Top 10 Universities in Nigeria as of today

Is it reasonable to anticipate a high standard of education in Nigeria, given the country’s political instability and absence of a well-structured educational system? Though it seems like Nigerian universities are not doing enough, there are still some that thrive to meet international standards. Here are the top 10 universities in Nigeria today.

Strikes by academic unions have been more common in recent years. Even at a time when the entire world is banding together to combat the coronavirus epidemic, the Academic Staff Union of Universities still goes on strike.

The condition of education in Nigeria appears to be deteriorating. However, hope remains.

What do we look into in making this decision?

This list of Nigeria’s most popular universities contains universities that meet a variety of criteria, including accreditation by a Nigerian higher education-related agency, teaching method, educational standard, and so on.

Top 10 universities in Nigeria

Let’s take a closer look at Nigeria’s top ten universities. These institutions are also one of the most well-known in Nigeria and Africa.

#1. University of Ibadan (UI)

UI is a prestigious academic institution that was founded in 1947. It has an association with the University of London and offered courses in the arts, sciences, and medicine.

The school ranks among the top 10 greatest universities in Nigeria due to its strong standards.

It also ranks among the top 100 universities in the world by Reuters in its most recent 2021 rankings. Numerous graduates from the university have gone on to make the country proud in various regions of the world.

The school is also a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).

#2. Nsukka University of Nigeria (UNN)

In our list of the top 10 universities in Nigeria, the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) comes second.

The NUC classified UNN, founded in 1955 is Nigeria’s second-best university.

UNN is the first indigenous/autonomous university in Nigeria, it was established on December 17, 1960.

Also, it comprises 15 faculties and 102 departments.

Education, African studies, developmental studies, and herbal medicine and medicines are among areas where the university conducts the study. They’ve also created research centres solely for space science, climate change, and energy research.

The institution has hosted a number of regional events, including the NUGA games, and is one of the few universities in West Africa with an ICT hub.

Prof Doral Akunyili, Godwin Emefiele, Peter Obi, Charles Soludo, Herbert Wigwe, and many others are among the school’s notable alumni.

It also has an affiliation with organizations like the Association of African Universities (AAU).

#3. The University of Lagos

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is well-known in Nigeria and is among the top ten universities in the country. It is Nigeria’s third-best university.

UNILAG, which was founded in 1962, has three campuses in Lagos, each in a separate location. The main campus is located in Akoka, while the other two campuses are in Yaba and Surulere, respectively.

UNILAG, which began with only 131 students, has rapidly expanded over the years to become one of Nigeria’s most populous universities. It also has one of the best Distance Learning Institutes in the country, which provides professional programs in accounting, business administration, science education, and other fields.

#4. Obafemi Awolowo

The university, formerly known as the University of Ife, was founded in 1962. In the 1970s, OAU was one of the earliest academic institutions in Africa. It has produced top-notch graduates who have gone on to win various important honours, including the National Merit Awards, since its inception.

Obafemi Awolowo University is among the top ten universities in Nigeria, according to an international ranking based on educational quality. As a result, it’s not surprising that many university applicants list the school as their top choice on their JAMB application forms.

Obafemi Awolowo University aspires to provide cutting-edge technology in teaching, research, and community service to its students and the rest of the country.

#5. Covenant University

Covenant University is among the top ten universities in the country, and it is currently the best private university in the country. It is also the fifth-best university in Nigeria, according to our ranking.

Indeed, Covenant University is pricey in terms of tuition and other fees, but they channel the money into helping students achieve their full potential, as the university remains one of the world’s top Christian mission universities in Africa.

Covenant University key values are spirituality, capacity building, positive mentality, integrity, diligence, and sacrifice, making it one of Nigeria’s top ten universities.

#6. Zaria’s Ahmadu Bello University

The scholarly pursuit does not exclude the northern part of Nigeria.  Upon recommendation by the Asby Commission that a tertiary educational institution is built in Nigeria’s north, ABU was founded in 1962.

Sir Ahmadu Bello, the then-Premier of Northern Nigeria, was honoured with the university’s name.

There are two sites and 15 accredited faculties at the school. It has about 1400 academic and research employees, as well as 6000 non-teaching and admin staff, making it one of Nigeria’s best universities.

ABU is also credited for founding the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa College (now the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University of Technology) as well as the Abdullahi Bayero College (now Bayero University) in Kano, according to reports.

#7. Federal University of Technology, Minna

Futminna, Minna is seventh in NUC’s latest ranking of Nigeria’s best universities. It was founded in 1983 to promote academic excellence.

The institution is located in Minna, the capital of Niger State, and covers an area of 10,650 hectares. It is not just one of Nigeria’s top ten best institutions, but it is also one of the country’s largest universities.

#8. University of Ilorin

UNILORIN (a.k.a Better by Far University) is now the eighth best university in Nigeria. In 2014, the University of Ilorin got recognition among Africa’s top 20 universities. Becoming the first Nigerian University to get such recognition as at that time.

According to JAMB, the school had the greatest number of applicants in the country. The university offers a variety of academic programs in a variety of subjects through its 15 authorized faculties, colleges, and postgraduate schools.

It also has two colleges in the College of Health Sciences (Basic Medical and Clinical Sciences), as well as the Unilorin Sugar Research Institute and the Postgraduate School and Institute of Education.

#9. University of Benin

The University of Benin is also one of Nigeria’s top ten schools, providing high-quality education. One of the school’s most prominent accomplishments has always been the appointment of Dr Grace Alele-Williams as the country’s first female Vice-Chancellor.

The University of Benin now has a considerable number of full-time and part-time applications and students. The famous university has forged partnerships with several world-class colleges, as well as foreign and local organizations like the Ford Foundation, USAID, and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

#10. The University of Abuja

The University of Abuja (1990) is among the country’s top ten universities. It has produced notable personalities who already have made the country proud since its inception.

The University of Abuja is one of the country’s largest, with about 11,800 hectares of land. The Medical Centre at the University of Abuja has cutting-edge technology. It also has one of the greatest medical schools in the country.