Universities in Nigeria ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 165 Universities in Nigeria

The Federal Republic of Nigeria is divided into 36 states and 1 Federal Capital Territory. The majority of higher education institutions meeting the uniRank selection criteria are located in the neighboring states of Ogun, Osun, and Oyo. The following uniRank league tables and sub-rankings consider all states that include at least one Nigerian higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Abia (6)  
Adamawa (3)  
Akwa Ibom (4)  
Anambra (5)  
Bauchi (2)  
Bayelsa (3)  
Benue (3)  
Borno (2)  
Cross River (3)  
Delta (8)  
Ebonyi (2)  
Edo (7)  
Ekiti (4)  
Enugu (8)  
Federal Capital Territory (5)  
Gombe (3)  
Imo (4)  
Jigawa (2)  
Kaduna (2)  
Kano (4)  
Katsina (3)  
Kebbi (2)  
Kogi (3)  
Kwara (6)  
Kwara State (1)  
Lagos (7)  
Nasarawa (4)  
Niger (2)  
Ogun (15)  
Ondo (7)  
Osun (9)  
Oyo (9)  
Plateau (3)  
Rivers (5)  
Sokoto (2)  
Taraba (3)  
Yobe (2)  
Zamfara (2)  

Unlock your University's potential: spotlight your Institution on UniRank for leads, local recognition and branding. Enquiry now to feature your University here.

Overview of Nigeria Universities

Nigeria's higher education system is one of Africa's largest, featuring 165 universities. The system includes public institutions (federal and state-owned) and private universities. Public universities receive government funding and offer subsidized tuition, while private institutions rely on tuition fees and endowments. Nigerian universities provide comprehensive and specialized programs across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels, with English as the primary language of instruction. Key disciplines include engineering, medicine, social sciences, agriculture and technology.

Top 10 Nigeria Universities

1. University of Lagos (UNILAG): Established in 1962, this public comprehensive university in Lagos, Lagos State ranks #1 nationally and 1894 globally. It offers diverse fields including law, engineering and arts at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
2. University of Ibadan (UI): Founded in 1948, Nigeria's oldest public university. Located in Ibadan, Oyo State, it holds #2 nationally (1972 globally) and provides comprehensive programs in sciences, humanities and health sciences across all academic levels.
3. University of Port Harcourt (Uniport): A public comprehensive institution established in 1975 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Ranked #3 nationally (2776 globally), it offers engineering, management and social science programs at multiple degree levels.
4. Covenant University (CU): Leading private university (established 2002) in Ota, Ogun State. Ranked #4 nationally (2966 globally), this comprehensive institution focuses on technology, business and applied sciences at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
5. University of Nigeria (UNN): Founded in 1960 in Nsukka, Enugu State. This public comprehensive university (#5 nationally, 3089 globally) offers extensive programs in agriculture, medicine and arts across all academic tiers.
6. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU): Established in 1962 in Ile-Ife, Osun State. Public comprehensive institution ranked #6 nationally (3681 globally), providing sciences, technology and humanities programs at multiple study levels.
7. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU): Founded in 1962 in Zaria, Kaduna State. This public comprehensive university (#7 nationally, 4459 globally) offers engineering, social sciences and agriculture programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
8. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE): Established in 2011 in Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Public comprehensive institution ranked #8 nationally (4755 globally), providing programs in sciences, management and humanities across academic levels.
9. University of Benin (UNIBEN): Founded in 1970 in Benin City, Edo State. Public comprehensive university (#9 nationally, 4888 globally) offering medicine, law and engineering programs at multiple degree levels.
10. Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU): Established in 1982 in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State. Public comprehensive institution ranked #10 nationally (5047 globally), providing programs in arts, sciences and education across undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Analysis of University Types

Nigeria's 165 universities are divided between public (86 institutions) and private (79 institutions). Public universities constitute 52% of the higher education sector, while private institutions account for 48%. This distribution reflects significant private sector participation alongside federal and state government providers.

Global Ranking and Standing

Nigerian universities are progressing in global rankings, though none currently appear in the world's top 200 universities (0% of national institutions). Similarly, no Nigerian universities rank within the global top 1,000 (0% representation). This highlights opportunities for enhanced international competitiveness through research investment and academic partnerships.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many universities are in Nigeria?
Nigeria has 165 accredited universities: 86 public and 79 private institutions.

What is Nigeria's highest-ranked university?
University of Lagos (UNILAG) ranks #1 nationally according to uniRank.

Are private universities respected in Nigeria?
Yes, private institutions like Covenant University (#4 nationally) compete with top public universities in academic quality.

Which Nigerian university is the oldest?
University of Ibadan, established in 1948, is Nigeria's oldest degree-awarding institution.

Do Nigerian universities offer online degrees?
Many universities now provide distance learning options, though in-person programs remain dominant.

Since 2005, UniRank provides original research, valuable information and resources to help you explore and make informed decisions about Nigerian universities and their online presence.

• Oldest Universities in Nigeria
  Explore the most traditional and long-established Nigerian post-secondary institutions according to uniRank's original research.
• A-Z Universities in Nigeria
  Search for Nigerian higher education institutions listed alphabetically from A to Z.
• Nigerian Universities by Town
  Look for tertiary institutions located in a particular Nigerian town or city.
• Top Public Universities in Nigeria
  Discover Nigerian public higher education institutions with potentially lower tuition fees.
• Top Private Universities in Nigeria
  Find out about Nigerian private higher education institutions.
• Top Non-Profit Universities in Nigeria
  Explore Nigerian not-for-profit higher education institutions that may offer lower tuition fees.
• Top For-Profit Universities in Nigeria
  Look for Nigerian for-profit higher education institutions.
• Top Nigerian Universities on Facebook
  See which tertiary institutions in Nigeria have the most followers on Facebook, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Nigerian Universities on Twitter
  Discover the Universities in Nigeria that are most followed on Twitter, based on uniRank's original research.
• Top Nigerian Universities on Instagram
  Find out which post-secondary institutions in Nigeria are the most followed on Instagram, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Nigerian Universities on YouTube
  Explore the Universities in Nigeria with the most subscribed channels on YouTube, based on uniRank's original research.