Best Academic Journals to Publish in Nigeria & How to Submit (2025 Guide)

Publishing in reputable academic journals is a major milestone for students, researchers, and academics in Nigeria. It adds credibility to your work, increases your visibility in the academic community, and can open doors for grants, promotions, and collaborations.

If you are wondering which academic journals are the best in Nigeria and how to successfully submit your paper, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know in 2025.

1. Why Publish in Nigerian Academic Journals?

Before we dive into the list, here’s why publishing locally can be beneficial:

• Visibility in the Nigerian academic community – Your work will be read and cited by colleagues, policymakers, and scholars in your field.
• Contribution to national research growth – You’ll be addressing local issues with solutions tailored to Nigeria’s context.
• Easier acceptance compared to high-impact international journals – Especially for early-career researchers.
• Fulfillment of academic requirements – Some universities mandate publication for graduation or promotion.

2. Top Academic Journals in Nigeria

Here’s a curated list of reputable Nigerian journals across different fields.

A. Multidisciplinary Journals

1. Nigerian Journal of Scientific Research (NJSR)
   • Publishes research across sciences, engineering, and applied fields.
   • Affiliated with various Nigerian universities.
2. Nigerian Journal of Technology (NIJOTECH) – University of Nigeria, Nsukka
   • Covers engineering, technology, and applied sciences.
   • Indexed in Scopus and Google Scholar.
3. African Journal of Reproductive Health (AJRH) – University of Benin
   • Focused on public health, reproductive medicine, and related fields.

B. Education & Social Sciences

1. Nigerian Journal of Educational Research and Evaluation (NJERE)
   • Covers educational theory, practice, and policy.
2. The African Journal of Social Sciences
   • Publishes work on sociology, anthropology, political science, and related fields.
3. Nigerian Journal of Economic and Social Studies (NJESS) – Nigerian Economic Society
   • Reputable for economics and policy research.

C. Science & Health

1. West African Journal of Medicine (WAJM)
   • Highly respected in medicine and clinical research.
2. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice (NJCP) – University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital
   • Indexed in PubMed and Scopus.
3. African Journal of Biotechnology – University of Ibadan
   • Covers agricultural, environmental, and industrial biotech research.

3. How to Submit Your Research to Nigerian Journals

Here’s the standard process:

Step 1 – Choose the Right Journal

• Match your topic with the journal’s scope.
• Check if the journal is indexed (Google Scholar, Scopus) to ensure credibility.

Step 2 – Read the Author Guidelines

• Download the journal’s “Instructions for Authors.”
• Pay attention to formatting (APA, MLA, Harvard, etc.), word count, and referencing style.

Step 3 – Prepare Your Manuscript

A standard academic paper should include:

1. Title Page – Title, author name(s), affiliation(s), contact details.
2. Abstract – 150–250 words summarizing your study.
3. Keywords – 4–6 searchable keywords.
4. Introduction – Problem statement, research objectives.
5. Literature Review – Summary of past studies.
6. Methodology – Data collection & analysis process.
7. Results – Tables, figures, and findings.
8. Discussion – Interpretation of results.
9. Conclusion & Recommendations
10. References – As per journal format.

Step 4 – Register & Submit Online

• Most Nigerian journals have an online submission portal or accept emails.
• Some may require a submission fee (usually ₦5,000 – ₦20,000).

Step 5 – Peer Review Process

• Your paper will be reviewed by experts.
• Be prepared to make revisions based on feedback.

4. Tips to Increase Your Chances of Acceptance

• Choose a fresh, relevant topic that contributes to your field.
• Follow formatting guidelines strictly – most rejections are due to poor formatting.
• Proofread thoroughly to avoid grammatical errors.
• Cite current literature – especially from the last five years.
• Avoid plagiarism – Use plagiarism checkers before submission.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting to predatory journals – Always verify legitimacy.
• Ignoring word count and formatting rules.
• Using outdated references.
• Poorly written abstracts.

6. Conclusion

Publishing in Nigerian academic journals is a valuable step for your career as a student or researcher. The key is to target reputable journals, follow their submission guidelines strictly, and ensure your work is well-structured and original.

If you need professional help with research writing, editing, or journal submission, ProPapers.com.ng can guide you from manuscript preparation to successful publication.