Writing a case study can feel overwhelming for many Nigerian students, whether you’re in undergraduate, postgraduate, or professional programs. This is especially true if your supervisor expects you to produce work that is both academically sound and practically relevant. But the good news is that case studies are not as intimidating as they seem, once you know the structure and process.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through a simple 7-step format tailored for Nigerian university students. Whether you’re writing for a business, education, health, or social science course, these steps will help you produce a clear, concise, and high-scoring case study.
1. Understand the Purpose of the Case Study
Before you start writing, be clear about why you are doing the case study. A case study is an in-depth investigation of a single situation, problem, person, group, or organization, aimed at uncovering insights and lessons.
In Nigerian universities, case studies are often used to:
- Apply classroom theories to real-life situations.
- Analyze a problem and propose solutions.
- Evaluate the success or failure of a particular approach.
Tip: If your supervisor hasn’t specified, ask whether they want a descriptive case study (just the facts) or an analytical case study (facts plus your interpretation).
2. Choose and Justify Your Case
The case you choose should be relevant, interesting, and manageable. For example:
- A business student might choose a local SME struggling with marketing.
- A public health student might study how a rural clinic is handling malaria cases.
- A law student could explore a landmark court case in Nigeria.
Key points to include when justifying your choice:
- Why this case is relevant to your course or research.
- How it will help answer your research question.
- Accessibility to data (you need enough information to make your study credible).
3. Gather Data (Primary & Secondary)
A strong case study is built on evidence, not assumptions. In Nigeria, you can collect data through:
Primary Data (you collect yourself):
- Interviews with people involved.
- Observations of events or activities.
- Surveys or questionnaires.
Secondary Data (existing sources):
- Reports, articles, and publications.
- Company documents.
- Government statistics.
Tip: Always cross-check facts, especially if you’re using online sources. Not everything you read on Nigerian blogs is accurate.
4. Structure Your Case Study
A well-structured case study helps the reader follow your analysis without confusion. Here’s a simple 7-step structure that works for most Nigerian university projects:
Step 1: Title Page
Include your case study title, your name, department, matric number, and submission date.
Step 2: Introduction
Briefly introduce the topic, the case, and why it matters. State your research objectives and questions.
Step 3: Background of the Case
Provide context — history, setting, and key facts about the case. This helps the reader understand the situation before diving into the problem.
Step 4: Problem Statement
Clearly define the main problem or challenge the case presents.
Step 5: Analysis
Apply relevant theories, models, or frameworks from your course to analyze the case. For example:
- SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) for business cases.
- Root Cause Analysis for public health or engineering cases.
Step 6: Solutions/Recommendations
Propose realistic solutions or strategies, explaining why they would work. Back up your suggestions with evidence from your research.
Step 7: Conclusion
Summarize the main findings and their implications. Keep it brief but impactful.
5. Use Simple, Clear Language
Academic writing in Nigeria sometimes gets overcomplicated with “big grammar.” But clarity is more important than showing off vocabulary. Use short sentences and avoid jargon unless you explain it.
Example:
Instead of writing:
“The socio-economic disposition of the enterprise was retrogressively affected by exogenous macroeconomic variables.”
Write:
“The business suffered losses due to external economic factors.”
6. Reference Properly
Plagiarism is taken seriously in Nigerian universities. Always give credit when you use someone else’s work.
Common referencing styles used in Nigeria:
- APA (Social Sciences, Education, Business).
- Harvard (Management, Humanities).
- MLA (Literature, Arts).
- Chicago (History, Law).
7. Proofread Before Submission
Small errors can make your work look unprofessional. Always:
- Check grammar and spelling.
- Ensure facts are accurate.
- Verify your references.
- Read aloud to catch awkward sentences.
If possible, ask a friend to read your case study and give feedback before you submit.
Final Thoughts
Case study writing doesn’t have to be stressful. By following this 7-step format, understanding the purpose, choosing the right case, gathering solid data, and presenting it clearly, you can create a piece of work that impresses your lecturers and boosts your grades.
If you find yourself short on time or unsure about your structure, ProPapers.com.ng offers expert academic writing support for Nigerian students, including case studies, research papers, and final year projects. We make sure your work is original, well-structured, and approved fast.
