As the most populated country in Africa, Nigeria is home to over 130 universities and several polytechnics, Monotechnic and Colleges of Educations. Some of these universities are owned by the federal and state governments, while few are privately owned.
If you are Nigerian or a foreigner looking to study in the best university of Nigeria, then look no further. Fatherprada had listed the best universities in Nigeria with no sentiment attached.
These list of best universities in Nigeria in no ranking order is provided for informational purposes only and you should not act on the basis of the content of this page. The information contained in this page is derived from data obtained from sources believed by Fatherprada to be reliable and in good faith, but no warranties or guarantees with regard to the accuracy, completeness or suitability of the content.
Any opinions expressed reflect the current judgment of Fatherprada and may change without notice. Without further ado, it is expedient I mention here that, although admission is governed by JAMB, each of these best universities in Nigeria listed here (in no ranking order) has its own admission requirements and policies which you must adhere to before you can be given admission.
These are the list of best universities in Nigeria
University of Ilorin:
The University of Ilorin is not only one of the best university in Nigeria, but it is also one of the foremost universities in the sub-Saharan African with an uninterrupted academic programme for over 16 years. Its products have excelled in several sectors nationally and internationally and compared to other higher institutions of learning in the country, the institution has one of the largest landmass covering approximately 5000 hectares of land
The university operates the faculties and collegiate system. They are; Agriculture, Arts, Communication & Information Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Education, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Science, Life Science, Law, Management Sciences, Pharmaceutical Science, Physical Science, Social Sciences and Veterinary Medicine
Additional Information:
- Founded in 1975
- Students Population – 50,000+
- Federal
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance
- Semester system
- Location: Urban
- Multi-Campus
- Acceptance rate 49%
- Offers Postgraduates
- Research Centers
Ahmadu Bello University:
Ahmadu Bello University is one of the best university of Nigeria and has no rival among the northern universities. This federal government research university runs a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs (and offers associate degrees and vocational and remedial programs). The university has a large medical program with its own
A.B.U. Teaching Hospital, one of the largest teaching hospitals in Nigeria and Africa.
The university operates the faculties system and has five of such colleges. They are Agriculture, Arts, Education, Engineering, Environmental Design, Law, Life Sciences, Medicine, Physical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Social Science and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Additional Information:
- Founded in 1962
- Enrollment – 25,000+
- Federal/Public
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance
- Semester system
- Location: Urban
- Two Campus
- Acceptance rate 90%
- Offers Postgraduates
- 16 research centres
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Covenant University:
With the mandate to revolutionize the educational landscape of Africa, Covenant University has grown to become one of the best university of Nigeria. This is a private which aim to build a world-class university that will be a pride of Africa as well as take its place among the Ivy league Universities on the global platform.
The university operates a collegiate system and has five of such colleges. They are Business and Social Sciences, Engineering, Leadership Development Studies and College of Science and Technology.
Additional Information:
- Founded in 2002
- Enrollment – 6,000+
- Private
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance
- Semester system
- Location: Suburban
- Single Campus
- Acceptance rate 90%
- Offers Postgraduates
- Research Centre
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Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta:
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta is the best university of Nigeria to study any course related to Agriculture. Although most universities in Nigeria teach agricultural courses, you cannot compare them with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta because that is what the university was built for. The distinguishing feature of UNAAB’s mandate is its tripodal nature, comprising teaching, research and extension functions.
The university operates a collegiate system and has five of such colleges. They are Engineering, Food Sciences & Human Ecology, Environmental Resources Management, Agricultural Management & Rural Development, Animal Science & Livestock Production, Veterinary Medicine, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Management Sciences, Plant Science and Crop Production
Additional Information:
- Founded in 1988
- Enrollment – 20,000+
- Federal
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance
- Semester system
- Location: Rural
- Single Campus
- Acceptance rate 45%
- Offers Postgraduates
- Research Centre
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Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun:
Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, is the best university in Nigeria to study any course related to Oil and Gas. It is Nigeria’s Premier Petroleum University. It is also the first of its kind in Africa and it is destined to be the premier international institution-of-choice with the state-of-the-art facilities to provide the petroleum and allied sectors, world-class education, training, research, consultancy and extension services.
The university operates a collegiate system and has two of such colleges. They are the College of Science and College of technology.
Additional Information:
- Founded in 2007
- Enrollment – 2,000+
- Federal
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance
- Semester system
- Location: Suburban
- Single Campus
- Acceptance rate: 40%
- Offers Postgraduates
- Research Center
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The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA):
The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) is the best university in Nigeria to study any course related to technology and engineering. FUTA is a top-ranking university of technology in Nigeria and indeed the nation’s pride.
Since her establishment in 1981, the university has grown tremendously, stretching its academic disciplines and research across eight different schools and over fifty academic departments.
The university operates the school system and has eight such schools. They are Science, Earth and Mineral Sciences, Environmental Technology, Engineering and Engineering Technology, Agricultural and Agricultural Technology, Management Technology, Health and Health Technology, School of Computing.
Additional Information:
- Founded in 1981
- Enrollment – 15,000+
- Federal
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance
- Semester system
- Location: Urban
- Multi-Campus
- Acceptance rate: 45%
- Offers Postgraduates
- Research Centers
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Obafemi Awolowo University:
Obafemi Awolowo University, whose mission is to nurture a teaching and learning community; advance frontiers of knowledge; engender a sense of selfless public service; and add value to African culture is one the best university of Nigeria and they have for a long time produce graduate of international standard, with appropriate knowledge and skills in their field of study.
With over 18 research centres, they are also one the few universities that operate as an equal opportunity educational institution, sensitive to the principle of gender equity and non-discriminatory on the basis of race,
ethnicity, religion or physical disability.
The university operates the faculties system and has eight of such faculties. They are Administration, Agriculture, Arts, Education, Environmental Design & Management, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dentistry, Law, Pharmacy, Sciences, Technology and Social Sciences.
Additional Information:
- Founded in 1961
- Students – 35,000+
- Federal
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance
- Semester system
- Location: Urban
- Multi-Campus
- Acceptance rate: 51%
- Offers Postgraduates
- 18 Research Centers
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Bayero University Kano:
Bayero University Kano is one of the best university of Nigeria from the north. This federal government university runs more than 11 research centre and known to be the only university in Nigeria with the International Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIIBF).
The university operates the faculties system. They are Agriculture, Arts and Islamic Studies, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Computer Science and Info. Tech., Communications, Dentistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Education, Engineering, Law, Life Sciences, Social and Management Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Physical Sciences
Additional Information:
- Founded in 1977
- Enrollment – 40,000+
- Federal/Public
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance
- Semester system
- Location: Urban
- Multi-Campus
- Acceptance rate: 90%
- Offers Postgraduates
- 13 research centres
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Afe Babalola University – Ekiti:
One the best university of Nigeria is Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). This Federal Government-licensed, Non-Profit Private University was established as a world-class model tertiary centre of excellence for educating and training students to become responsible members of the society.
The university operates a collegiate system and has six of such colleges. They are College of Law, College of Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, College of Engineering and College of Social and Management Sciences. The university runs pre-degree and degree foundation programmes in all the above-listed Colleges.
- Additional Information:
- Founded in 2009
- Enrollment – 8,000+
- Private, Non-Profit
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance
- Semester system
- Location: Urban
- Single Campus
- Acceptance rate: 84%
- Offers Postgraduates
- Research Centre
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Tai Solarin University of Education:
Tai Solarin University of Education is a transformation of the then Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE) is deemed one the best university of Nigeria for those who wish to study courses related to education or who wish to become educators.
Tai Solarin University of Education is the only institution in the country that offers both the Bachelor’s degree programmes in education (B.Ed.) and trains National Certificate of Education (NCE) graduates within the same academic environment.
The university operates a collegiate system and has six of such colleges. They are Science and Information Technology, Specialized and Professional Education, Social and Management Sciences, Humanities and Vocational and Technology Education.
Additional Information:
- Founded in 1978 & (2005)
- Enrolment – 10,000+
- State-owned
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance
- Semester system
- Location: Urban
- Single Campus
- Acceptance rate: 73%
- Offers Postgraduates
- Research Centers
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University of Benin:
University of Benin has proven from time to time to be one the best university in Nigeria and has been famous for groundbreaking research work with other universities around the world and with both local and international bodies such as USAID, Ford Foundation, UNCF (United Negro College Fund), RMRDC (Raw Materials Research & Development Council of Nigeria) amongst others in the areas of Agriculture, Public Health and Engineering to name a few.
The university operates faculties and collegiate system. They are;
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Management sciences
- Faculty of Life Sciences
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Physical Sciences
- College of Medical Sciences
- School of Basic Med. Science
- School of Dentistry
- School of Medicine
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Additional Information:
- Founded in 1970
- Students Population – 75,000+
- Federal
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance
- Semester system
- Location: Urban
- Multi-Campus
- Acceptance rate: 69%
- Offers Postgraduates
- Research Centers
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The University of Ibadan (UI):
We cannot mention the best university in Nigeria without The University of Ibadan (UI) which is also the oldest degree-awarding institution in Nigeria and with such reputation not excluding 14 affiliated institutions, the university had to remain relevant by being the frontier of knowledge through provision of excellent conditions for learning and research.
In September 2016, it became the first Nigerian university to make the top 1000 in Times Higher Education rankings. Prior to that, it had always made the top 10 African Universities in Webometrics Rankings.
The university operates the faculties system. They are; Agriculture, Arts, Education, Environmental Design and Management, Law, Multidisciplinary Studies, Pharmacy, Renewable Natural Resources, Science, The Social Sciences, Technology and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Additional Information:
- Founded in 1948
- Students Population – 35,000+
- Federal
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance
- Semester system
- Location: Urban
- Multi-Campus
- Acceptance rate: 39%
- Offers Postgraduates
- Research Centers
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The University of Lagos:
The University of Lagos is often referred to as The University of First Choice and the Nation’s Pride and little wonder why it is one of the best universities in Nigeria. The University of Lagos whose curriculum is research-oriented and practical-inclined is a prestigious and strategically located tertiary institution in Lagos State, which is the hub of commercial activities in West Africa.
The university has remained one of the most competitive in the country in terms of admissions and as continued to build a proud heritage by attracting intelligent, competitive students and empowered each one of them to reach their full potential.
The university operates the faculties system. They are Arts, Basic Medical Sciences, Management Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Education, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Law, Pharmacy, Social Sciences and Faculty of Science
Additional Information:
- Founded in 1962
- Students Population – 50,000+
- Federal
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance
- Semester system
- Location: Urban
- Multi-Campus
- Acceptance rate: 22%
- Offers Postgraduates
- Research Centers
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The University of Nigeria:
The University of Nigeria is one of the best in Nigeria and moreover, the first land-grant university in Africa and one of the five most reputed universities in Nigeria. UNN was the first full-fledged indigenous and first autonomous university in Nigeria and with their high standards, they have proven over the years that they can affect a significant positive change in Africa and especially in the world’s healthcare system.
The university operates the faculties system. They are Veterinary Medicine, Medical Sciences, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Law, Health Science and Technology, Environmental Studies, Dentistry, Engineering, Education, Business Administration, Biological Sciences, Arts and Faculty of Agriculture
Additional Information:
- Founded in 1955
- Students Population – 30,000+
- Federal
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance
- Semester system
- Location: Rural
- Multi-Campus
- Acceptance rate: 49%
- Offers Postgraduates
- Research Centers
Your turn… Vote up the best university in Nigeria. If you feel a particular university should be among the list here, please use the comment and give reasons why the university should be included.
| Universities | Acceptance Rate |
| UNIBEN |
|
| UNILORIN |
|
| UI |
|
| OAU |
|
| ABUAD |
|
| UNILAG |
|
| UNN |
|
| TASUED |
|
| BUK |
|
| FUTA |
|
| FUNAAB |
|
| UNIBEN |
|
| ABU |
|
| COVENANT |