Many Nigerians today have belittled the power of state universities in Nigeria because they believe that these state-owned universities can’t be compared to their federal counterparts in terms of teaching capability, quality of learning facilities, and overall quality of education.
Nigerian state universities are becoming better and better as the days go by and some of these universities have proven to be better than their federal counterparts in the ranking of the best universities in Nigeria as provided by NUC and other top university ranking organizations.
In this article, we will be outlining a verified list of 9 the best state universities in Nigeria as provided by the National Universities Commission (NUC) this year. These Universities are ranked using various factors which include quality of teaching and learning facilities, alumni, funding, and overall quality of education in these universities.
Without wasting more time, let’s show you a list of the best Nigerian state universities in 2022 (NUC).
Top 9 Best State Universities in Nigeria
1) Rivers State University (RSU)
Rivers State University is a state-owned university which is located in the Diobu area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South-southern Nigeria. It was established in 1980 and its name was changed from “Rivers State University of Science and Technology” to “Rivers State University” in 2017.
This University is one of the best universities in Nigeria. It is currently ranked the 10th best Nigerian university according to 4ICU. It is also one of the best Nigerian technology universities.
RSU is one of the popular universities in the Niger Delta Region in Nigeria. This university is currently the only Nigerian university accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to offer complete degree programs in Marine Engineering.
2) Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)
The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology popularly referred to as LAUTECH is a state-owned university of technology which is located in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, South-western Nigeria.
LAUTECH is one of the few state-owned universities which is regarded as one of the best universities of technology in Nigeria. Its name was changed to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology after the separation of Osun State from Oyo State in 1991.
The university is ranked as one of Nigeria’s best state universities right now and it occupies the 2nd position on this list.
Faculties in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology include:
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Faculty of Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology
Faculty of Pure and Applied Science
Faculty of Management Sciences
Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
3) Lagos State University (LASU)
Lagos State University which is popularly known as LASU is a Lagos state government-owned multi-campus, collegiate and non-residential University located in Lagos State, Nigeria. It currently has three campuses – Ojo campus (main campus), Epe campus (engineering), and Ikeja campus (medicine).
LASU is also one of the best Nigerian state universities and the best state university in Nigeria to study law. The university caters to a population of over 35,000 full-time students and over 3,000 students who are enrolled in part-time studies.
The University also currently offers diploma, degree, and postgraduate programs including an MBA program.
Faculties at Lagos State University are listed below:
Faculty of Arts
Faculty of Social Sciences
Faculty of Management Sciences
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Clinical Sciences
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Basic Medical Science
Faculty of Education
4) Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA)
Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) is a state-owned and operated Nigerian university which is located in Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.
AAUA was established as Obafemi Awolowo University in March 1982 by the government of the old Ondo State but its name was later changed to Ondo State University in 1985 buy the next military governor of the state.
In 2004, the name of this university was changed again, this time to Adekule Ajasin University in honor of the late Adekule Ajadsin who was a one-time governor of its host state (Ondo state).
AAU offers a wide range of programs. These programs include undergraduate programs, post-graduate programs, Pre-degree, and JUBEB programs.
Adekunle Ajasin University currently has 6 faculties and they’re listed below.
Faculty of Art
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Agriculture
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Social & Management Sciences
5) Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (AAU)
Ambrose Alli University is a state university that was established by the governor of the now-defunct Bendel State – Professor Ambrose Folorunsho Alli. It was first known as Bendel University, then Edo State University when Bendel was split into Edo and Delta States and eventually Ambrose Allii University in commemoration of Professor Ambrose Folorunso Alli.
AAU is known for its unique style of teaching and learning. It is known for the deployment and application of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in every aspect of the everyday administration of the institution.
Although AAU was initially known for cult activities on campus, this became a thing of the past after the new Vice-chancellor took the mantle of leadership in the university. Today, AAU is known as one of the best state universities in Nigeria for law and it occupies the 4th spot on this list.
Faculties in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma include:
Faculty of Agriculture
Faculty of Arts
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Engineering & Technology
Faculty of Environmental Studies
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Life Sciences
Faculty of Management Sciences
Faculty of Physical Sciences
Faculty of Social Sciences
Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
Faculty of Clinical Sciences
6) Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye (OOU)
Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye is a state-owned and operated university which is located in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, South-western Nigeria.
The university was founded on the 7th of July, 1982, as Ogun State University (OSU) but was later renamed to Olabisi Onabanjo University in 2001 in honor of Chief (Dr.) Olabisi Onabanjo was a one time governor of its host state, Ogun state.
OOU has an estimated number of 50,000 students and it is ranked as one of the best Nigerian state universities according to the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Faculties in Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye include:
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Arts
Faculty of Social Management Sciences
Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
Faculty of Clinical Sciences
Faculty of Pharmacy
Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
7) Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU)
Ekiti state university is also a state-owned and managed tertiary institution which is located in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, South-western Nigeria. it is one of the most sought after schools in South-western Nigeria with an estimated population of over 50,000 students and counting.
As of today, EKSU is one of the schools with the fastest academic calendar in Nigeria and the only university in Nigeria that has changed its name four consecutive times within a quarter of a century.
The university is also one of the best Nigerian state universities and the institution is equipped with well-trained academic staff and a highly conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Faculties in Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti are listed below:
Faculty of Agricultural Science
Faculty of Arts
Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
Faculty of Clinical Sciences
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Management Science
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Social Sciences
8) Kwara State University (KWASU)
Kwara State University is a state-owned university (Kwara state) that was established by the then governor of Kwara state and the former senate president – Bukola Saraki, in 2009.
KWASU is the 77th Nigerian university to be registered by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the 95th university to be recognized in the country.
Academic activities in KWASU operate from three campuses located in Malete, Ilesha-Baruba, and Osi-Opin all in Kwara state, Nigeria.
The Malete campus is the main campus and houses the College of Pure and Applied Sciences, College of Information and Communication Technology, and the College of Education. The Osi campus houses the College of Engineering, College of Humanities, Management, and Social Sciences. The Baruba Campus will house the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences.
9) Enugu State University Of Science & Technology (ESUT)
The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) is a state-owned (Enugu State) university in Nigeria that was founded as ASUTECH on July 30, 1980. It is one of the few universities of technology which is located in South-Eastern Nigeria.
ESUT is regarded as one of the best state universities in the country with a mission to promote scholarship, especially in the areas of Science, Management, and Technology, thereby ensuring the development of quality manpower that will utilize technology for the service of society.
Today, The Enugu State University Of Technology caters to over 50,000 students (undergraduates and postgraduates) with 9 faculties and over 50 courses present in the university.
The 9 faculties in Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) include:
Faculty of Agricultural & Natural Resources Management
Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Management Sciences
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Faculty of Social Sciences.
Which state university is the cheapest in Nigeria? The cheapest state university in Nigeria is the Lagos State University (LASU). The tuition fee for returning students is around 25,000 naira, which is considered relatively low for a State University.
Conclusion
This post has been about the best state universities in Nigeria and we showed you a list of the best state universities in the country as stated in the latest NUC rankings and we also gave a brief history of these universities.
It’s now over to you. What do you think about this article? Did we miss any school? Let us know what you via the comments below.
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