Top 10 Universities In Nigeria

Lofty Scholars made a list of the top 10 universities in Nigeria. They picked these universities based on things like being approved by Nigerian education groups, how they teach, and their education quality.

Even though Nigerian education has some problems, there are still some really good schools.

People who care about university education want to make sure students and staff have good health services, comfortable dorms, a nice atmosphere, good teaching, and help with things outside of classes.

Before we pick the top 10 universities in Nigeria, we need to look at some important things first.

Why study in Nigeria?

Nigeria is a big and important country in Africa and the world. It’s a great place to visit if you want to experience different cultures. When students from other countries come to study in Nigeria, they get to learn about the world in a way they wouldn’t if they stayed in their own country.

Can a foreigner study in Nigeria?

If you’re a student from another country and you want to study in Nigeria, you need to get a visa or a study permit to be allowed to do that.

What is the best age to enter university?

Usually, students need to be at least 18 years old to study, but the exact age requirement can differ depending on the rules of the school and the program you’re interested in.

How much is federal school fees in Nigeria?

In 2019, the typical yearly cost for bachelor’s degree programs in Nigeria was around 81.5 thousand Naira, which is roughly equal to 198 U.S. dollars.

Here are the top 10 Universities in Nigeria

1. Covenant University

Covenant University (CU) is a private Christian university in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. It’s connected to the Living Faith Church Worldwide and belongs to important academic groups like the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Association of African Universities, and National Universities Commission. In 2019, Times Higher Education ranked Covenant University as the first Nigerian university in the top 401-500 universities worldwide.

CU has four colleges where they teach different subjects: the College of Business and Social Sciences (CBSS), the College of Leadership Development Studies (CLDS), the College of Engineering (COE), and the College of Science and Technology (CST). They also have postgraduate programs for students who want to study more after their first degree.

The university has a stadium with various sports facilities like a swimming pool, tennis, table tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts. They’re part of the Nigeria Private University Games Association and encourage students to be active in sports.

2. The University of Ibadan

The University of Ibadan is a big public research university in Ibadan, Nigeria. It started in 1948 as University College Ibadan, part of the University of London. But in 1962, it became independent. It’s the oldest university in Nigeria that can give out degrees. This university has been really important in Nigeria’s growth in politics, business, money, and culture because of its graduates. Because of all this, it’s known as one of the best universities in Africa.

The University of Ibadan comprises 17 faculties, which are further divided into 92 academic departments. These faculties include Arts, Science, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Agriculture, Social Sciences, Education, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Technology, Law, Public Health, Dentistry, Economics and Management Sciences, Renewable Natural Resources, Environmental Design and Management, and Multidisciplinary Studies. The Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Public Health, and Dentistry are organized as the College of Medicine.

The university also has several other academic units, such as the Institute of Child Health, Institute of Education, Institute of African Studies, Centre for Child Adolescent and Mental Health, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI), Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training (IAMRAT), Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Centre for Drug Discovery, Development & Production (CDDDP), and Centre for Control & Prevention of Zoonosis (CCPZ). The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), School of Business (UISB), and National Institute for Maternal, Child & Neonatal Health (NIMCNH) are new additions that have started operating recently.

3. Ahmadu Bello University

Ahmadu Bello University is a research university that belongs to the Nigerian government. It’s in Zaria, Kaduna State. They started it on October 4, 1962, and it was the first university in Northern Nigeria. It’s named after Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, who was the first leader of Northern Nigeria, also called the Sardauna of Sokoto.

The university has two campuses: Samaru (the main one) and Kongo, both in Zaria. There’s also a pre-degree school in Funtua, not too far from the main campus.

At the Samaru campus, they have offices and teach subjects like science, social studies, arts, education, design, engineering, medicine, and agriculture. They also do research there.

The Kongo campus is where they teach Law and Administration, which includes Accounting, Business Administration, Local Government and Development Studies, and Public Administration. Besides these, ABU is in charge of other schools and programs in different places.

4. University of Ilorin

The University of Ilorin, also referred to as Unilorin, is a federal government-owned institution located in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. In August 1975, the federal military government established the university through a decree. The establishment was aimed at implementing the educational directive of the Third National Development Plan, which sought to create more opportunities for Nigerians to acquire university education and generate high-level manpower essential for the rapidly expanding economy.

Unilorin has one of the biggest campuses in Nigeria. It covers around 15,000 hectares of land. In 2021, it was the university most students wanted to go to, according to JAMB, which is the agency that helps people get into universities in Nigeria.

5. University of Lagos

The University of Lagos, also known as UNILAG, is a big public research school in Lagos, Nigeria. It started in 1962 and is one of the oldest universities in Nigeria. UNILAG is known as one of the top universities in the world, according to important education rankings.

The university has three campuses in Lagos: two in Yaba (the main one in Akoka and a new one at the old School of Radiography), and its College of Medicine in Idi-Araba, Surulere. The main campus is close to the Lagos lagoon and covers 802 acres of land. UNILAG accepts more than 9,000 new undergraduate students each year and has more than 57,000 students in total.

In 2020, they made a group to look into what the university was doing from 2016 to 2020. They found that some top officials had been using money in the wrong way. So, they told the university to close its bank accounts with commercial banks. On October 7, 2022, Folasade Ogunsola became the first female vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos.

6. Obafemi Awolowo University

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is a university that the Nigerian government owns. It’s in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, and they started it in 1961. The first classes began in October 1962, and it was called the “University of Ife” back then. The government of Western Nigeria, led by Samuel Ladoke Akintola, started it. They changed the name to “Obafemi Awolowo University” on May 12, 1987, to honor Obafemi Awolowo, who came up with the idea for the university and was the first leader of the Western Region of Nigeria.

OAU has 13 faculties and two colleges: the Postgraduate College and the College of Health Sciences. These groups run more than 60 departments. OAU teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in lots of different subjects, including humanities, arts, science, social studies, medicine, engineering, and technology. Before, OAU was connected to Loma Linda University in California, US.

7. University of Nigeria

The University of Nigeria, also called UNN, is a federal university in the eastern part of Nigeria, specifically in Nsukka, Enugu State. Nnamdi Azikiwe started it in 1955, and they officially opened it on October 7th, 1960. This university has four campuses: Nsukka, Enugu, Ituku-Ozalla, and Aba in Abia State.

UNN is special because it’s the first university in Nigeria that’s completely Nigerian and independent. It’s based on the American way of education. It’s also known as the first land-grant university in Africa and is one of the top five good universities in Nigeria. The university has 15 faculties and 102 academic departments. They offer 108 different programs for undergraduate students and 211 programs for students who want to study more after their first degree.

In October 2010, the university had its 50th birthday, and it was supposed to celebrate its 60th in October 2020, but they had to delay it because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

8. Federal University Of Technology Minna

The Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA) is a university that the Nigerian government owns. It’s in Minna, and its main focus is on teaching about technology.

FUTMINNA is really good at biotechnology and genetic engineering. They know how to make vaccines and medicines.

They started FUTMINNA in 1983, and the first leader was Professor J.O. Ndagi, who served from 1983 to 1990. There are two groups that make the rules for the university, the Council and the Senate. At first, they used the buildings from the old Government Teachers’ College Bosso. Now, they use the Bosso Campus all the time.

The main campus of the university is called Gidan Kwano, and it’s along the Minna – Kataeregi – Bida Road. It’s really big, covering 10,650 hectares of land. The university is known in the Guide to Higher Education in Africa, the Association of African Universities, and the International Association of Universities from 1999.

9. University of Benin

The University of Benin is a public research university in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The government owns it, and they started it in 1970. The university has two campuses and fifteen faculties, including a big library called the John Harris Library. But the buildings in UNIBEN are spread out and not close to each other.

UNIBEN also has a teaching hospital called the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). It’s a large place that gives special medical care in different areas. There are also different parts in the hospital like SERVICOM, Medical Records, places for nurses and doctors to stay, laundry services, and places to eat, among other things.

10. The Federal University of Technology, Akure

The Federal University of Technology Akure, also called FUT Akure or FUTA, is a university owned by the Nigerian government. It’s in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. They started it in 1981 because the government wanted universities that teach both practical and theoretical technology stuff.

FUTA has a college of medicine and nine schools, which are: College of Health Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences (SBMS), School of Basic Clinical Sciences (SBCS), School of Clinical Sciences (SCS), School of Computing (SOC), School of Life Science (SLS), School of Physical Science (SPS), School of Earth and Mineral Sciences (SEMS), School of Environmental Technology (SET), School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET), School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT), School of Logistics and Innovation Technology (SLIT), School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS)

The university offers pre-degree science programs, short-term courses, and university advanced basic science programs.

Conclusion

To get into these good Nigerian schools, you need to do well in your O’Level exams and score high enough on the JAMB test. When you’re filling out your JAMB forms, make sure to say which schools you want to go to. Also, remember that the cut-off scores can be different for different types of schools, like federal, state, polytechnic, or college of education.