Nigeria CGPA to US GPA Converter
Convert a Nigerian 5-point CGPA to a US 4.0 GPA, and check which degree classification it falls into.
Nigerian CGPA to US GPA
Second Class Upper (2:1) · 60-69%
Class boundaries follow the NUC Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards used by accredited Nigerian universities.
Conversions are approximate. For official applications, use a NACES evaluator such as WES.
Nigerian CGPA, degree class and US GPA
Class boundaries follow the NUC Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards, which every accredited Nigerian university applies.
| CGPA (5-point) | Degree classification | Approx. US GPA |
|---|---|---|
| 4.50 – 5.00 | First Class Honours | 3.7 – 4.0 |
| 3.50 – 4.49 | Second Class Upper (2:1) | 3.3 – 3.7 |
| 2.40 – 3.49 | Second Class Lower (2:2) | 2.7 – 3.0 |
| 1.50 – 2.39 | Third Class | 2.0 – 2.3 |
| 1.00 – 1.49 | Pass | 1.0 – 1.7 |
| Below 1.00 | Fail | 0.0 |
Conversion formulas
- Course grade points: A (70–100%) = 5, B (60–69%) = 4, C (50–59%) = 3, D (45–49%) = 2, E (40–44%) = 1, F (below 40%) = 0.
- CGPA: CGPA = Σ(grade point × course units) ÷ Σ(units) — credit-weighted, the same structure as a US GPA.
Why you should not just rescale 5 to 4
The obvious move is to multiply by 0.8 — a 4.0 out of 5 becoming a 3.2 out of 4. Credential evaluators do not do this, and it will understate a strong Nigerian degree. A 4.0 CGPA in Nigeria is a Second Class Upper, which reads as roughly a 3.3–3.7 US GPA, not 3.2, because the grade boundaries sit in different places. An A in Nigeria starts at 70%, while a US A generally starts at 93%.
What admissions offices actually read is the classification. Lead with “Second Class Upper” or “First Class” on applications; the numeric conversion is supporting detail.
WAEC is a different system
Secondary results from WAEC or NECO use A1–F9, where A1 is the best and C6 is the minimum credit pass most universities require. That scale is unrelated to the 5-point university CGPA and does not convert into it — you will be asked for both separately on an application, and each is evaluated on its own terms.
Applying abroad with a Nigerian degree
For US graduate programmes, a credential evaluator such as WES will recalculate your CGPA course by course and issue the figure admissions acts on. For the UK, a 2:1 in Nigeria is read against the UK honours system directly, since the classifications share names and broadly similar standards.
Where these figures come from
We have not yet traced this country’s band mapping to a single body that publishes it. The table reflects the scales used by the institutions we checked, and grading practice varies between them — so treat it as an orientation rather than an authority, and confirm the boundaries with the institution that issued the transcript. If you know the official source, tell us and we will cite it.
Conversions are approximate by nature. For official admissions, use a NACES credential evaluator such as WES and confirm with your institution.
Nigeria conversion FAQ
What is 4.0 CGPA in Nigeria in US GPA?
A 4.0 on the Nigerian 5-point scale is a Second Class Upper (2:1) and reads as roughly a 3.3–3.7 US GPA — not 3.2. Rescaling 5 to 4 arithmetically understates it.
What CGPA is First Class in Nigeria?
A CGPA of 4.50 to 5.00 on the 5-point scale, under the NUC Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards.
What CGPA is Second Class Upper?
3.50 to 4.49. It is the classification most postgraduate programmes and graduate employers look for.
Is 3.5 CGPA good in Nigeria?
Yes — 3.50 is the bottom of the Second Class Upper band, which is a strong result and the usual minimum for competitive postgraduate admission.
How is CGPA calculated in Nigerian universities?
Multiply each course’s grade point (A = 5 down to F = 0) by its credit units, add them up, and divide by total units. It is credit-weighted, so a grade in a 4-unit course moves your CGPA more than the same grade in a 2-unit course.
Does WAEC convert to CGPA?
No. WAEC uses A1–F9 for secondary school and is assessed separately from the university 5-point CGPA. Applications ask for both.
Grade conversion for other countries
Converting a transcript from somewhere else? These pages use each country's own grading scale.