In London, England – A magazine called Times Higher Education (THE) shared its 2024 list of the best universities in Nigeria. They looked at more than 35 schools.
This list came out on Wednesday, September 27, and the website piggybank.ng saw it.
Covenant University is at the top. The magazine from Britain said it checked many things carefully to compare the universities well. They looked at how good the teaching is, how much research they do, and how the universities help society.
According to recent news from University World News, The Nigerian List is led by Covenant University in Ota, Ogun state is the best. The University of Ibadan is second, and the Federal University of Technology in Akure, Ondo state, is third.
Here’s a quick look at Nigeria’s top 15 universities for the year 2024:
- Covenant University
- University of Ibadan
- Federal Univ of Tech, Akure
- University of Lagos
- Bayero University
- University of Ilorin
- University of Nigeria
- Nsukka Afe Babalola University
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
- Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)
- Lagos State University (LASU)
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
The following profiles offer a comprehensive overview of the top 15 universities in Nigeria for the year 2024, based on the respected Times Higher Education ranking.
1. Covenant University
Covenant University, ranked between 601st and 800th globally, is a well-established private Pentecostal Christian University located in Ota, Nigeria. It was officially founded in 2002 and comprises four distinct colleges: The College of Business and Social Sciences, the College of Leadership and Development Studies, the College of Engineering, and the College of Science and Technology.
2. University of Ibadan
Founded in 1932, the University of Ibadan (UI) holds the esteemed position of being Nigeria’s inaugural university. Originating as an affiliated College of the University of London, it attained full independent status in 1962. UI offers an extensive range of academic programs encompassing 16 faculties, including arts, science, medical sciences, agriculture, social sciences, education, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, technology, law, public health, dentistry, economics, renewable natural resources, and environmental design and management.
3. Federal University of Technology Akure
The Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) is situated in Akure, the capital city of Ondo state. The university comprises 10 schools, covering a wide range of disciplines, including life sciences, physical sciences, earth and mineral sciences, environmental technology, engineering and engineering technology, agricultural and agricultural technology, logistics and innovation technology, computing, postgraduate studies, and the college of health sciences.
4. University of Lagos (UNILAG)
Founded in 1962, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) is a renowned public research institution nestled in the bustling city of Lagos, Nigeria. UNILAG proudly boasts 12 faculties, offering a wide array of academic disciplines, including arts, clinical sciences, education, engineering, and law.
5. Bayero University Kano (BUK)
Located in the bustling city of Kano, Bayero University, established in 1975, holds the prestigious title of being the first university in Kano state after its transformation from Bayero University College.
6. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), established in 1975, is located in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara state. It boasts a diverse range of subjects, spanning agriculture, clinical and medical sciences, law, education, engineering and technology, physical sciences, arts, pharmaceutical science, social sciences, veterinary medicine, and management sciences.
7. University of Nigeria, Nsukka
The University of Nigeria (UNN) Nsukka, a federal institution located in Enugu, has its roots in the visionary leadership of Nnamdi Azikiwe, who served as Nigeria’s Governor General from 1960 to 1963 and later as its first President from 1963 to 1966. Established in 1955 and formally inaugurated in 1960, UNN proudly operates 102 academic departments spanning 15 faculties, offering an impressive array of 82 undergraduate and 211 postgraduate programs.
8. Afe Babalola University
Afe Babalola University, located in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state, is a private university that was established in 2009. Its campus covers an extensive 130 hectares of land.
9. University of Benin (UNIBEN)
The University of Benin (UNIBEN), originally established as an Institute of Technology in 1970, underwent significant transformations. It officially became a university in 1971, adopted its current name in 1972, and gained federal recognition in 1975. UNIBEN is located in the vibrant city of Benin in Edo state, with students pursuing their studies across two campuses, namely, the Ekehuen campus and the primary Ugbowo site.
10. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), is a significant institution among the trio of federal agriculture universities established by the Nigerian government in 1988. In 1997, it made a momentous move to its current sprawling 10,000-hectare campus, situated just 10 miles outside the city of Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state. FUNAAB is organized into several colleges, each dedicated to distinct fields, including environmental research management, animal science and livestock production, agricultural management and rural development, plant science and crop production, biological science, food science and human ecology, engineering, physical science, and veterinary medicine.
11. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), originally known as Oyo State University of Technology, Ogbomoso (OSUTECH), was founded in 1990. Just one year later, it underwent a name change. This esteemed institution is located in the city of Ogbomosho, nestled in Oyo state, southwestern Nigeria.
12. Lagos State University (LASU)
Lagos State University (LASU), established in 1983, stands as a distinguished public university in Nigeria. Operating across three major campuses—Ojo, Ukeja, and Epa—it proudly serves as a testament to Lagos state’s commitment to education. LASU, the sole state university in Lagos, boasts a thriving community of over 35,000 full-time students pursuing diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs.
13. Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, founded in 1991, stands proudly in Akwa, the capital of Anambra state. This distinguished institution extends its reach with multiple accredited campuses located in Awka, Nnewi, Agulu, and Ifite-Ogwuari within Ayamelum local government area.
14. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), initially established in 1962 under the name University of Ife, holds a significant place in Nigeria’s federal education landscape. In a historic moment in 1987, it was renamed Obafemi Awolowo University in tribute to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a distinguished lawyer, nationalist, and politician, who was one of the university’s founding fathers. Today, OAU stands tall with 13 faculties, offering a diverse range of undergraduate courses.
15. University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
The University of Port Harcourt (Uniport), established in 1975 with its initial focus on Rivers state, earned the esteemed status of a full-fledged university in 1977. The university’s comprehensive faculties encompass health sciences, humanities, social sciences, laboratory technology, education, engineering, management sciences, agriculture, pharmaceutical sciences, dentistry, and law, in addition to a thriving business school.