If you’re planning to japa from Nigeria and start a better life abroad, the course you study is one of the most powerful tools that can open doors for you.
Certain courses are in high demand in countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, the US, and across Europe.
These courses not only increase your chances of getting a job abroad but also make it easier to get permanent residency or long-term work visas.
So, if your goal is to leave Nigeria legally and settle abroad, the smartest decision is to pick a course that aligns with global labour market needs.
- 1. Nursing and Other Health-Related Courses
- 2. Medicine and Surgery
- 3. Information Technology (IT) and Computer Science
- 4. Engineering Courses
- 5. Law (With International Specialization)
- 6. Education and Teaching
- 7. Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
- 8. Accounting, Finance, and Economics
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- 9. Architecture and Urban Planning
- 10. Conclusion: Choose With Your Destination in Mind
1. Nursing and Other Health-Related Courses
Nursing stands out as one of the most effective courses to study in Nigeria if you want to japa. Countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and even the US are desperately looking for qualified nurses.
Nigeria’s nursing graduates are recognized globally, and with an additional licensing exam like NCLEX (for the US) or CBT and OSCE (for the UK), you can secure employment within months.
Nursing also offers routes to permanent residency, especially in Canada and Australia, through their skilled migration pathways. Other in-demand health-related courses include:
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Radiography
- Physiotherapy
- Pharmacy
- Public Health
- Dental Therapy
These programs open pathways to postgraduate study, direct employment, or skilled worker immigration schemes abroad.
Most foreign countries now classify healthcare as a “critical sector,” meaning you receive fast-track visa processing, relocation support, and even job sponsorship.
2. Medicine and Surgery
Medicine is a no-brainer when it comes to relocating abroad. Medical doctors from Nigeria are making their way into countries like the UK through the PLAB exam pathway, into the US through USMLE, and into Canada through the MCCQE and NAC OSCE.
The demand is high, and the pay is excellent.
After graduation, with proper licensing exams and documentation, you can be working abroad in under two years.
What makes Medicine even more appealing is that many countries now run fast-track immigration for foreign-trained doctors, especially those from Africa.
3. Information Technology (IT) and Computer Science
If you’re interested in japa-ing to countries like Germany, the US, Canada, or the Netherlands, IT is one of the most powerful tools in your hands.
These countries are dealing with massive skill shortages in tech and are actively recruiting foreign talents in fields like:
- Software Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Data Science
- Cloud Computing
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- DevOps Engineering
- UI/UX Design
Even without a tech degree, you can take tech certifications and bootcamps, but having a Computer Science or related degree gives you an upper hand.
Germany’s Blue Card system, Canada’s Express Entry tech draws, and Australia’s Global Talent visa all prioritize skilled IT professionals.
You can learn more about the Germany Blue Card here: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com.
4. Engineering Courses
Engineering is another solid course to study in Nigeria if you have plans to japa. Countries across the world are actively recruiting engineers in various specializations such as:
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical/Electronics Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Software and Systems Engineering
- Mechatronics
- Petroleum Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
For Canada and Australia, engineers are on their skilled occupation lists, giving you a faster route to permanent residency.
The UK also recruits engineers through their skilled worker visa, and Germany offers jobs to non-EU engineers with work permits.
To make the most of your engineering degree, ensure you get internship experience, professional certifications, and your transcript ready.
Countries like Canada assess your engineering degree through licensing bodies like Engineers Canada or state-specific regulators.
5. Law (With International Specialization)
Law might not be the fastest path to japa, but with the right specialization, it can unlock powerful global opportunities.
If you study international law, human rights law, corporate law, or immigration law, you can position yourself for postgraduate studies or internships in countries like the UK, US, and Canada.
To practice abroad, you’ll likely need additional qualifications. For example, in the UK, you can take the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
In the US, only certain states allow foreign-trained lawyers to sit for the bar exam, like New York and California.
Many Nigerian lawyers use the law degree as a stepping stone to do postgraduate law degrees (LLM) abroad, and from there transition into legal careers, international NGOs, or compliance roles in multinational companies.
6. Education and Teaching
Teachers are among the most needed professionals globally. The UK, for example, added secondary school teachers in Maths, Physics, and Computer Science to their shortage occupation list. You can check the current list here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations.
Studying education in Nigeria and gaining at least one year of teaching experience qualifies you to apply for teaching jobs in the UK and Middle East.
Some of these positions even come with visa sponsorship and relocation support. Other countries like Canada and Australia also offer skilled migration routes for experienced teachers.
The key here is to specialize in STEM education or special education, both of which are high-demand sectors worldwide.
7. Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are investing heavily in sustainable agriculture, food security, and environmental conservation. If you study courses like:
- Agronomy
- Animal Science
- Soil Science
- Agricultural Economics
- Environmental Management
- Forestry
- Fisheries and Aquaculture
You can qualify for provincial nominee programs, postgraduate study, or jobs related to food processing, sustainable farming, or climate action.
Canada’s Atlantic Immigration Program and Agri-Food Immigration Pilot are perfect examples where agricultural skills are welcomed.
You can read more about the Agri-Food Pilot here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/agri-food-pilot.html
8. Accounting, Finance, and Economics
Accounting is a globally respected profession. Countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia recognize qualifications such as ACCA, CPA, and CIMA.
If you study Accounting or Finance in Nigeria and pursue international certification, your chances of getting jobs abroad increase drastically.
In the UK, chartered accountants are included in the skilled worker visa program. Canada’s NOC list includes financial auditors and accountants.
By combining your degree with work experience and certification, you can build a solid relocation plan.
Finance graduates can also pursue careers in business analytics, compliance, or fintech, especially when backed with skills in data analysis or financial modelling.
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Pharmacists are highly sought after in countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia.
Although you’ll need to pass licensing exams in your destination country, the demand for pharmaceutical professionals is rising due to an aging population and growing healthcare needs.
In the UK, the GPhC oversees the process for international pharmacy graduates.
In Canada, the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) evaluates foreign-trained pharmacists.
After passing these exams and completing internship requirements, you can become a licensed pharmacist abroad.
9. Architecture and Urban Planning
Urban development is booming in advanced economies, and with a degree in Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, or Landscape Design, you can enter a wide range of job markets.
Countries like Canada and Australia list architects as in-demand occupations. While licensing exams are usually required, a Master’s degree abroad can fast-track this process.
You can also find roles in project management, construction consultancy, and real estate development, especially if you combine your degree with tools like AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM.
10. Conclusion: Choose With Your Destination in Mind
Not every course gives you equal global opportunities. If you’re planning to japa, your course must match the job shortages abroad.
The countries that are easiest to migrate to—like Canada, the UK, Australia, and Germany—have clear immigration systems based on what they need. Nursing, IT, Engineering, Medicine, and Accounting consistently rank among the best paths to get in.
Avoid courses with limited international value unless you already have a relocation plan through postgraduate study, scholarships, or job sponsorship.
Your degree is your passport—pick wisely.
For job sponsorship roles abroad, you can check platforms like:
- https://www.jobbank.gc.ca – Canada’s official job site
- https://www.jobs.nhs.uk – NHS jobs for healthcare professionals in the UK
- https://www.seek.com.au – Australia’s top job board
- https://www.make-it-in-germany.com – German work visa and job portal
Choose a course that opens international doors. Don’t just study to graduate—study to relocate.
