like unemployment and healthcare, some wonder if it’s the right choice. And, getting a job in zoology is tough due to high competition.

While it’s necessary for conservation and ecosystem knowledge, you can drop it for courses that bring more direct economic and social benefits to address relevant issues appropriately.

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14. History

In Nigeria, one might wonder whether studying History is worthwhile as it does not shout “job security.” It lacks specialized flair that some courses offer.

Finding good paying jobs that are directly related to a History degree might be difficult.

But here’s the catch – it sharpens your critical thinking, research, and analytical abilities. Those are Swiss Army knives in professions like education, journalism, archives, and heritage management.

So, though it may not promise a comfortable corporate career, History can unlock the past’s secrets, influencing your vision of the present and future.

15. Political Science

Political Science is often questioned in Nigeria. When youth unemployment is high and pressing needs like healthcare and infrastructure exist, others wonder if it’s the way to go.

And anyway, political science job employment might be hard due to high competition. Though it’s useful for studying governance, you must prioritize courses with more tangible and immediate economic and societal returns so that you can effectively deal with pressing concerns.

16. Botany

Scientific plant study is the field botany majors.

Though the course is exemplary, it has found little acceptance in some nations such as Nigeria.

Scientific study of plants is not highly valued in Nigeria because people do not respect farmers and farming.

In addition, many botanists have very low rates of employment, therefore it is not easy for them to get well paying jobs and this makes it categorically one of the useless courses to study in Nigeria

17. Fine Arts

Fine arts encompass such visual or performance art as may be created and produced in the field of fine arts such as painting, sculpture, photography, dance, music, and theatre.

While joining fine arts as a course can be an interesting and enriching experience, there might not be very many employment prospects in Nigeria.

There is perhaps less official support for the arts in Nigeria than in some nations, and the fine arts sector there is not so developed. The graduates may therefore not find it easy to find stable employment within the sector. Therefore, fine arts graduates may have limited choices, mainly academic or research-based job that may perhaps not be in a stable career term.

Because the field is not as developed in Nigeria as it is in other nations, fine arts studies may not have many career options. In addition, there might not be a large amount of government patronage for the arts, which would mean that the graduates would find it difficult to get jobs in the industry.

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18. Physical Health Education

Physical Health Education is one of the waste courses to pursue in Nigeria. In a richer country, the degree will translate to a wonderful career, but in a country like Nigeria, becoming a fitness coach or instructor is far-fetched.

During these hard economic times, most Nigerians care less about their physical well-being than they do about making ends meet.

Most physical health education graduates become primary and secondary school teachers. If you are not yet ready to be an Entrepreneur who owns a gym house, then this course does not necessarily offer much.

19. Crop Science

Another waste of time to pursue in Nigeria is crop science, which studies crops and disease. This is one of the least profitable courses to study because there are few or no job opportunities available.

Besides some reputable institutions, the majority of Nigerian farmers will not find this course useful. This is because you will likely not obtain a job unless you have a connection.

20. Elementary Education

Interestingly, elementary education courses are still offered in some institutions. However, aside from individuals interested in teaching early childhood classes in nursery and primary schools, elementary education is among the useless courses to study in Nigeria.

You can study other courses with good employment opportunities rather than wasting years studying Elementary Education as a course.

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How to Survive the Labor Market With Useless Courses to Study in Nigeria

If you are studying these so-called useless courses, below are the things that you should do to survive, to survive in the labor market;

Learn Tech Skills

To acquire technical skills, you may venture online and access online platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, or Khan Academy and choose such topics as programming languages, data analysis, web development, cloud computing, cyber security, or digital marketing based on interest; actively develop through building projects, engage with online forums and forums to obtain feedback, and make it a point to join workshops or attend a hackathon in order to work on live examples. This is an extremely important thing to accomplish, if you’re doing the following courses,

Entrepreneurial Potential

Some courses instill in graduates the skills of creating their own opportunities and businesses, and therefore are entrepreneurial strengths. Not everybody will have tech skills, but you can leverage your entrepreneurship skills and build on your passion of seeking out solutions. Critical thinking skills is necessary, in order to make it through

Entry Graduate Training Role

Graduate trainees are new graduates entering the workforce. Graduate trainees’ responsibilities differ depending on their area, but they are typically supervised by a veteran staff member while they train, learn, and attend meetings. They should have a degree in the position they are training to perform. You can go to your dream career, with your grades ( since a good grade is everything ) . Up to now you are lively, and ready to learn. You are climbing up the top of the food chain

Pursuing Scholarships

There are many scholarships for international students which you can pursue for your masters like done9be who did one of the eo so-called useless courses. Most of them are very popular in developed nations.  For instance, Microbiology. You may take a scholarship in molecular biology, genetics…. Which will take you, and put you on the same shoulder, as the people studying the so called useful courses. The trick is to face your studies

Graduate With a Good Grade

School is not a scam, don’t delude yourself., trying to prove; what is not there. Good grade will open doors for you, make sure to graduate with it.

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Benefits of Choosing Courses Wisely

• Job Prospects: Some courses might not be in great demand on the job market or have restricted job prospects. Individuals might improve their chances of getting a job after graduation by reasonably choosing an academic program.

• Industry Demand: Certain courses may fail to deliver according to the demands of the market, a situation that could adversely affect the job opportunities of those who have studied them. One can boost his or her job prospects of getting a well-paying job by choosing a course that suits the demands of the prevailing market.

• Personal Interests: Although market demand and job opportunities are significant, choosing a course that best suits your interest and passion is important. Studying a course you’re enthusiastic about can result in contentment and satisfaction on a personal level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

While some of the courses are possibly less beneficial, it is vital to remember that each sector has its advantages.

If you are studying one of the 20 most useless courses to study in Nigeria in 2025, don’t lose hope. Instead, learn to develop transferable skills, engage in entrepreneurial activities, and consider further studies.

By doing it this way, you are still capable of succeeding and establishing a fulfilling career. It is truly your choice to make the most of your education and chart your own course. With persistence and determination, you are capable of succeeding.