In this article, Platinum Times Nigeria explores the top 10 best universities in Nigeria in 2024.
The Nigerian educational system encompasses the primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
However, the tertiary education in Nigeria is a vital component of the nation’s educational system, rendering advanced learning opportunities as compared to the secondary schooling.
The different universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other specialised institutions make up the tertiary education system.
One unique feature that makes Nigeria stand out from other African countries is it’s diverse array of tertiary institutions which may be private or government-owned.
While the private universities serves as alternatives for students who seek confined and serene learning environment, the public or government-owned universities often cater for a large population of student and offer diverse academic programs regardless of the available of adequate infrastructures and administrative systems to give comfort to the students.
This has been a major challenge facing Nigeria’s educational system and has hinder the ability of the education sector to produce quality and efficient personnels who are fit for the labor market.
This article looks at the top 10 best universities in Nigeria based on various ranking criteria such as academic excellence, research output, facilities, faculty quality, and reputation.
1. Covenant University
Taking the first spot is the Covenant University which is sited in Ota, Ogun State.
This is a private christian institution with the capacity to accommodate over 8,940 students with a gender ratio of 37:63.
It is well known for its focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology with science researches constituting about 40% of its academic activities.
2. Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
FUTA is a leading institution for science and technology education in Nigeria, with a focus on research and innovation.
Federal University of Technology (FUTA) ranks third best in Nigeria with over 19,711 students capacity. Science researches makes up 35% of the academic work.
3. University of Ibadan (UI)
Founded in 1948, the University of Ibadan is recorded as Nigeria’s indigenous University and is renowned for its academic excellence, research output, and high-quality faculty.
It comes second in the list with a student capacity of about 41,269 students. Science and research work constitutes about 20% of the students’ academic work.
4. University of Lagos (UNILAG)
UNILAG is one of Nigeria’s leading universities, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various disciplines.
It has a student body of 41,048, with a gender ratio of 51 percent female and 49 percent male. A percentage of 25 accounts for the level of science researches carried out by the students.
5. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
UNN is reputed for its strong academic programs in medicine, engineering, and social sciences, as well as its vibrant campus life.
The University boasts about 43,108 students, with a gender distribution of 46 percent female and 54 percent male. A handful of the population of the students comprises of foreigners and it’s level of science researches accounts for 25% of the students academic work.
6. Bayero University, Kano (BUK)
BUK is a prominent university in northern Nigeria known for its strong academic programs in the arts, sciences, and social sciences.
It boasts a student capacity of over 43,027 with zero population of foreigners.
27 percent of its academic work involves scientific researches.
7. The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
The University of Ilorin located in Kwara State is renowned for its technology and innovations.
It is ranked seventh has boasts a student capacity of over 52,921 with a scientific research involvement of about 28%.
The University is sited in the Southwestern part of the country and has over the years produced top personalities in the country.
8. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
Ahmadu Bello University is located in Zaria, Kaduna State and established as one of the indigenous universities in the country.
It is well known for its research output, particularly in the fields of agriculture, engineering, and social sciences.
It boasts a large capacity of students consisting of both indigenes and foreigners.
It scientific research constitutes about 27% of the students academic load.
9. Afe Babalola University
Afe Babalola University is a private institution that is located in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, it is ranked ninth best in Nigeria.
Afe Babalola University has approximately 9,660 students, ensuring a robust learning environment with a student-to-faculty ratio of 10.7.
Its scientific research makes up about 30 percent of the students academic work load.
The institution houses one percent of the foreign students with a female-to-male ratio of 57:43.
10. University of Benin
The university of Benin is one of the oldest universities in Nigeria.
It has a capacity of over 47,837 students, with a student-to-staff ratio of 25.8, while the female-to-male students’ gender ratio stands at 49:51 inclusive of foreigners.
25 percent is accounted for the volume of scientific researches carried out by the students.
The university is well known for its creativity, crafts and innovations placing it among the best universities in Nigeria.