Top 10 Best Universities in Nigeria 2024: Current NUC Ranking

The list of top 10 universities in Nigeria 2024 as ranked by the National University Council (NUC) include:

1. UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN

This school is listed first as the best federal university in the country by the NUC and was featured in The Reuters Top 100 in their latest rankings of world universities 2023.

The University of Ibadan was formed in 1947. This academic institution was known as a college affiliated with the University of London. The college began with courses in Arts, Medicine and even in Science.

Over the years, it has since being accredited as an independent educational institution and offers numerous academic programmes and departments. The school has 13 faculties which include:

• Faculty of Arts,
• Faculty of Science,
• Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences,
• Faculty of Clinical Sciences,
• Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry,
• Faculty of Social Sciences,
• Faculty of Education,
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
• Faculty of Pharmacy,
• Faculty of Technology,
• Faculty of Law,
• Faculty of Public Health and
• Faculty of Dentistry

The University’s College of Medicine is currently rated as one of the best in Nigeria. UI has churned out many first class and second class graduates who are doing the nation proud both locally, regionally (west Africa) and internationally.

2. UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

Another top university in Nigeria recently ranked as second by the NUC is UNN established in the year 1955 by Nnamdi Azikiwe.

UNN is Nigeria’s first autonomous university that began formally on the 17th of July, 1960. This academic institution has 15 accredited faculties and 102 departments.

Aside this, the University of Nigeria also offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Normally, enrollment into UNN is done by writing JAMB and reaching the cut-off mark.

UNN has four campuses which are:

• Nsukka (University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN),
• Enugu (University of Nigeria Enugu campus, UNEC),
• Ituku-Ozalla (University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH) and
• Aba (University of Nigeria Aba campus, UNAC).

The school has hosted the NUGA games as well as other regional events that has to do with top universities in west Africa. No wonder the vice Chancellor made UNN one of the universities with an ICT Hub in West Africa.

The tertiary institution also boast of some notable alumni from UNN that are prominent in the country among which include:

• Godwin Emefiele
• Okechukwu Enelamah
• Charles Soludo (CBN Governor, 2004 -2009)
• Herbert Wigwe (CEO, Access Bank)
• Dora Akunyili
• Pat Utomi
• Ikenna Emewu
• Peter Obi

3. UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS, AKOKA

UNILAG is another popular tertiary institution in the country and is among the top universities in Nigeria.

The school was founded in 1962 with 3 campuses scattered around Lagos. The main campus is at Akoka, while the remaining two campuses is at Yaba and Surulere respectively.

UNILAG began academic operations with 131 students, but has over the years grown as one of the most populated universities in the country especially in the south western part of Nigeria.

The school boast of 12 accredited faculties with various departments and courses which include:

• Arts
• Basic Medical Science
• Business Administration
• Clinical Sciences
• Dental Sciences
• Education
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Law
• Pharmacy,
• Science
• Social Science

The University of Lagos or UNILAG has one of the best Distance Learning Institute offering professional courses in Accounting, Business Administration, Science Education, etc.

4. OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, OAU

OAU is the largest university in the country in terms of size and land mass covering a space of 11,862 hectares. It was previously known as the University of Ife, and founded in 1962.

Obafemi Awolowo University has been listed to be among the top 100 universities in the country according to International ranking based on quality education. No wonder students like putting this federal school as their first choice when applying for admission through JAMB.

Apart from being one of the oldest schools in the country, it was known to be one of the first academic institutions established in Africa around the 1970s and 1980s.

Obafemi Awolowo University has since produced first class graduates who have won the prestigious Nobel Laureate including several National Merit Awards.

According to its current vice chancellor, it is the vision of the University is to be one of the top best rated universities in Africa, using state of the art  technology in teaching, researching and community service to its students.

5. COVENANT UNIVERSITY

The best private university in Nigeria this 2024 according to the latest NUC ranking is Covenant University.

Although expensive in nature in terms of its tuition fee, this school can be classified as one of the leading world-class Christian Mission Universities in Africa.

The University was established by Dr David Oyedepo, one of the most respected pastors in the country and Bishop of the Living Faith Church also known as Winners Chapel.

With modern facilities and technological advancement in education, Covenant University was built on these core-values: Spirituality, Positive Mentality, Capacity Building, Integrity, Diligence and Sacrifice.

The institution started full operation in March 2002 after the Federal Government approved its license to operate as an independent private university.

6. AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ABU   

Ahmadu Bello University is known to be one of the top universities in the country located in the Northern part of Nigeria.

It was the Asby Commission that recommended that an academic institution of higher learning be established in the North. This gave rise to the establishment of ABU in 1962.

ABU was named after Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Premier of Northern Nigeria at that time and commenced operations in 1962. Currently, the university has 15 approved faculties

As of writing this post, the University is divided into 2 campuses. Enrollment into this school can be done through direct entry or via UTME.

Aside the 12 Faculties, there is also one Post-Graduate School plus eighty two accredited academic departments. Suffice to say that the vast majority of students in this university is about 40,000 person from different states.

With over 1,400 academic and research staff and its 6000 non-teaching, senior and junior administrative staff, Ahmadu Bello University merited its place in this NUC latest ranking as one of the best universities in the country.

Furthermore, this school was said to have pioneered the establishment of Abdullahi Bayero College (now Bayero University), Kano and the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa College (now Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University of Technology).

7. FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, MINNA

The Federal University of Technology, Minna is ranked 7th among the top universities in Nigeria. Founded in 1983, the school main objective was to facilitate academic excellence via quality education in Science, Engineering and Technology.

Located in Niger state capital Minna, the University occupies a 10,650 hectares of land in terms of size along Bida Road. It is also one of the biggest universities in Nigeria today in terms of size.

Within the school premise, you can find the following:

• School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT),
• School of Environmental Technology (SET),
• School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET) Buildings,
• Students Hostels,
• Students Center,
• University Library,
• Senate Building,
• Staff houses,
• Computer Centre as well as
• Industrial Development Centre.

With state of the arts equipment, the students of FUTMINNA are also very intelligent and have made great strides in the advancement of science and technology in the country.

8. UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, UNILORIN

The University of Ilorin is also one of the popular Universities in the country that is accredited by NUC.

There was a time when UNILORIN was the best academic institution in the country. Today it is ranked 8th since the emergence of other schools and colleges.

UNILORIN became the first University in Nigeria to be ranked among the top 20 universities in Africa in the year 2014.

The university offers various academic programmes in Arts, Science, Education, Business, Social Sciences and even basic Clinical sciences.

Presently, UNILORIN has 15 accredited faculties, colleges and postgraduate school namely:

• Faculty of Arts,
• Faculty of Agriculture,
• Faculty of Environmental Sciences,
• Faculty of Life Sciences,
• Faculty of Management Sciences,
• Faculty of Physical Sciences,
• Faculty of Social Sciences,
• Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences,
• Faculty of Education,
• Faculty of Engineering and Technology,
• Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science,
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Law;
• College of Health Sciences (with 2 Faculties-Basic Medical and Clinical Sciences)
• Institute of Education and Unilorin Sugar Research Institute); and
• The Postgraduate School.

Due to the high in take of students every year by various universities, JAMB recorded that UNILORIN had the highest number of applicants in the nation. This showed that the most preferred university in the country is the University of Illorin.

9. UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

UNIBEN is currently ranked 9th top university in the country and it is rated as one of the best schools that offer quality education in the country.

One of the achievements being attributed to UNIBEN is the appointment of the first female vice-Chancellor in the country, Dr. Grace Alele-Williams.

As of today, student enrollment at the university is pegged at 40,000 persons. This number comprises full-time and part-time students respectively.

University of Benin prestige has seen it collaborate with several world class universities including local and international bodies such as USAID, Ford Foundation, UNCF (United Negro College Fund).

10. UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA

The University of Abuja is currently ranked 10th best university in Nigeria according to NUC latest ranking.

The university was established in 1990. Since its establishment, the academic institution has produced graduates that have made the school proud.

The University has an expanse of land covering over 11,800 hectares along the Abuja road where the main campus would be located.

Within the new University campus you would find the following

• Senate Chamber,
• Science Laboratories,
• Faculty of Law,
• Faculty of Management Sciences,
• Faculty of Education,
• Faculty of Social Sciences,
• School of Remedial Studies and the
• Institute of Education.

The University of Abuja has a well equipped Medical Centre with modern facilities. They are also one of the best medical schools in the country.

What’s your take on this NUC latest ranking of top 10 universities in Nigeria 2024.