These Are The 20 Best Universities In Nigeria Right Now

What is the list of best universities in Nigeria? The educational sector is an integral and vital sector of any nation. According to the National Policy on Education (NPE), everyone is entitled to receive at least primary school education.

Educational sector is divided into three forms: primary, secondary and tertiary education. The tertiary education is furthermore divided into various forms like the university, polytechnics, college of education, vocational institutions etc.

The university activities are being controlled by the National University Commission (NUC) who also determine the establishment of new universities. Under this commission, we have other bodies that also aid in the smooth running of the university system like Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Non-academic Staff Union of University (NASU) etc.

As their name implies, ASUU is in charge of all academic activities done in the university and NASU deals mostly with the registrations done in schools.

Before applying to any university, many factors are considered. The position of the university is one of the major factors to be considered before applying for universities. Below is a list of top 20 universities in Nigeria.

Best Universities In Nigeria 2020

#1 UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN – UI

This university was founded in the year 1947 but then it was a college under the University of London. It was recognized as a university in the year 1962. It is located in Ibadan, Oyo state.

Its motto is “RECTE SAPERE FONS” meaning ”RIGHT THINKING IS THE FOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE”.

The University of Ibadan is one of the best universities in Nigeria.

#2 COVENANT UNIVERSITY

This is the first private university on this list and was established in the year 2002 and it is located in Ota and its color is purple. The motto for the school is “RAISING A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERS”.

#3 UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA

Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe founded this institution in the year 1955 but was officially opened and recognized in the year 1960 and has 4 campuses. It has produced many notable personnel, the likes of Godwin Emiefele e.t.c.

This institution has 15 Faculties and 102 Departments. Its motto is “TO RESTORE THE DIGNITY OF MAN” and its color is green.

#4 OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY – OAU

It was first called the University of Ife and was founded in 1962. It was among the leading educational sphere in Africa and has produced Nobel Laurette holders.

This is located at Ile-Ife and its motto is “FOR LEARNING AND CULTURE” and its official color is midnight blue and gold.

#5 FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY MINNA

Its official color is purple, cream, and sky-blue. It was founded in 1982 with its motto being “TECHNOLOGY FOR EMPOWERMENT”. It is located in Niger state.

#6 UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS – UNILAG

This is well known as Unilag and it is a federal government-owned school located in Lagos state. It was founded in the year 1962 and the present vice-chancellor is Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe. 

This university has continued to remain one of the most outstanding universities in the country with also one of the highest population. It is also among the first set of universities in the nation to be overseen and accredited by NUC.

They have been called the nation’s pride and the university of the first choice. This university has over 12 faculties and its color is maroon and gold. The motto of this institution is “IN DEED AND TRUTH”, it is located in Yaba, Lagos state.

#7 AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY – ABU

This is fondly called ABU and this was named after the Sardauna of Sokoto and the premier of northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello. It has 12 faculties and 2 campuses, a post-graduate school and 82 departments. It is located in Zaria, Kaduna and its colors are blue and green.

#8 UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN

It was founded in the year 1976. It currently has about 15 faculties, it was also in the top 20 African universities and the first to make the list from Nigeria. As the name implies, it is located in the city of Ilorin and its motto is “PROBITAS DOCTRINA” meaning ”CHARACTER AND LEARNING”

#9 UNIVERSITY OF BENIN – UNIBEN

Popularly called UNIBEN, the first female vice-chancellor Grace Alele Williams was studying in the school at the same time which made the school very famous. It was founded in the year 1970. It is located in Ugbowo, Benin city Edo state and its official color is purple and gold. Its motto is “KNOWLEDGE AND CHARACTER”.

#10 LANDMARK UNIVERSITY

Established in 2011, Landmark University is the second private university on this list, located in Omu-Aran, Kwara state. Its official colour is green, brown and gold and its motto is “BREAKING NEW GROUNDS”. 

This is owned and founded by Living Faith Church also known as Winners Chapel, they also have the nickname “PATHFINDERS”. Its chancellor is the general overseer of the living faith church, the person of Dr David .O. Oyedepo.

#11 RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Now known as Rivers State University and it is located in Dioobu area of Port Harcourt. This is not only the first technological university but also the first to be established around the Niger Delta.

Its motto is “EXCELLENCE & CREATIVITY” AND ITS OFFICIAL COLOUR IS GREEN, DARK BLUE AND WHITE. It was first a college of science and technology and became a full university in 1980 and it is the only school that is recognized the study of MARINE ENGINEERING. THIS INSTITUTION HAS 6 FACULTIES.

#12 FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AKURE – FUTA

This institution is located in Akure, Ondo state. It was founded in the year 1981 with its official color purple and blue. Its motto is “TECHNOLOGY FOR SELF RELIANCE”. It has three campuses: Obanla, Obakekere and center for entrepreneurship and has 9 faculties

#13 FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OYE-EKITI

This is a Federal university which is owned and controlled by the Federal government. It has two campuses at Oye-Ekiti and Ikole-Ekiti out of which the campus at Oye-Ekiti being the main campus. This was established in 2011 by the Goodluck Jonathan led administration.

The motto is “INNOVATION AND CHARACTER FOR NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION”. Its official colors are green, white and gold and it has 7 faculties and a school of postgraduate studies.

#14 ADEKUNLE AJASIN UNIVERSITY

This university was established in 1982 and it is located in Akungba Akoko Ondo state and also has campuses in Ikare Akoko. Its motto is “FOR LEARNING AND FOR SERVICE”. This a state university. The name was changed from Ondo state university to Adekunle Ajasin university for the remembrance and for immortalizing the late governor Ajasin who was a governor of the old Ondo state

#15 BABCOCK UNIVERSITY

Babcock University was founded in the year 1999, this is owned by a private body and is located in Remo, Ogun state. Blue and gold are the official colors of the school with the motto “KNOWLEDGE, TRUTH, SERVICE”.

The tertiary institution is a private Christian university controlled by Seventh-day Adventist church. It has two campuses, the main campus at Ilishan-Remo and its mini campus at Iperu Remo.

#16 UNIVERSITY OF JOS – UNIJOS

This institution fondly called UNIJOS is located in Jos, the capital of Plateau state. It was founded in 1975. This university was firstly a satellite campus of the University of Ibadan in the year 1971.

UNIJOS was established by the late General Murtala Mohammed led military regime.

#17 LADOKE AKINTOLA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY – LAUTECH

This is an institution located in Ogbomosho and has the acronym LAUTECH. It was established in 1990 and its motto is “EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY AND SERVICE”. It is a state-owned university. Its color is maroon.

The present chancellor is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It has two campuses, one at Oyo and the other at Oshogbo.

#18 LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY – LASU

It is located in Ojo, Lagos state and was established in the year 1983. It motto is “PER LA VERIITA E DI SERVIZIO” meaning FOR TRUTH AND SERVICE”. It has its main campus at Ojo and other campuses at Epe and Ikeja.

#19 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY YOLA

This is located in Yola, Adamawa state and was established in 2004 by Atiku Abubakar. It is a privately owned university with the American style.

#20 UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT – UNIPORT

UNIPORT has it is fondly called was established in 1975 and at first, operated as a University College. It officially became a university in 1977 after 2 years of operating as a university college.

In 2015, the version of Times Higher Education recognized UNIPORT as the sixth-best African University. This institution has 12 faculties. Its colors are blue and white and its motto is “FOR ENLIGHTENMENT AND SELF RELIANCE”.

The above shows the list of top 20 best universities in Nigeria, their locations, motto and year they were founded. With the above list, aspiring candidates would be able to select schools of their choice as well as schools that suit their locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which University is the best in Nigeria 2018?

The best University in Nigeria in 2018 was the University of Ibadan.

Which University is the best in Nigeria 2019?

The best University in Nigeria in 2019 was the University of Ibadan.

Which University is the best in Nigeria 2020?

The best University in Nigeria in 2020 is University of Ibadan.