Writing a final year project (FYP) is a compulsory academic requirement for students in Nigerian universities and polytechnics. While many students struggle with how to write, an even bigger issue is not following the correct project format, which can lead to unnecessary mark deductions.

This guide explains the official and widely accepted final year project format in Nigeria, including:

• Approved preliminary pages
• Standard chapter structure
• Formatting rules (font, spacing, margins)
• Page numbering system
• Differences across institutions
• Common formatting mistakes to avoid

This format applies to most Nigerian universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and NOUN, unless your department states otherwise.

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1. Standard Final Year Project Structure in Nigeria

A Nigerian final year project is divided into three major parts:

1. Preliminary Pages
2. Main Chapters (Chapter 1–5 or 6)
3. References and Appendices

The order matters and should be followed strictly.

2. Preliminary Pages (Front Matter)

These pages come before Chapter One and are usually numbered using Roman numerals (i, ii, iii).

Approved Order of Preliminary Pages

1. Title Page
2. Declaration
3. Certification
4. Dedication
5. Acknowledgements
6. Abstract
7. Table of Contents
8. List of Tables
9. List of Figures
10. List of Abbreviations (optional)

2.1 Title Page Format

The title page must contain:

• Project title (maximum of 20–23 words recommended)
• Student full name
• Matriculation or registration number
• Department and Faculty
• Institution name
• Degree being awarded
• Month and year of submission

Example:

A PROJECT ON THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL BANKING ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
By
Mohammad Jamiu Babatunde Balogun
Matric No: CSC/2019/1042
A Project Submitted to the Department of Computer Science
Faculty of Science
University of Lagos
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc)
March, 2026

2.2 Declaration Page

A simple originality statement.

Sample:

I hereby declare that this project was carried out by me and has not been submitted elsewhere for the award of any degree.

2.3 Certification Page

Must be signed by:

• Project supervisor
• Head of Department
• External examiner (if required)

2.4 Dedication

Optional. Keep it short.

2.5 Acknowledgements

One page maximum. Appreciate:

• Supervisor
• Lecturers
• Family and friends
• Organizations or respondents

2.6 Abstract (Very Important)

The abstract is a summary of the entire project (150–300 words).

It should include:

• Background
• Methodology
• Key findings
• Conclusion or recommendations

Write the abstract last.

2.7 Table of Contents

• Must match final page numbers
• Auto-generate in Word if possible

3. Main Chapters (Approved Nigerian Format)

Most Nigerian institutions use five chapters, though some engineering and IT departments use six chapters.

Chapter One: Introduction

Standard Subheadings:

• Background of the Study
• Statement of the Problem
• Aim and Objectives
• Research Questions / Hypotheses
• Significance of the Study
• Scope and Limitations
• Definition of Terms

Chapter Two: Literature Review

Standard Subheadings:

• Conceptual Framework
• Theoretical Framework
• Review of Related Studies
• Summary and Research Gap

Chapter Three: Research Methodology

Standard Subheadings:

• Research Design
• Population of the Study
• Sample and Sampling Technique
• Instrument for Data Collection
• Validity and Reliability
• Procedure for Data Collection
• Method of Data Analysis

Chapter Four: Results / Data Analysis

Includes:

• Presentation of data
• Tables and figures
• Statistical analysis
• Interpretation of findings

Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

Standard Subheadings:

• Summary of Findings
• Conclusion
• Recommendations
• Suggestions for Further Research

Optional Chapter Six (Engineering / Computer Science)

Some departments use:

• Chapter Four: System Design & Implementation
• Chapter Five: Testing, Results & Discussion
• Chapter Six: Conclusion & Recommendations

Always confirm with your supervisor.

4. Final Year Project Formatting Rules in Nigeria

These rules are widely accepted nationwide.

5. Page Numbering Format

• Preliminary pages: Roman numerals (i, ii, iii)
• Chapter One onward: Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3)

Page numbers are usually placed at the bottom center or top right, depending on school guidelines.

6. Referencing Style

Most Nigerian institutions accept:

• APA (most common)
• Harvard
• MLA
• IEEE (Engineering)

Be consistent throughout the project.

7. Appendices Section

Placed after References.

May include:

• Questionnaires
• Raw data
• Interview transcripts
• Letters of introduction
• System screenshots
• Code snippets

8. Common Formatting Mistakes That Cost Students Marks

Avoid these:

• Wrong chapter order
• Missing abstract
• Incorrect font or spacing
• No page numbers
• Inconsistent headings
• Copying old project formats blindly
• Ignoring departmental guidelines

9. Important Note for Nigerian Students

While this format is standard nationwide, your department’s handbook overrides everything.

Always confirm:

• Number of chapters
• Line spacing
• Referencing style

If you want a step-by-step explanation of how to write each chapter with examples, see:

👉 How to Write Your Final Year Project in Nigeria: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

(This article focuses strictly on format.)

📙 Final Year Project Tools 🔥

FYP Report Generator — Generate full project chapters and citations.
https://fyp.monoed.africa

Project Topic Generator — Get supervisor-ready project topics instantly.
https://topics.monoed.africa

Reference Verifier — Quickly verify citations by checking authors, year, and DOI before submission.
https://refverify.monoed.africa

Conclusion

Understanding the correct final year project format in Nigeria can save you from losing easy marks. Supervisors may forgive weak writing, but they rarely forgive wrong structure or formatting.

Follow the approved structure, format neatly, and confirm department-specific rules early.

A well-formatted project already puts you ahead of 70% of students.

FAQs for Final Year Project Format in Nigeria

Q1: How many chapters should a final year project have in Nigeria?

Most projects have five chapters, but engineering and computer science projects may have six.

Q2: What font and size is approved for Nigerian final year projects?

Times New Roman, font size 12 is the standard.

Q3: Is 1.5 or double spacing required?

Most schools accept 1.5 line spacing, though some prefer double spacing.

Q4: Can the project format differ by school?

Yes. Always confirm with your department, but this guide reflects the nationally accepted structure.

Q5: Is APA referencing compulsory?

APA is the most commonly accepted, but some departments allow Harvard, MLA, or IEEE.