Top 10 Best Universities in Nigeria

If you want an answer to the question “What is the best university in Nigeria?”, here you go.

Top 10 Best Universities in Nigeria– Although thousands of students are currently seeking admission into higher institutions in Nigeria, nobody wants to settle for less than the best!

This article highlights the top 10 best universities in Nigeria, offering a variety of choices for admission seekers and in-depth knowledge for researchers. The list is a combination of Federal, State, and private institutions across the country.

Which University is No 1 in Nigeria?

Most people think the University of Lagos is the best university in Nigeria. However, this is false. The University of Ibadan is currently the No 1 university in Nigeria, considered to be the country’s best even in world rankings.

Top 10 Best Universities in Nigeria

Although there are many prestigious higher institutions in the country, the list below shows the top 10 best universities in Nigeria in 2022.

10. University of Abuja

9. University of Benin

8. Federal University of Technology, Minna

7. Ahmadu Bello University

6. University of Ilorin

5. Obafemi Awolowo University

4. University of Nigeria, Nsukka

3. Covenant University

2. University of Lagos

1.University of Ibadan

10. University of Abuja

Type: Federal Institution

Location: FCT, Abuja

The University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) is the 10th on the list of the top 10 Universities in Nigeria. It is also ranked 4349 on the world’s list of best universities.

The location of the institution (the country’s capital) is a major attraction for many students who seek to study at a Nigerian University. The institution however lives up to the hype with a great academic standard.

UNIABUJA has over 80 programs in various departments and has over 55,000 students across 8 faculties.

Some courses offered in the institution include:

• Law
• Medicine and Surgery
• Mechanical Engineering
• Accounting
• Public Administration
• Economics, e.t.c

Top Nigerian Journalist, Alex Nwankwo, and Nigerian politician, Abdulmumin Jibrin are two notable alumni of the institution.

9. University of Benin

Type: Federal Institution

Location: Benin City, Edo State

The University of Benin, UNIBEN, is ranked No 3159 on the world’s list of best universities and No 59 in Africa. In Nigeria, it is the 9th best university and is also highly competitive.

With over 75,000 applicants every year, the institution admits only about 11,000 students, making the standard/criteria for admission more stringent.

One unique feature of the university is its sparsely built structures. UNIBEN has 15 faculties and over 50 departments.

Here are some courses offered in the institution:

• Medicine and Surgery
• Microbiology
• Accounting
• Mass Communication
• Political Science and Public Administration
• Computer Education
• Computer Science
• Computer Engineering
• Dentistry and Dental Surgery

Some notable alumni from UNIBEN include Nollywood superstars, Richard Mofe-Damijo; Omoni Oboli, and the late Gospel singer, Kefee.

8. Federal University of Technology, Minna

Type: Federal University

Location: Minna, Niger State

Federal University of Technology, Minna is the No 1. university of technology in Nigeria. Some Others are the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

Popularly called FUT Minna, the university is one of the top choices for many Nigerian students as thousands of students apply for admission into the institution on a yearly basis.

FUT Minna has over 45-degree programmes, institutes, and faculties. Some courses offered in the university include:

• Agriculture
• Crop Production
• Architecture
• Estate Management
• Biology
• Statistics
• Zoology and
• Geography, among other highly competitive courses in the institution.

7. Ahmadu Bello University

Type: Federal Institution

Location: Zaria, Kaduna State

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU, Zaria) is the 7th best university in Nigeria.

The northern Nigeria-based university is equally a very competitive institution in Nigeria with thousands of students seeking admission into the prestigious institution every year.

ABU Zaria boasts of 12 faculties, one postgraduate school, and 82 academic departments. The institution offers courses like:

• Business Administration
• Forestry and Wildlife
• Public Administration
• Agriculture
• Architecture
• Pharmacy
• Mass Communication, and
• Mechanical Engineering, among others.

Students who seek admission into ABU Zaria must score impressive marks in both UTME and POST UTME exams. Admissions are strictly merited, according to the institution.

6. University of Ilorin

Type: Federal University

Location: Ilorin, Kwara State

The University of Ilorin, fondly called UNILORIN is 6th on the list of the top 10 best universities in Nigeria.

Unilorin began operations in 1975  and since then, the institution has not been thrown off the list of best universities in Nigeria.

The institution boasts of about 100, 000 applicants yearly and admits only about 20%, making UNILORIN a very competitive school. Those who seek admission into the university of Ilorin must score impressive marks in both UTME and post UTME exams (a minimum of 180-200 in UTME).

Some courses offered at UNILORIN include Medicine and Surgery, Law, Accounting, Mass Communication, Public Administraton, Business Administration, and Economics among a bunch of other competitive courses.

Some notable alumni from the institution include popuar Nigerian Anglican Bishop, Philip Adeyemo, and Nollywood star, Femi Adebayo.

5. Obafemi Awolowo University

Type: Federal University

Location: Ile-Ife, Osun State

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is the 5th best university in Nigeria. OAU is also the most beautiful university in Nigeria with great architectural structures and well-organized space.

In addition to being a very beautiful campus, Obafemi Awolowo University is a great place to study even though it is highly competitive.

Some of the courses offered at OAU are Law, Architecture, Accountancy, Applied Geophysics, Chemical Engineering, History, Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Physics, e.t.c.

Some notable alumni who studied at the institution include Legendary businesswoman, Ibukun Awosika; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and popular Nigerian Journalist, Dele Momodu.

4. University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Type: Federal University

Location: Nsukka, Enugu

University of Nigeria, Nsukka is popularly called UNN. The institution is the first autonomous university in Nigeria.

UNN is one of the most competitive universities in Nigeria with an acceptance rate of 50% and a massive number of applicants year in-year out.

The university offers courses like Archaeology, Architecture, Agriculture, Animal Science, Economics, English and Education, Marketing, Medicine and Surgery, Philosophy and  Microbiology among others.

UNN reportedly has over 60,000 applicants every year, however, only about 30% of the population are offered admission, which makes it one of the most difficult universities to get into in Nigeria.

Some notable UNN alumni include music stars, Jide Obi and Waje. UNN is the 4th best university in Nigeria.

3. Covenant University

Type: Private Institution

Location: Ota, Ogun State

Covenant University (CU) is the third best University in Nigeria. Although it is also one of the most expensive in the country, the university still boasts of a massive influx of at least 7000 enrollees on a yearly basis.

CU officially began operations in 2002 when the Federal government licensed it to operate as a private institution. The university has four colleges namely:

• College of Business and Social Sciences
• College of Leadership and Development Studies
• College of Engineering
• College of Science and Technology.

Some of the courses offered in the institution are Accounting, Architecture, Banking, and Finance, Biochemistry, Business Administration, Chemical engineering, Civil Engineering, Mass Communication, and Psychology among others.

Covenant University has also been ranked the best private University in Nigeria. The tuition fees range between N800,000 to N1,000,000 yearly. CU was founded by popular Nigerian pastor, Dr. David Oyedepo and is affiliated with Living Faith Church, Ota.

Some notable Nigerian stars who graduated from Covenant University include top Nollywood actress, Bimbo Ademoye; fellow actress, Ini Dima-Okojie, and Nigerian singer, Simi.

The institution is also known for its numerous scholarship offers both to indigenous and international students across all (Undergraduate and postgraduate) levels.

2. University of Lagos

Type: Federal University

Location: Akoka, Lagos

The University of Lagos, also known as UNILAG is the second best University in Nigeria. The institution was founded in 1962 and has since maintained its spot on the list of the best universities in Nigeria. UNILAG is also recognized on the world’s list of best Universities.

The university has three campuses, offering a total of 86 undergraduate and 140 postgraduate programs.

UNILAG is equally a very competitive university with an acceptance rate of 10-20% per year. It is always a top choice for many students, sadly most of these students either get declined or are offered another course entirely different from their initial choice. This is very common among top Nigerian Universities.

Unilag admits over 9,000 students yearly, only a meager amount compared to the number of students who chose the institution.

Some of its notable alumni include Nollywood stars, Funke Akindele-Bello, Genevieve Nnaji, and popular Nigerian clergy, Enoch Adeboye.

1. University of Ibadan- Best University in Nigeria

Type: Federal University

Location: Ibadan, Oyo State

The University of Ibadan (U.I) is the best University in Nigeria (2022 ranking). Founded in 1948, the university started with just 3 departments namely science, medicine, and arts. Since then, it has expanded into 13 faculties including education, technology, agriculture and forestry, law, dentistry, and social sciences.

The university is home to the famous University of Ibadan Zoo, an attraction center for many across the country. The institution has produced notable alumni like award-winning legendary novelist and poet, Chinua Achebe.

U.I is a highly competitive institution with a 50% acceptance rate. Admissions are based on merit. Those who want to attend the university have to get an impressive marks in their JAMB exams and be outstandingly smart.

In addition to being the best university in Nigeria, the Institution’s medical school is also the No. 1 medical school in Nigeria. This is to say that the University of Ibadan is the best place to study medicine and Surgery in Nigeria.

Summary

Many students seek adequate information on a particular institution before applying for admission. We hope this article has served as a guide in your choice of an institution. To reiterate the aforementioned, here is a list of the top 10 best universities in Nigeria.

10. University of Abuja

9. University of Benin

8. Federal University of Technology, Minna

7. Ahmadu Bello University

6. University of Ilorin

5. Obafemi Awolowo University

4. University of Nigeria, Nsukka

3. Covenant University

2. University of Lagos

1.University of Ibadan