The National Universities Commission(NUC) in collaboration with 4ICU, an internationally recognized and respected website that annually ranks universities globally has once released the list of the top 100 universities in Nigeria. Some time ago, the Federal Ministry of Education published lists of fake or discredited universities in Nigeria. The list was published because many students, over the years have been falling victim to those fake universities.
However, following thorough research, we have come up with a list of top universities in Nigeria that have been accredited by the NUC. It is important to note that this list does not only contain government-owned universities, but Federal, State, and Private universities in Nigeria.
Please note that the universities listed here do not in any way have a permanent position, they can either drop in the ranking or go higher as this depends on a whole lot of factors.
4icu alongside the NUC ranking is based on various factors, let’s take a look at some of the major factors for ranking these universities.
SIX (6) FACTORS FOR RANKING THE TOP 100 BEST UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA
A) SIZE AND QUALITY OF THE UNIVERSITY
Despite size not being a major ranking factor, it can be listed as one of the attributes when discussing top universities in Nigeria. There have been cases where people confuse the school with the biggest Landmass as the biggest University in Nigeria, it is a very wrong notion. Take Lagos state for instance, in terms of Landmass, Lagos is one of the smallest states but is regarded as the biggest and most populous in terms of development.
So in this case we are referring to the developed areas within the school and not just the size of the land the university is built on.
B) AVAILABILITY OF ADEQUATE LEARNING FACILITIES
It is not enough to have a lecture hall as even villages have town halls, what distinguishes halls are the specific needs they are built for. University lecture halls must be equipped with adequate desks and tables, public address systems, written materials, and other facilities for carrying out practicals when it does not require going to the Laboratory.
The lecture halls usually ought to come with Air conditioners to cozen up the room temperature, though, in the Nigerian setting, this seems like too much to ask for, it is such a pity.
C) QUALIFICATIONS OF LECTURERS
We based our ranking too on this factor. A major and important raking attribute when listing the top 100 universities in Nigeria. The quality service imparted to the students can make or mar the quality of graduates the school produces yearly and this has a chain effect on the economy as well.
Sometimes, it is not wholly about the qualifications of these lecturers because there is a big difference between knowing and the ability to pass it on to others, though that is not to override the importance of being qualified. Qualification and quality go hand in hand most times, the higher your qualifications, the better qualified you are for the job and that talks a lot about the quality of service you can render.
You can imagine an aging Professor in a lecture hall of about 400 students, truth be told, there will be no effective means of passing his messages across and managing such a crowd.
For a university to maintain its spot on the list of top universities in Nigeria, there should be an average increase in quality young and fresh lecturers at least every four (4) sessions. The number of Masters’s degree holders (a minimum qualification that must be strictly adhered to), Ph.D. holders, and Professors are also factors that were taken into account based on the ranking.
D) SPEED OF ACADEMIC CALENDAR (SESSION)
No student wants to spend more than the required number of years required for his or her course. By default, the university with the fastest academic calendar attracts the most candidates during UTME admission applications. So far, the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), ranks as the university with the fastest academic session in Nigeria, how is that possible? they broke out of ASUU and when it comes to disciplined lecturers, you can count on them.
Some of the under-listed schools can be counted on in terms of having a speedy academic calendar, which is the reason they possess the bragging rights of being among the top 100 best universities in Nigeria.
E) NUMBER OF FIRST-CLASS AND SECOND-CLASS UPPER GRADUATES
The number of Fist classes is synonymous with the quality of lecturers in the university. To whom much is given, much is expected. Since lecturers spend valuable time with their students, it is normal when the students to learn faster and gain more.
Ranking the best universities in Nigeria based on the number of First class and Second class upper has never been overestimated as this talks a whole lot about the quality of education being impacted on the students and in turn has a positive effect on the image of the university because they take the credit and not the lecturers who did the job.
F) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
This is where all Nigerian Universities which include Federal, state, and Private Universities have failed woefully. In other developed worlds, innovations and inventions come from universities.
Aside from lecturing, lecturers take pride in carrying out research of various kinds and have their names listed as a team of researchers that concluded or found the result of an age-long inquiry.
Here are university lecturers who are best at selling hand-outs and forcing students to buy half-baked plagiarized textbooks that practically hold no water, LOL! this is not to say there are none at all, in as much as they are careless about research, a fair share of the blame goes to the Federal and state government too who lack any sense of commitment to this very important area.
Also, Read the African University of Science and Technology Post UTME Form For 2022/2023 Is Out- Apply now
A country cannot grow without a solid R&D Research and Development ministry if there is anything called that because It is the backbone of any nation. Just a few of the universities listed here carry out research in their little ways, you can see them based on the ranking below.
There are other factors for ranking the best universities in Nigeria but for the sake of trying not to over bore you with too many words, let’s go straight to the list of the top 100 universities in Nigeria
Below is the list of the top 100 Universities in Nigeria for the year 2022, go through and see the number your university falls into
LIST OF TOP 100 UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA 2022 (PRIVATE STATES & FEDERAL)
Recommended Basic Computer Skills You Must Learn Before You Graduate
| Rank | University | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Lagos | Lagos |
| 2 | University of Nigeria | Nsukka |
| 3 | University of Ibadan | Ibadan |
| 4 | Obafemi Awolowo University | Ile-Ife |
| 5 | University of Port Harcourt | Port Harcourt |
| 6 | University of Ilorin | Ilorin |
| 7 | Covenant University | Ota |
| 8 | Ahmadu Bello University | Zaria |
| 9 | Federal University of Technology, Akure | Akure |
| 10 | Rivers State University | Port Harcourt |
| 11 | Adekunle Ajasin University | Akungba Akoko |
| 12 | Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta | Abeokuta |
| 13 | Landmark University | Omu-Aran |
| 14 | Afe Babalola University | Ado-Ekiti |
| 15 | University of Benin | Benin City |
| 16 | American University of Nigeria | Yola |
| 17 | Taraba State University | Jalingo |
| 18 | Ladoke Akintola University of Technology | Ogbomoso |
| 19 | Bayero University Kano | Kano |
| 20 | University of Jos | Jos |
| 21 | University of Abuja | Abuja |
| 22 | Babcock University | Ilishan-Remo |
| 23 | Nile University of Nigeria | Abuja |
| 24 | Federal University of Technology, Owerri | Owerri |
| 25 | Pan-Atlantic University | Lagos |
| 26 | Nnamdi Azikiwe University | Awka |
| 27 | Federal University, Oye-Ekiti | Oye-Ekiti |
| 28 | Veritas University | Abuja |
| 29 | Lagos State University | Ojo |
| 30 | Baze University | Abuja |
| 31 | University of Uyo | Uyo |
| 32 | Federal University of Technology, Minna | Minna |
| 33 | Usmanu Danfodio University | Sokoto |
| 34 | Federal University, Lokoja | Lokoja |
| 35 | African University of Science and Technology | Abuja |
| 36 | Olabisi Onabanjo University | Ago Iwoye |
| 37 | Ebonyi State University | Abakaliki |
| 38 | Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti | Ado-Ekiti |
| 39 | Redeemer’s University | Ede |
| 40 | Federal University, Otuoke | Otuoke |
| 41 | Benue State University | Makurdi |
| 42 | Nasarawa State University | Keffi |
| 43 | University of Calabar | Calabar |
| 44 | Tai Solarin University of Education | Ijebu-Ode |
| 45 | University of Maiduguri | Maiduguri |
| 46 | Osun State University | Oshogbo |
| 47 | Kwara State University | Ilorin |
| 48 | Bowen University | Iwo |
| 49 | Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University | Bauchi |
| 50 | Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University | Katsina |
| 51 | Skyline University Nigeria | Kano |
| 52 | Federal University, Dustin-Ma | Dustin-Ma |
| 53 | Kaduna State University | Kaduna |
| 54 | Abia State University | Uturu |
| 55 | Delta State University, Abraka | Abraka |
| 56 | Enugu State University of Science and Technology | Enugu |
| 57 | Mountain Top University | Makogi Oba |
| 58 | Federal University, Lafia | Lafia |
| 59 | Michael Okpara University of Agriculture | Umuahia |
| 60 | Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike | Ikwo |
| 61 | Lead City University | Ibadan |
| 62 | Cross River University of Technology | Calabar |
| 63 | Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University | Uli |
| 64 | Akwa Ibom State University | Ikot Akpad |
| 65 | University of Agriculture, Makurdi | Makurdi |
| 66 | Godfrey Okoye University | Ugwuomu-Nike |
| 67 | Federal University, Dutse | Dutse |
| 68 | Edo University | Iyamho |
| 69 | Al-Hikmah University | Ilorin |
| 70 | Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano | Kano |
| 71 | Ambrose Alli University | Ekpoma |
| 72 | Igbinedion University Okada | Okada |
| 73 | Federal University of Petroleum Resources | Effurun |
| 74 | Crawford University | Faith City |
| 75 | University of Medical Sciences | Ondo City |
| 76 | Imo State University | Owerri |
| 77 | Niger Delta University | Wilberforce Island |
| 78 | Bells University of Technology | Ota |
| 79 | Benson Idahosa University | Benin City |
| 80 | Kogi State University | Anyigba |
| 81 | Adeleke University | Ede |
| 82 | Ajayi Crowther University | Oyo Town |
| 83 | Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University | Lapai |
| 84 | Elizade University | Ilara-Mokin |
| 85 | Southwestern University, Nigeria | Okun Owa |
| 86 | Chrisland University | Abeokuta |
| 87 | Caleb University | Imota |
| 88 | Joseph Ayo Babalola University | Ikeji-Arakeji |
| 89 | Bingham University | Auta Balifi |
| 90 | Fountain University, Osogbo | Oshogbo |
| 91 | Kola Daisi University | Ibadan |
| 92 | Achievers University, Owo | Owo |
| 93 | Yobe State University | Damaturu |
| 94 | Kano University of Science and Technology | Wudil |
| 95 | Federal University, Birnin Kebbi | Birnin Kebbi |
| 96 | Anchor University, Lagos | Lagos |
| 97 | The Technical University | Ibadan |
| 98 | Oduduwa University | Ile Ife |
| 99 | Ondo State University of Science and Technology | Okitipupa |
| 100 | Bauchi State University | Gadau |
| 101 | Modibbo Adama University of Technology | Yola |
| 102 | Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology, Abeokuta | Abeokuta |
| 103 | Kings University | Odeomu |
| 104 | Sule Lamido University | Kafin Hausa |
| 105 | Kebbi State University of Science and Technology | Aliero |
| 106 | Ignatius Ajuru University of Education | Port Harcourt |
| 107 | Caritas University | Enugu |
| 108 | Crescent University, Abeokuta | Abeokuta |
| 109 | Gombe State University | Gombe |
| 110 | Al-Qalam University, Katsina | Katsina |
| 111 | Federal University, Kashere | Kashere |
| 112 | Madonna University, Nigeria | Elele |
| 113 | Sokoto State University | Sokoto |
| 114 | Augustine University | Ilara |
| 115 | Federal University, Gusau | Gusau |
| 116 | Paul University | Awka |
| 117 | Atiba University | Oyo Town |
| 118 | Mcpherson University | Seriki-Sotayo |
| 119 | Plateau State University | Bokkos |
| 120 | Wesley University of Science and Technology | Ondo City |
| 121 | Adamawa State University | Mubi |
| 122 | Rhema University | Aba |
| 123 | Novena University | Ogume |
| 124 | Tansian University | Umunya |
| 125 | Obong University | Obong Ntak |
| 126 | University of Africa | Toru-Orua |
| 127 | Federal University, Wukari | Wukari |
| 128 | Michael and Cecilia Ibru University | Agbara-Otor |
| 129 | Gregory University, Uturu | Uturu |
| 130 | PAMO University of Medical Sciences | Port-Harcourt |
| 131 | Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko | Okerenghigho |
| 132 | University of Mkar | Mkar |
| 133 | Admiralty University of Nigeria | Ibusa |
| 134 | Dominican University, Ibadan | Ibadan |
| 135 | Wellspring University | Benin City |
| 136 | Christopher University | Mowe |
| 137 | Precious Cornerstone University | Ibadan |
| 138 | Summit University Offa | Offa |
| 139 | Salem University | Lokoja |
| 140 | Glorious Vision University | Ogwa |
| 141 | Renaissance University | Enugu |
| 142 | Evangel University, Akaeze | Enugu |
| 143 | Arthur Jarvis University | Calabar |
| 144 | Coal City University | Enugu |
| 145 | Eastern Palm University | Ogboko |
| 146 | Spiritan University, Nneochi | Umunneochi |
| 147 | Ritman University | Ikot Ekpene |
| 148 | Hezekiah University | Umudi |
| 149 | Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences | Ijanikin |
| 150 | Western Delta University | Oghara |
| 151 | Hallmark University, Ijebu-Itele | Ijebu-Itele |
| 152 | Clifford University | Ihie |
| 153 | Crown Hill University | Ilorin |
| 154 | Legacy University, Okija | Okija |
| 155 | Borno State University | Maiduguri |
| 156 | Kwararafa University, Wukari | Wukari |
| 157 | Federal University, Gashua | Gashua |
| 158 | Edwin Clark University | Kiagbodo |
| 159 | Gombe State University of Science and Technology | Kumo |
| 160 | Zamfara State University | Talata Mafara |
As opined earlier, the ranking is not a permanent one, it changes based on the above factors, any university that either fails to maintain or upgrade drops on the list, however, a university can maintain its position should the management keep up to what is expected by the NUC.
What position does your university fall under the list of top 100 universities in Nigeria? Comment your school’s position in the comment section below. Please note that this ranking is not cast in stone as they are subject to change
If you have any questions as regards the list of top 100 universities in Nigeria for 2022, kindly get back to us via the comment section below and we shall respond accordingly.
