AKSU offers the following programmes through this Department:

1. Bachelor of Science (B.Agric.) in Animal Science

2. Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Animal Science

3. Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Animal Science with specialization options including:

   • Agribusiness Management

   • Food Marketing & International Trade

   • Farm Management & Production Economics

4. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Animal Science with specialization options including:

   • Consumer Welfare & Food Economics

   • Agribusiness Management

   • Food Marketing & International Trade

   • Farm Management & Production Economics

   • Resource & Environmental Economics

   • Project Planning & Appraisal

   • Agricultural Cooperatives

   • Agricultural Financial Management
     
     

🎓Undergraduate Studies

University Requirements 

a.) Admission through JAMB and Post UTME

i. Admission into Akwa Ibom State University shall be through Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) OR Direct Entry. In addition to attaining, the general required standard in UTME, candidates must satisfy the general university requirement as well as the specific Faculty and Programs requirement. All Admissions shall be through JAMB.

ii. The candidate must be over 16 years of age by 1st October in the year of admission.

iii. Candidates must possess at least 5 credit passes in relevant subjects (Chemistry, English language, Biology or Agricultural Science, Mathematics or physics and Economics or Geography) at GCE O/L, WASCE, SSCE, NECO or approved equivalents at not more than 2 sittings.

iv. Candidates with Teachers Grade II (TC II) with passes at credit or merit levels in conjunction with credit passes in relevant subjects at GCE, WASCE, SSCE, NECO or approved equivalents may be considered. No subject may be counted at both TC II and GCE O/L, WASCE, SSCE, NECO or approved equivalents.

b.) Admission by Direct Entry

Candidates for Direct Entry Admission must possess any of the following qualifications:

i. Two (2) passes at GCE, A/L, HSC, IJMB or approved equivalents in relevant subjects, and at least credits passes in two other subjects, including English Language, Chemistry, Biology, or Agricultural Science at GCE (O/L), WASCE, SSCE, NECO, or approved equivalents at not more than two sittings.

ii. Two (2) passes at GCE, A/L, HSC, IJMB or approved equivalents in relevant subjects, and at least credits passes in two other subjects, including English Language, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, or Agricultural Science at GCE (O/L), WASCE, SSCE, NECO, or approved equivalents at not more than two sittings.

iii. Two (2) passes at merit or above in two (2) recognized NCE subjects or approved equivalents, and at least 3 credit passes in other subjects, including English Language, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, or Agricultural Science at GCE (O/L), WASCE, SSCE, NECO, or approved equivalents at not more than 2 settings.

Other Admission Requirements

i. A pass in general paper at HSC or approved equivalents would not be accepted as a substitute for a credit pass in English Language at GCE O/L, WASCE, SSCE, NECO or approved equivalents.

ii. Interviews may be conducted as a component of the admission process in addition to UTME or Direct Entry by JAMB. 

iii. Specific Faculty/Departmental Requirements will be stipulated in addition to the general University entry requirements.

Transfer Admission

Candidates with adequate qualifications who wish to transfer from other universities to the Department of Crop Science shall be admitted into either Year II or Year II depending on their qualifications and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) as approved by the University. Such candidates must submit an official transcript from their former Universities. There is no admission beyond Year II.

🎓🎓Postgraduate Studies

Postgraduate Diploma (PGD)

🔸SSCE with 5 credits including English and Mathematics (in not more than 2 sittings)

🔸One of:

• HND in Agriculture with Lower Credit

• Third Class Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture or related science

• HND Pass with six years of cognate experience.

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

🔸SSCE with credits as above

🔸One of:

• Bachelor’s Degree (minimum of Second Class Lower) in Agriculture or science-related discipline

• HND Upper Credit plus PGD at Distinction level.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

🔸SSCE with credits as above

🔸One of:

• Master's Degree (minimum of Second Class Lower) in Agriculture or science-related discipline

CONTENTS NEEDED (E.g. The Department publishes the open-access journal AKSUJAEERD (Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension & Rural Development), featuring peer‑reviewed research on topics like e‑readiness of extension personnel, broiler production economics, and more.)  

CONTENT NEEDED (Example:

🔸 University Teaching & Research Farm (23 ha): hosts demonstrations on conservation tillage, integrated pest management and micro‑irrigation.

🔸 ICT Hub: broadband‑enabled labs support remote diagnostics and data analytics for extension surveys.)

🧬 Animal Production & Management Livestock farm manager (poultry, piggery, cattle, goat, or sheep farms) 

• Ranch manager or livestock production consultant 

• Breeding and genetics specialist 

• Feed formulation and nutrition consultant 

• Hatchery or breeding program supervisor

🧫 Animal Health & Veterinary-Related Fields 

• Animal health assistant or livestock disease control officer 

• Extension officer in animal health and production 

• Laboratory technologist in animal health or pathology labs 

• Public health or zoonotic disease surveillance officer (with further training) 

🧀 Feed & Food Industries 

• Feed mill production supervisor or quality control officer 

• Feed formulation specialist 

• Meat, dairy, or egg processing plant technologist 

• Quality assurance officer in livestock-based food industries 

🌾 Agricultural Extension & Rural Development 

• Livestock extension agent (public or private sector) 

• Agricultural development program (ADP) officer 

• Community livestock development facilitator 

🎓 Education, Research & Academia 

• Teaching in secondary schools or tertiary institutions (with postgraduate qualification) 

• Research scientist in animal genetics, physiology, nutrition, or production 

• Research assistant in universities or agricultural research institutes (e.g., NAPRI, NIHORT)

💼 Entrepreneurship & Agribusiness 

• Livestock farming enterprise owner (poultry, fishery, piggery, etc.) 

• Feed and input supplier (veterinary drugs, feeds, or equipment) 

• Agribusiness consultant or project developer 

• Value-added product entrepreneur (e.g., dairy products, animal by-products) 

🌍 Government & Regulatory Agencies 

• Employment in ministries of agriculture or livestock development 

• Roles in agencies like NAFDAC, SON, or NAQS (livestock product inspection and standards) 

• Policy advisor or animal production regulatory officer 

🐠 Specialized and Emerging Fields 

• Aquaculture and fish nutrition specialist 

• Wildlife management or conservation officer 

• Animal welfare and advocacy professional 

• Biotechnology and genetic engineering (with further study)

Strong field exposure and the AKSU brand, recognised by ADPs across South‑South Nigeria—give alumni an edge in competitive recruitment drives.