Nigerian universities are often not rated by many Nigerians due to the incessant strike actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions. The union has downed tools for a total of two years and four months since 1999.
Nigerians have, therefore, found succour in private universities. Although these institutions are thought to be bereft of the kind of personnel their public counterparts boast of, they are considered better due to the uninterrupted academic calendar they enjoy.
However, when universities are ranked in Nigeria, public universities manage to upstage their private counterparts.
Top 20 best universities in Nigeria
Nigeria’s economy and population are constantly expanding, and the country has one of the highest youth populations in the world. The nation boasts a thriving higher education sector with 152 universities established and accredited by the Nigeria University Commission. Below are the top 20 best universities in Nigeria today.
University of Ibadan
When this university was first established, it was a college affiliated with the University of London. In 1962, it received university status. It is situated in Oyo State’s capital, Ibadan.
RECTE SAPERE FONS, the organization’s motto, translates as RIGHT THINKING IS THE FOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE.
One of Nigeria’s top universities is the University of Ibadan. It has produced many top leaders, including Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and many others.
Covenant University, Ota
The first private university on this list, it was founded in 2002, is situated in Ota, and its official colour is purple. RAISING A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERS is the school’s motto. Celebrities like singer Simi, actress Ini Dima -Okojie, comedian Maraji, and many others have attended this university.
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
It was established in 1962 under the name University of Ife. It produced Nobel Prize winners and was one of Africa’s top educational systems.
This institution is in Ile-Ife, and its official colours are midnight blue and gold. Its motto is FOR LEARNING AND CULTURE.
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University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe founded this institution in 1955 but wasn’t formally opened and recognised until 1960. It has four campuses and has produced numerous prominent individuals like Godwin Emiefele, Peter Obi and others.
There are 102 departments and 15 faculties at this university. Its colour is green, and its motto is TO RESTORE THE DIGNITY OF MAN.
University of Lagos
It is commonly referred to as Unilag and is a federally funded institution of higher learning situated in Lagos State. Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe is the institution’s current vice-chancellor. It was established in the year 1962.
With one of the greatest populations in the nation, this university has maintained its position as one of the best institutions of higher learning. Additionally, it is one of the first universities in the country to be supervised and accredited by NUC.
They’ve been referred to as the pride of the country and the top university. This university’s colours are maroon and gold, with more than 12 faculties. This institution, which has IN DEED AND TRUTH as its motto, is situated in Yaba, Lagos State.
University of Port Harcourt
UNIPORT, as it is also known, was founded in 1975 and initially run as a University College. It operated as a university college for two years before becoming a university in 1977.
UNIPORT was ranked as the sixth-best African university in 2015 by the Times Higher Education edition. There are 12 faculties at this university. Its logo is FOR ENLIGHTENMENT AND SELF RELIANCE, and its colours are blue and white.
Federal University of Technology Akure
This institution is located in Akure, the Ondo State capital. It was established in 1981 and has purple and blue as its corporate colours. TECHNOLOGY FOR SELF-RELIANCE is its motto. It comprises nine faculties and three campuses: Obanla, Obakekere, and the centre for entrepreneurship.
Ahmadu Bello University
Also referred to as ABU, it was named after Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Premier of Northern Nigeria and the Sardauna of Sokoto. It contains 82 departments, a post-graduate school, 12 faculties, and two campuses. Its hues are blue and green and is situated in Zaria, Kaduna.
Landmark University, Kwara
The second private university on our list, Landmark University, is situated in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, and it was founded in 2011. Its motto is BREAKING NEW GROUNDS and its official colours are green, brown, and gold.
It was founded by Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, and going by the moniker Pathfinders. The general overseer of the church, Dr. David O. Oyedepo, serves as its chancellor.
Federal University of Technology, Minna
Its official hues are sky-blue, cream, and purple. It was established in 1982, and its mission statement is TECHNOLOGY FOR EMPOWERMENT. It’s in the state of Niger.
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Bayero University Kano
Bayero University Kano (BUK) is located in Kano, Kano State, Nigeria. It was established in 1975, when it changed its name from Bayero University College and became a university. It is the state of Kano’s first university.
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
LAUTECH is the abbreviation for this Ogbomoso-based institution. Its motto is EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY, AND SERVICE, and it was founded in 1990. It is a public university.
Umar Faruq Umar is the current chancellor. One is located in Oyo, and the other is in Oshogbo.
University of Benin
Popularly known as UNIBEN, the institution gained popularity when Prof. Grace Alele-Williams was appointed Vice-Chancellor, making her the first female vice-chancellor in Nigeria. It was established in 1970. Its official colours are purple and gold. It is situated in Ugbowo, in Benin City, Edo State. KNOWLEDGE AND CHARACTER is its motto.
Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti
Ekiti State University was founded as Obafemi Awolowo University, Ado-Ekiti, before the name was changed to Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti. It was founded on March 30, 1982, under the direction of Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, the first civilian governor of Ondo State. The university holds membership in the Association of Commonwealth Universities. It may be reached by car in 12 minutes or less from the Ado-Ekiti city centre in Western Nigeria’s Ekiti State.
University of Calabar
In Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, there is a public institution called the University of Calabar. It belongs to the second generation of federal universities in Nigeria. Up until 1975, the University of Nigeria had a campus at the University of Calabar. Vice-Chancellor Florence B. Obi is in charge. Angela Oyo Ita holds the position of DVC (Academic), and Michal Okom is the DVC (Administration)
University of Uyo
Used to be known as the University of Cross River State, the University of Uyo was established on October 1, 1991, by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The former University of Cross River State, founded by Cross River State in 1983, left all of its facilities, students, faculty, and academic programmes to the university. It must be noted that what is now the University of Uyo underwent some transformations. As it developed, it went from being a Teacher’s College (TC) to an Advanced Teacher’s College (ATC), a College of Education (COE), which partnered with the University of Port Harcourt to offer degree programmes, to a State University (UNICROSS), and finally to its current status in 1991.
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Adekunle Ajasin University
This institution was founded in 1982 and has campuses at Ikare Akoko and Akungba Akoko in the state of Ondo. FOR LEARNING AND FOR SERVICE is its slogan. It is a state institution. To remember and immortalise the late Governor Ajasin, who served as Governor of the former Ondo State, the institution’s name was changed from Ondo State University to Adekunle Ajasin University.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, often known as UNIZIK or NAU. It has two campuses in the state of Anambra. While one of its campuses is in Nnewi, the other is in Awka, the state capital of Anambra. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has more campuses. These include Ifite-Ogwuari in the Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State and Agulu in the Aniocha Local Government region. It is one of the federal universities under the National Universities Commission’s supervision and accreditation. The college bears Nnamdi Azikiwe’s name.
University of Ilorin, Kwara
It was established in 1976. It was among the top 20 institutions in Africa and the first from Nigeria to be on the list; it currently has roughly 15 faculties. It is in the city of Ilorin, as suggested by the name, and its motto is Probitas Doctrina, which translates to CHARACTER AND LEARNING.
Federal University of Technology, Owerri
Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) is located in Owerri, the state capital of Imo State. The towns of Eziobodo, Umuchima, Ihiagwa, and Obinze are located on each side of the university. In the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria, it is one of the top federal universities of technology.
Editor’s note: This ranking was compiled using data from Webometrics
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