Lists of The Top 40 Best Universities in Nigeria

If you want quality Education, it’s recommended that you study in one of the best schools. Based on the data collated by POLYTV, we’ve gathered the lists of the TOP 40 Best Universities in Nigeria.

1. University of Ibadan.

UNIBADAN located in Oyo state is ranked the best university in Nigeria and was established in 1948. She’s one of the oldest universities in Nigeria known for quality education. 

2. Obafemi Awolowo University.

Obafemi Awolowo University formerly University of Ife is ranked second best universities in Nigeria. The university is located at Ile-ife in Osun State. OAU was established between 1961 and 1962. Since the year of its establishment, OAU has maintained its position as one of the best and currently,the university is the second-best university in Nigeria. 

3. Covenant University Ota.

Covenant University is a private university owned by Living Faith chapel. It was founded by Bishop Oyedeo, the general overseer of winners chapel.  The university was established in 2022. As at the time of publishing this article, Covenant University is ranked the 3rd best universities in Nigeria.

4. University of Port Harcourt.

The University of Port Harcourt was established in 1975 and is situated in Choba/Aluu town in Rivers State, Nigeria in the South-South geo-political zone. Currently, the University has one (1) College, twelve (12) Faculties, and seven (3) Schools. Uniport is ranked 4th position as the best university in Nigeria.

5. University of Nigeria.

The University of Nigeria, commonly referred to as UNN, is a federal university located in Nsukka, Enugu State, Eastern part of Nigeria. Founded by Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1955 and formally opened on 7 October 1960, the University of Nigeria has three campuses in Enugu State– Nsukka, Enugu, and Ituku-Ozalla. UNN is ranked 5th best university in Nigeria.

6. University of Lagos.

The University of Lagos was founded in 1962. It presently has three Campuses in Yaba and Surulere. Whereas two of its Campuses are located in Yaba (the main campus in Akoka and the recently created campus at the former School of Radiography), its College of Medicine is located in Idi-Araba, Surulere. UNILAG is currently ranked 6th best universities in Nigeria.

7. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) was established on April 23, 1990. LAUTECH as a university and its staff has won many awards and accolades among which is the current rank as the 7th best university in Nigeria.

8. Ahmadu Bello University

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) is a federal government research university located in Zaria, Kaduna State. ABU was founded on October 4, 1962, as the University of Northern Nigeria. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs up-to PhD level. The university is ranked to be 8th Best in Nigeria.

9. Federal University of Technology Akure

Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), a top-ranking University of technology in Nigeria and indeed the nation’s pride. Established in 1981, the university has grown tremendously, stretching its academic disciplines and research across eight different schools and over fifty academic departments. FUTA as at the time of publishing this article is ranked the 9th best university in Nigeria.

10. Landmark University

Landmark University is a private University established by the Living Faith Church WorldWide. The university is also one of the most affordable private universities in Nigeria. According to webometric, Landmark University maintains the 10th position as the best universities in Nigeria. The university is located at Omu-aran in State.

11. Federal University of Technology Minna.

The Federal University of Technology, Minna is a Federal Government owned University in Nigeria. It was established on 1st February 1983. The university located at Minna in Niger State is ranked 11th best in Nigeria.

12. Bayero University Kano. 

Bayero University Popularly known as BUK is ranked 12th best in Nigeria. The University operates on 7 campuses and offers various degrees of Programmes up-to PhD level. If you are from the Northern region, Bayero university is recommended as the institution is known for quality education.

13. Adekunle Ajasin University

AAUA was first established in 1982. The university is located at Akungba Akoko in Ondo state. AAUA is a state owned university currently ranked number 13th best university in Nigeria. If you are from the south west and looking for the best university to study, AAUA is highly recommended. 

14. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Nnamdi Azikiwe University was taken over by the Federal Government on July 15, 1992. UNIZIK is ranked 14th best University in Nigeria. If you are an applicant from the south East and need the best university to study, you should consider UNIZIK. Bear in mind that the school doesn’t tolerate indiscipline so you have to be serious with your studies.

15. University of Calabar

University of Calabar (UNICAL) began functioning in 1973. The university is ranked 15th best in Nigeria. UNICAL is also one of the fastest universities in Nigeria with affordable school fees. 

16.  Olabisi Onabanjo University (Ogun State University)

The Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, is an emerging 21st century citadel of learning in terms of learning, teaching and research. It is the oldest university in Ogun State, second oldest in the Southwest and sixth oldest in the entire country. The university is ranked number 16th best university in Nigeria.

17. Federal University Oye Ekiti Ekiti State

Federal University Oye, Ekiti, located within the Oye community, was one of the nine Federal Universities established by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The university has two campuses at Oye-Ekiti and Ikole-Ekiti with 8 Faculties and 51 Departments. It is currently ranked 17th best in Nigeria.

18. University of Ilorin.

The University of Ilorin is located in the ancient city of Ilorin, about 500 kilometers from Abuja. The university was established in August 1975. It’s currently ranked 18th best university across the country.

19. Federal University of Technology Owerri.

FUTO, as the Oldest University of Technology in Nigeria, was established in 1980 Located 25 kilometers south of Owerri in IMO state. FUTO is ranked 19th best university in Nigeria.

20. Ekiti State University Ado Ekiti 

Formerly University of Ado Ekiti was established in 1979. The university is ranked 20th best in the country.

21. Lagos State University.

LASU has been unrelenting in the pursuit of its mission of becoming a citadel of learning, a community with the trademark of excellence in teaching, research and service to humanity. The university is ranked 21st overall best university in Nigeria.

22. University of Uyo

UNIUYO was founded in 1991 by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The university is also among one of the fastest universities in Nigeria. UNIUYO is ranked 22nd best university in Nigeria.

23. University of Jos

University of Jos started as a Campus of the University of Ibadan in November, 1971. The university is located in plateau state. UNIJOS is ranked 23rd best university in Nigeria.

24. Federal University Dutse Jigawa State

Federal University Dutse (FUD), received its charter, along with eight other newly established Federal Universities, from the federal Government of Nigeria on February 9, 2011. The University’s campus is located in the capital of Jigawa state, Dutse, an ancient town in north western Nigeria. FUD DUTSE is ranked 24th best university in Nigeria.

25. Kwara State University

Kwara State University, also known as KWASU, is a state owned university located in Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria. It is the 77th university to be registered by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC). KWASU is currently ranked 25th among the best universities in Nigeria.

26. University of Abuja

The University of Abuja was established in January 1988 out of the need to provide an institution of higher learning within Abuja. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs. UNIABUJA is ranked 26th among the best universities in Nigeria.

27. Redeemer’s University.

Redeemer’s university is a private university founded in 2005. The university is ranked 27th best university in Nigeria and 3rd best private university in the country.

28. Usmanu Danfodiyo University

Apart from the fact that USDUS is one the best in Nigeria, school fees for undergraduate students are also affordable. The university is ranked 28th among the best universities in Nigeria

29. Ebonyi State University.

EBSU is a state university located in Ebonyi state. The school is ranked 29th best university in Nigeria.

30. Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun

Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun in Delta State, Nigeria was established and approved during the Federal Executive Council meeting of 14 March 2007 and admitted its first set of undergraduates in 2008. The university is currently ranked number 30th among the best Universities in Nigeria.

31. Osun State University.

UNIOSUN is ranked the 31st best university in Nigeria. Osun State University (UNIOSUN) was established by Osun State Government pursuant to the University Establishment Law passed by the State House of Assembly in December, 2006.

32. Delta State University Nigeria.

The Delta State University, Abraka – popularly known as DELSU, is a State government university which started with the main campus located at Abraka. The university maintains 32nd best university in Nigeria 

33. Rivers State University of Science & Technology

The Rivers State University (RSU) Port Harcourt was established in October 1980. It is located at Nkpolu-Oroworukwo in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, Nigeria. RSU is ranked 33rd best university in Nigeria.

34. Niger Delta University

Established in 2000, the Niger Delta University (NDU) is a Bayelsa State Government funded university which is located in Wilberforce Island (an island of great historic significance) about 30 kilometers from Yenagoa – Bayelsa State capital. The university is ranked 34th among the best Universities in Nigeria.

35. Modibbo Adama University of Technology Yola (Federal University of Technology)

Since its establishment in 1981, MAUTECH has continued to grow as a center for teaching and research in Pure and Applied Sciences, Agriculture, Engineering, Management and Information Technology and related disciplines. The University is ranked 35th best.

36. Imo State University Owerri.

Imo State University was established in 1981 by the old Imo State Government, comprising present-day Imo and Abia States. IMSU is ranked 36th best university in Nigeria.

37. Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma

AAU is located at Ekpoma in Edo state. The university has a student capacity of over 20,000 and it’s currently ranked 37th among the best universities in Nigeria.

38. University of Maiduguri

The University of Maiduguri was created in 1975 as one of the second-generation Universitie. The university is ranked 38th position among the best universities in Nigeria.

39. African University of Science & Technology Abuja

The African University of Science and Technology (AUST) is a Pan-African institution, established in 2007.  The institution is ranked 39th position among the top best universities in Nigeria. AUST is a private university located in Abuja.

40. Federal University Lokoja Kogi State

The Federal University Lokoja was established along with eight (8) other new Federal universities on the 16th of February 2011 following a pronouncement by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. FULOKOJA is ranked 40th among the best universities in Nigeria.

In conclusion, these aforementioned universities are ranked to be the top 40 best universities in Nigeria according to webometrics. 

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