There are 170 universities in Nigeria. As of 2021, 79 were private, and federal universities amounted to 50, while state universities were 48. Some of the most popular federal universities are the University of Ibadan, the University of Nigeria, the Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Lagos and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
The latter is the largest university in Nigeria by the number of students. In 2019, the number of all students enrolled reached 565,000. The National Open University of Nigeria is the largest open and distance learning institute on the whole African continent. It is based in Abuja but has several campuses across Nigeria.
By definition, Federal Universities are owned and controlled and funded by the Federal Government. They are established Federal Universities are established to engender and promote unity. Federal universities were built to universities to ensure the distribution and location of the universities among each geopolitical state of Nigeria.
Below are the reasons why Federal Universities are better than State Universities:
Cheaper Tuition: Federal Universities are cheaper than state-owned. This is the major reason why many students who are not financially stable choose Federal Universities. However, it is these universities are prone to ASUU strikes.
Cultural Diversity: Unlike state-owned university that gives preference to indigenes, Federal Universities admit more students from different cultural backgrounds. That is why Federal Universities are centres for the promotion of unity in diversity.
However, the private universities may seem to be doing better in terms of funding and infrastructure, but the very high fees which they charge students make their accessibility herculean.
Please note, these 50 accredited Federal Universities comprise Universities of Technology, Agriculture, Health, Security and Universities of Education domiciled in different states of the federation and the FCT.
Here is the list of Federal Universities in Nigeria
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
- Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
- Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)
- Bayero University, Kano
- Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
- Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi
- Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru, Kebbi State
- Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State
- Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun, Osun State
- Federal University of Health Technology, Otukpo Benue
- Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun
- Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
- Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa State
- Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State
- Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)
- Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
- Federal University, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State
- Federal University, Dustin-ma, Katsina State
- Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State
- Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State
- Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State
- Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State
- Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
- Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State
- Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State
- Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State
- Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State
- Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State
- Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia
- Modibbo Adama University of Technology
- National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos (NOUN)
- Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB)
- Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna (NDA)
- Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko, Delta State (NMU)
- Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University
- Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State.
- The Federal University of Technology Minna.
- University of Abuja, Gwagwalada
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- University of Calabar, Calabar
- University of Ibadan, Oyo State
- University of Ilorin, Ilorin
- University of Jos, Jos
- University of Lagos, Lagos State
- University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
- University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT)
- University of Uyo, Uyo
- Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto.
Source cite:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1130701/number-of-universities-in-nigeria/