Top 10 Best Federal Universities in Nigeria & Courses (2025)
Federal universities in Nigeria are higher institutions of learning owned and funded by the federal government of Nigeria. They are considered to be the best universities in the country, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various disciplines.
There are currently over 45 federal universities in Nigeria, located in different parts of the country. These universities are known for their high academic standards, qualified faculty, and well-equipped facilities. They also attract the best students from all over Nigeria.
There are many benefits to studying at a federal university in Nigeria. Some of these benefits include:
- Access to high-quality education and training
- Opportunity to learn from experienced and qualified faculty
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources
- Wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs to choose from
- Affordable tuition fees
- Chance to meet and network with students from all over Nigeria
If you are considering studying at a federal university in Nigeria, it is important to do your research and choose the university that is right for you. Consider your academic interests and career goals, as well as the admission requirements, tuition fees, and other costs of the different universities.
In this blog post, we will take a look at the top 10 best federal universities in Nigeria in 2025, and discuss the different courses they offer. We will also provide tips on how to choose a federal university in Nigeria.
TOP 10 BEST FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA
The following are the top 10 best federal universities in Nigeria in 2025, according to various rankings and reviews:
- University of Ibadan (UI): UI is the oldest university in Nigeria and is consistently ranked as the best university in the country. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various disciplines, including medicine and health sciences, engineering and technology, agriculture and natural sciences, arts and humanities, social sciences, business and management, and education and law.
- University of Lagos (UNILAG): UNILAG is another highly ranked federal university in Nigeria. It is known for its strong programs in law, medicine, engineering, and the social sciences.
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU): OAU is a leading federal university in southwestern Nigeria. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various disciplines, including medicine, engineering, law, agriculture, and the humanities.
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN): UNN is a top federal university in southeastern Nigeria. It is known for its strong programs in medicine, engineering, agriculture, and the social sciences.
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU): ABU is a leading federal university in northern Nigeria. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various disciplines, including medicine, engineering, agriculture, law, and the humanities.
- University of Benin (UNIBEN): UNIBEN is a top federal university in southern Nigeria. It is known for its strong programs in medicine, engineering, law, agriculture, and the humanities.
- Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA): FUTA is a leading federal university of technology in southwestern Nigeria. It is known for its strong programs in engineering, agriculture, and the applied sciences.
- Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA): FUTMINNA is another leading federal university of technology in Nigeria. It is known for its strong programs in engineering, agriculture, and the applied sciences.
- University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB): FUNAAB is a leading federal university of agriculture in southwestern Nigeria. It is known for its strong programs in agriculture, food science, and the applied sciences.
- University of Abuja (UNIABUJA): UNIABUJA is a leading federal university in the nation’s capital. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various disciplines, including medicine, engineering, law, agriculture, and the humanities.
COURSES OFFERED AT FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA
Federal universities in Nigeria offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various disciplines. Some of the most popular courses offered at federal universities in Nigeria include:
- Medicine and Health Sciences: Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health.
- Engineering and Technology: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Petroleum Engineering.
- Agriculture and Natural Sciences: Agriculture, Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Environmental Management, Food Science and Nutrition.
- Arts and Humanities: English Language, History, Philosophy, Religion, Linguistics.
- Social Sciences: Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Law and Mass Communication.
- Business and Management: Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, Marketing, Human Resource Management.
- Education: Primary Education, Secondary Education, Educational Management, Special Education, Curriculum Studies.
HOW TO CHOOSE A FEDERAL UNIVERSITY IN NIGERIA
When choosing a federal university in Nigeria as a student, it is important to consider the following factors:
- Academic interests and career goals: Choose a university that offers programs in your areas of academic interest and that will prepare you for your desired career.
- University ranking and reputation: Research different federal universities and their rankings in various rankings systems. This will give you an idea of the quality of education offered by each university.
- Admission requirements: Make sure you meet the admission requirements of the universities you are interested in.
- Tuition fees and other costs: Compare the tuition fees and other costs of the different universities.
- Location: Consider the location of the universities you are interested in. Do you want to study in a city or in a rural area?
HOW TO APPLY TO A FEDERAL UNIVERSITY IN NIGERIA AS A NEW STUDENT
If you want to enter any of these federal schools, follow these steps below to apply to these universities.
To apply to a federal university in Nigeria, you will need to:
- Meet the admission requirements. Each federal university has its own admission requirements, but they typically include a certain minimum score on the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and/or the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
- Register for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) UTME. The JAMB UTME is a standardized test that all students in Nigeria must take in order to be admitted to a university. You can register for the UTME online at the JAMB website.
- Choose your federal universities. You can choose up to four federal universities to apply to on your JAMB UTME registration form.
- Apply to the federal universities of your choice. Each federal university has its own application process. You can usually apply online or in person.
- Submit all required documentation. The required documentation will vary depending on the university, but it typically includes your JAMB UTME score report, WASSCE results, and copies of your birth certificate and passport.
- Pay the application fee. Each federal university has its own application fee. You can usually pay the application fee online or in person.
- Once you have submitted your application and paid the application fee, you will need to wait for the university to review your application and make a decision. If you are accepted, you will receive an admission letter from the university.
CONCLUSION
Federal universities in Nigeria offer high-quality education and training in a wide range of disciplines. They are also relatively affordable, making them a good option for Nigerian students. If you are considering studying at any of the federal universities listed above, be sure to apply early and submit all of the required documentation. The admission process can be competitive, so it is important to give yourself the best chance of being accepted.