Top 10 Largest Universities In Nigeria (2023)

Presently, there are one hundred and seventy universities in Nigeria: 43 federal universities, 48 state universities, and 79 private universities. Some of these institutions are one of the best on the continent and in the world, in terms of quality education and infrastructure. Speaking of infrastructure, many of these Nigerian universities are known for their enormous structure and massive landmass, which have often to a contention of the biggest and largest university in the country. To satisfy your curiosity concerning that contention, we have compiled a list of the 10 largest Universities in Nigeria, starting from the least

10. University of Ibadan

With over 1,000 hectares of landmass, the prestigious University of Ibadan takes tenth place among the largest Universities in Nigeria. The university was founded in 1948 as University College Ibadan, one of many colleges within the University of London. It became an independent university in 1962 and is the oldest degree-awarding institution in Nigeria. It is currently ranked No. 1 in Nigeria and 1196 in the world according to Webometrics

The institution is made up of 92 academic departments organized into 17 faculties. It also has other academic units, which include the College of Medicine, Institute of Child Health, and Institute of Education, among others. The University has over 41 thousand students, and a total staff strength of 5,339, according to Wikipedia. UI is one of the few Nigerian universities big enough to accommodate botanical and zoological gardens.

9. Redeemer’s University Nigeria

Redeemer’s University Nigeria, with exactly 2010 hectares of landmass takes ninth place among the largest universities in Nigeria. The institution was founded in 2005, as one of the flagships of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The university took off at the temporary site in the Redemption Camp before acquiring and moving to the large expanse of land in Ede, Osun state.

The institution is made up of 42 academic departments organized into 8 faculties. It runs both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Undergraduate programs started at inception in 2005 while the school’s post-graduate programs began in the 2012–2013 academic year. So far, the university has produced 14 sets of graduates as of this time of this report.  In 2020  the university changed from the Collegiate system to the Faculty system.

8. American University of Nigeria

The American University of Nigeria is a private university in Adamawa state and one of the largest universities in Nigeria, with over 2,400 hectares of landmass. The institution was founded in  2003 and is noted as Africa’s first “Development University” by numerous authoritative sources, as it offers an American-styled liberal art higher education at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels.

The university consists of six schools, offering the following undergraduate majors and graduate programs. It is also home to approximately 1,400 undergraduate students and 87 faculty members. According to reports the main campus comprises 17 buildings including nine Residence Halls, a spacious cafeteria, a 3,500-capacity Hall,  a dedicated Students Hub, an environmentally-themed administrative building, School of Arts & Sciences building, and the Peter Okocha building which houses the School of Law and its library.

7. Federal University of Technology, Owerri

The Federal University of Technology, Owerri takes seventh place among the largest universities in Nigeria, with over 4000 hectares of landmass. The institution located in Owerri was established in 1980 by executive fiat with the composition and appointment of the first provisional Council by Nigeria’s first Executive President, Shehu Shagari. It is the premier federal university of technology in the South-East and South-South parts of Nigeria.

FUTO began with 225 students and 60 staff (28 academics and 32 non-academic), it has however grown to over 25,000 students and over 50 professors. The university consists of 11 schools, offering over 40 undergraduate majors and graduate programs. There are also institutes and specialized centers, offering a variety of services to the wider society.

6. Obafemi Awolowo University

With over 5000 hectares of landmass, Obafemi Awolowo takes sixth place among the largest universities in Nigeria.  The institution located in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, was founded in 1961 as the University of Ife by the regional government of Western Nigeria. It was renamed “Obafemi Awolowo University” in 1987 in honor of Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987), the first premier of the Western Region of Nigeria.

Obafemi Awolowo University presently has 13 faculties, and two colleges—the Postgraduate College and the College of Health Sciences— all of which are administered in more than 60 departments. The institution presently houses over 35,000 students – 13,000 Undergraduates and 7500 Postgraduates, making it one of the most populated Universities in the country.

5. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Ahmadu Bello University, with a landmass of over 7,000 hectares, takes the fifth place among the largest universities in Nigeria. The institution was founded on 4th October 1962, as the pioneer university in Northern Nigeria. It was founded and named after the Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, the first premier of Northern Nigeria.  The university presently operates two campuses and a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs.

The institution presently encompasses 12 academic faculties, a postgraduate school, and 82 academic departments. It has five institutes, six specialized centers, a Division of Agricultural Colleges, demonstration secondary and primary schools, as well as extension and consultancy services which provide a variety of services to the wider society. With over 35,000 students is presently enrolled in the university’s degree and sub-degree programs, ABU remains one of the most populated universities in Nigeria.

4. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta is a higher institution of learning one of the largest Universities in Nigeria, with a landmass of over 10,000 hectares. The institution was established on 1 January 1988 by the Federal Government when four universities of technology, earlier merged in 1984, were demerged. The university started off from the old campus of Abeokuta Grammar School, before moving to its permanent location

The university is one of the three universities of agriculture in Nigeria, the other being in Makurdi (Benue State) and Umudike (Abia State). It presently runs 179 academic programs made up of 44 undergraduate programs, and 135 graduate programs which include 22 Postgraduate diploma programs, 57 Master’s degree programs, and 56 Doctorate degree programs.

3. Federal University of Technology, Minna

The Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA) is a Federal Government owned University and one of the largest universities in Nigeria, with over 10,650 hectares of landmass located in Minna, Niger State. The institution was founded in  1983, with a specialization in technological education. The University offers  Bachelor’s of Technology, Master’s of Technology in various technology-inclined fields.

As of 2018, FUTMINNA has 10 schools faculties, which include the school of innovative technology and Postgraduate study. According to a report, the Federal University of Technology Minna has grown to become a designated Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering and has a core competence in the development of vaccines and drugs, also small arms design in partnership with the Armed Forces of Nigeria

2. The University of Abuja.

The prestigious University of Abuja takes second place among the largest universities in Nigeria, with over 11,824 hectares of landmass. The institution was established in January 1988 in Abuja, as a dual-mode university with the mandate to run conventional and distance learning programmes. The University of Abuja presently has over 10 faculties including a college of health science and medicine.

The university offers diploma, and postgraduate degree programs as well as a Centre for Distance Learning School which provides university education to those who cannot acquire such education through the regular university system and those interested in acquiring new knowledge and specialized skills. The distance learning offices of the university are located within the Abuja municipality where contact sessions of the program are also held.

1. University of  Ilorin

The University of Ilorin is the largest university in Nigeria, with over 15,000 hectares of landmass. The institution was established by the federal government in August 1975 as an affiliate of the University of Ibadan. Today the institution has fifteen Faculties and over 60 Academic Departments. In addition to these are the Institute of Education, Unilorin Sugar Research Institute, and a full-fledged Postgraduate School.

Aside from its academic activities, the university is also involved in other commercial projects such as the Unilorin Computer Centre, Bookshop,  bakery, and printing press. A water dam and treatment plant to provide an uninterrupted water supply to the main campus has just been completed. The university will soon construct a rail line to boost transportation between the university’s campus and the township. Unilorin presently has over 50,000 students pursuing a qualification in the institution.

Conclusion

The biggest university in Nigeria can be measured using different criteria, however, basimng our resaerch on landmass, the eccentric University of Ilorin has emerged the largest univeristy in Nigeria. Following closely are notable institutions such as the Federal University of Technology, Minna, and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Below is a table that simplifies the contention of the largest school using data obtained from several parts of the internet.

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Source: 

• https://www.abu.edu.ng/history/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obafemi_Awolowo_University
• https://www.aun.edu.ng/index.php/about/about