Top 9 Best Universities in Nigeria (Latest Ranking)

If you are looking to find the best schools in Nigeria, then this list is for you.
Nigeria has a large number of quality universities – especially in the field of medicine and technology. With many top-notch courses, these institutions provide excellent educational opportunities that cannot be found anywhere else in Africa.
The only thing more nauseating than being torn between choosing a university as per your preference is the annual debate on ranking. For every great institution that gets recognition from reputable ranking bodies, there are a few unfortunate ones that are left in the cold. With no objective way of measuring these universities, comparisons and rankings have to be done by an external body or entity with its own set of standards and definitions.
The purpose of this blog post is to go over some of Nigeria’s nine most renowned universities and to give you an insight on what each school offers so that you can find your perfect fit for your future career.
Here is our list of 9 Nigeria’s best universities (with the latest ranking).
1. University of Ibadan
The University of Ibadan (UI) is the number one best university among the top ten best universities in Nigeria. This is to say that UI is currently the best university in Nigeria.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) listed the University of Ibadan as the best Federal University in the country. It was also featured in the Reuters Top 100 in their latest 2020 rankings of world universities.
UI is an excellent academic institution founded in 1947. It was formerly affiliated with the University of London and ran Arts, Science, and Medicine courses. Due to the school’s high standards have been rated among the top 10 best universities in Nigeria.
The school, which is fully accredited, offers different academic programmes. It has 14 faculties which include:
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Clinical Sciences
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Technology
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Public Health
- Faculty of Dentistry
- Faculty of Environmental Design and Management
UI’s College of Medicine is still regarded as the best in Nigeria. The institution itself has churned out numerous graduates who are doing the nation proud in various parts of the world.
As one of the best universities in Nigeria, UI has received accreditations from bodies such as the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), COREN, NBA, and NMA. The school also has a membership affiliation with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
2. University of Nigeria, Nsukka
We have the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) as the second-best university in our top 10 best universities in Nigeria.
UNN, established in 1955, was ranked the second-best university in Nigeria by the NUC.
UNN is the first indigenous/autonomous university that commenced formally on 17th December 1960. It has 15 faculties which are all accredited and 102 departments.
The university offers education, African studies, developmental studies and herbal medicine and drugs. They also have centres built to explore space science, climate change and energy research.
The University of Nigeria Nsukka, which is one of the top 10 best universities in Nigeria, has four campuses:
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN in Nsukka
- University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, UNEC in Enugu
- University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH in Ituku-Ozalla
- University of Nigeria Aba campus, UNAC in Aba
The school has hosted numerous regional events such as the NUGA games and is one of the universities that can boast of an ICT Hub in West Africa.
The school has produced prominent figures in society such as Prof Doral Akunyili, Godwin Emefiele, Peter Obi, Charles Soludo, Herbert Wigwe and many others. It also has membership affiliations with associations such as the Association of African Universities (AAU).
3. University of Lagos
University of Lagos (UNILAG) is famous in Nigeria and among the top 10 best universities in Nigeria. It is the third-best university in Nigeria.
Established in 1962, UNILAG has three campuses situated in 3 different locations in Lagos. While the main campus is at Akoka, the other two are at Yaba and Surulere, respectively.
UNILAG, which started up with only 131 students, has grown rapidly over the years to become one of the most populated universities in Nigeria. Asides from that, UNILAG is also rated one of the top 10 best universities in Nigeria.
It also boasts of one of the best Distance Learning Institute offering professional courses in Accounting, Business Administration, Science Education etc.
UNILAG has 12 accredited faculties with different departments, which include:
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Basic Medical Science
- Faculty of Business Administration
- Faculty of Clinical Sciences
- Faculty of Dental Sciences
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Environmental Science
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Science
- Faculty of Management Sciences
4. Obafemi Awolowo University
When it comes to landmass, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is the largest university in the country as it covers as much as 11,862 hectares of land. The university was established in 1962 and was formerly known as the University of Ife.
The university is the fourth-best university among the top ten best universities in Nigeria.
According to the international ranking, which is based on the quality of education, Obafemi Awolowo University has been ranked among the top 10 best universities in Nigeria. Hence, it is not surprising to see many university applicants entering the school as their first choice in JAMB application forms.
OAU is among the first academic institutions in Africa established in the 1970s. Since its establishment, it has produced top-class graduates who have done well to win numerous prestigious awards such as the National Merit Awards.
Obafemi Awolowo University aims at using cutting-edge technology in providing teaching research and community services to its students and the nation at large.
5. Covenant University
Covenant University has consistently been rated among the top 10 best universities in the country, and so far, it is regarded as the best private university in the nation.
It is rated the fifth-best university in our list of top universities in Nigeria.
Indeed, Covenant University’s tuition and miscellaneous fees are expensive. Still, the costs are being channelled into making the best out of the students.
The university is classified as one of Africa’s world-leading Christian Mission Universities.
The founder of Covenant University, Dr David Oyedepo, is one of Nigeria’s most respected spiritual figures and the Bishop and General Overseer of the Living Faith Church a.ka. Winners Chapel.
The institution started full operation in June 2002 after receiving license approval from the Federal Government to operate as an independent private entity.
Being one of the top 10 best universities in Nigeria, Covenant University was established on the core values of Spirituality, Capacity Building, Positive Mentality, Integrity, Diligence and Sacrifice.
6. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
The Northern part of Nigeria is not left out in the academic quest. Ahmadu Bello University has always emerged to represent this region as one of Nigeria’s top 10 best universities.
ABU was established in 1962 after the Asby Commission suggested a higher learning institution be installed in Northern Nigeria. The university was named after Sir Ahmadu Bello, the then Premier of Northern Nigeria.
The school has two campuses and 15 approved faculties. It also has over 1400 academic and research staff with 6000 non-teaching and administrative staff.
Reports also show that ABU pioneered the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa College (now the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University of Technology) and the Abdullahi Bayero College (now Bayero University), Kano.
7. Federal University of Technology, Minna
Futminna, Minna makes it to the 7th position in NUC’s recent ranking list of top best universities in Nigeria. It was established in 1983 to promote academic excellence.
The university occupies as much as 10,650 hectares of land and is located in the capital city of Niger State, Minna. Besides being one of the top 10 best universities in Nigeria, in terms of size, it is also among the country’s largest universities.
Some structures and centres found within the Federal University of Technology Minna include:
- School of Agriculture and Technology (SAAT)
- School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET)
- School of Environmental Technology (SET)
- Students Centre
- Students Hostels
- The University Library
- Staff houses
- Senate building
- Computer Centre
- Industrial Developmental Centre
- School of Innovative Technology (SIT)
READ ALSO:
- Top 10 best private universities in Nigeria
- List of JAMB office addresses in Nigeria and contact details
8. University of Ilorin
This list of the top 10 best universities in Nigeria won’t complete without including the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).
UNILORIN is a famous NUC-accredited university. UNILORIN, which was once ranked the best academic high institution in the country, is today ranked the 8th best university in Nigeria according to NUC standards.
The university of Ilorin was the first Nigerian university to ranked among the top 20 African Universities in 2014.
JAMB once reported that the school had the highest number of applicants in the nation. With 15 accredited faculties, colleges and postgraduate schools, the university offers various academic programs in multiple fields. There is the faculty of:
- Arts
- Agriculture
- Environmental Science
- Life Sciences
- Management Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Communication and Information Sciences
- Education
- Engineering and Technology
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Veterinary Medicine and Law
It also has two faculties in its College of Health Sciences (Basic Medical and Clinical Sciences), The Postgraduate School and Institute of Education and the Unilorin Sugar Research Institute.
9. University of Benin
The University of Benin is one of the top 10 best schools in Nigeria and offers quality education.
One of the school’s achievements has always been known as the first school to appoint a female Vice-Chancellor in the country in Dr Grace Alele-Williams.
University of Benin today comprises many applicants and students, both full-time and part-time.
The prestigious institution has formed collaborations with many world-class universities and international and local bodies such as FORD Foundation, USAID and United Negro College Fund (UNCF).