Research Journals in Nigeria: A Verified List

Need a list of journals in Nigeria? Here you will find a verified starter list of Nigerian research journals, giving each one's publisher, subject and reported indexing, together with advice on locating further titles, understanding fees and vetting a journal prior to submission. It is aimed at students, Ph.D. scholars and lecturers in Lagos, Nigeria; Ibadan, Nigeria; Kano, Nigeria; Port Harcourt, Nigeria and every other research city nationwide. Treat any list as a starting point and confirm the details on the journal's own website.

Scholarly Publishing in Nigeria

Among the biggest higher education systems in Africa is Nigeria's, where federal, state and private universities are accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). Journal articles matter a great deal for academic careers there, because most universities' appointment and promotion guidelines recognise refereed publications, and many faculties, colleges and professional associations run journals of their own.

Three broad categories cover most Nigerian journals. University and faculty journals — the Nigerian Journal of Technology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the Ife Journal of Science at Obafemi Awolowo University are examples — cover a whole discipline or faculty. Society and college journals, among them the Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics and the Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences, serve a professional community. The third category, medical journals published with international partners such as the Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice and the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal, is hosted on the Medknow / Wolters Kluwer platform and includes some of the most widely indexed Nigerian titles.

African Journals Online (AJOL) hosts a large number of Nigerian journals, so their abstracts can be found around the world. Part of the public funding for research and publishing at public tertiary institutions is provided through TETFund. Whatever the case, the appointments and promotions guidelines of your own university determine which journals count for you — certain universities stress Scopus or Web of Science, while others accept any reputable peer-reviewed journal — so request the present rule in writing.

Research Journals in Nigeria: The List

Each journal listed below comes from an identifiable Nigerian university, society or research body. The “reported coverage” column reflects what the journal or its publisher claims; before submitting, verify any indexing through Scopus Sources or the Master Journal List.

Verified on 4 October 2026 against each journal's site or its publisher. Use it as a starting point for Nigeria, and not as a ranking or a complete list.

Online Journal Platforms and Directories to Use

These platforms help you find Nigerian journals, assess their standing and verify the details. Every journal nonetheless keeps its own website and submission system.

Nigeria's Research Hubs

Publishing activity gathers around the big research universities, yet researchers in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory contribute. Major universities, and many of the journals covered here, are located in the cities below.

Picking the Right Journal

Decide on a journal while you are still writing. Three recent articles show whether the scope matches; the author guidelines give length and reference style; and your institution can say what it recognises, whether a national list, Scopus, Web of Science or plain peer review. Hold a reliable second choice for the case the first journal declines. Writing in a particular journal's format from the outset spares you rework.

Fees and Affordable Options

Fees for publishing in Nigeria differ greatly. Many university and society journals levy a review, page or processing fee in naira, decided by each journal; journals run with international partners may impose an article processing charge (APC) in US dollars; and some ask nothing of authors. Because amounts change, consult the “author guidelines” or “fees” page on the journal’s own website and disregard figures quoted in adverts or messages.

Costs stay manageable if you follow three rules: never pay before a genuine acceptance that comes with reviewer comments; use only the journal’s official payment channel and keep your receipt; and ask if a waiver is available. By comparison, JMVRA asks foreign authors for a single fee of $41 USD, due only after acceptance.

The full comparison method is laid out in our guide to low-cost journal publication, with checks that hold in Nigeria and everywhere else, and in how a low-fee journal funds its running costs.

Checking a Journal Step by Step

• Make sure the ISSN Portal lists the same ISSN and title.
• Find the publisher, the editors and a contact address by your own research.
• Read the peer review policy; a decision should come with reviewer comments.
• Check each indexing claim by searching the database itself.
• Charges ought to be stated in advance and requested only after acceptance.

Checklist Before You Submit a Manuscript

1. Journal vettedScope, requirement and indexing all checked
2. Template matchedLayout, citation format and length
3. Overlap check finishedAll sources cited, your own earlier papers included
4. Ethics addressedApproval, consent and conflicts of interest openly stated
5. Author names rightNames and affiliations as they are meant to appear
6. Cover letter at handWhy this paper belongs in this journal

Practical Tips for Nigerian Researchers Submitting Their Work

Nigeria has a very large academic community, and many authors are approached by journals they have never heard of. These tips help you protect your time, money and reputation while you publish.

• Be wary of unsolicited invitations. Flattering emails inviting you to submit are common. Do not respond until you have checked the journal independently, and be sceptical of any message that promises acceptance regardless of quality.
• Keep payment records safe. If a legitimate fee applies, pay only through official channels and keep receipts and correspondence. Clear records protect you if there is a later dispute or misunderstanding.
• Avoid paying for authorship. Never buy a place on a paper or sell one. Authorship must reflect real contribution, and institutions treat purchased authorship as a serious breach of integrity.
• Strengthen the literature review. Cite recent international work alongside Nigerian studies so your paper shows how it fits the wider conversation. A narrow reference list often leaves reviewers unconvinced about novelty.
• Allow time for revision rounds. Plan your submission well ahead of promotion deadlines. Reviewers often ask for changes, and rushing a revision to meet a date usually weakens the final paper.

Treat unsolicited offers with caution, keep authorship honest and give yourself enough time to revise properly.

Questions Researchers Often Ask

Summary and What to Do Next

Nigeria's journal scene is big and lively, spanning medical society journals as well as engineering and science titles that joined Scopus recently. Begin with the list above, apply your institution's rule, confirm each journal at its source, and keep a reliable backup option.

1. Ask your institution to confirm its publication requirement in writing.
2. Select candidate journals from the table and read their newest articles.
3. To confirm indexing, see our Nigeria guide to journals covered by Scopus and Web of Science.
4. Format the manuscript in the journal's template and send it via that journal's own website.

References and Sources

Checked on 4 October 2026. Indexing, fees and policies can change, so check them again before submitting.

• African Journals Online
• National Universities Commission
• TETFund
• Nigerian Journal of Technology
• Nigerian Journal of Technological Development
• Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences
• Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics
• Directory of Open Access Journals
• Scopus Sources
• Clarivate Master Journal List
• ISSN Portal