Best Universities in Nigeria Rankings for 2019 is out on reputable world Universities ranking websites.
These top Universities in Nigeria is listed based on different criteria by global Universities ranking platforms.
The list below is based on Webometrics and Times Higher Education World University ranking lists for 2019.
Times Higher Education World University Rankings are global performance tables that judge research-intensive Universities across the core missions of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook of a University. Webometrics is also a renowned World Universities ranking organizations.
We base our list on the combined ranking of the above-mentioned bodies and the home-based National Union of Universities lists of the best universities in Nigeria in the year 2019.
Please note that this lists in no particular order. It contains the names of Universities that have been named by world universities ranking organizations.
Best Universities in Nigeria in 2019 Rankings
#1 University of Ibadan, Oyo State
The University of Ibadan sits gorgeously on top of the list of the best Universities in Nigeria in 2019.
Established in 1947 as the first University in Nigeria and a federal University, the school clocked 70 in 2017.
Some notable alumni of the University of Ibadan are:
- Chinua Achebe
- Bola Ige
- Ken Saro Wiwa
- Wole Soyinka
- Adebayo Faleti
- Dr SID
- Funmi Iyanda
Facts about the premier University of Ibadan that will interest you:
- At its establishment in 1947, the University of Ibadan, the best University in Nigeria as of 2019, had only 104 students. Today, the school boasts of over 35,000 students.
- Until 69 years after its establishment, the University of Ibadan did not produce a first-class student in the History department.
- UI is the first University to make it on the Times Higher Education World Universities Ranking.
- The University of Ibadan’s first indigenous Vice-Chancellor was Keneth Dike, hence the University’s first library was named after him.
#2 University of Nigeria, Nsukka
The University of Nigeria Nsukka is rated among the top ten best Universities in Nigeria in 2019.
The University of Nigeria Nsukka, also known as UNN is a federal University that was established in 1955 but did not officially open until the year 1960.
It is located in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria and has campuses in Nsukka, Ituku-Ozalla in Enugu
State and Aba in Abia State respectively.
UNN was founded by Nnamdi Azikwe with 220 students enrolled and 13 members of academic staff.
Today, the school boasts of a student population of about 36,000 and a staff strength of 1,519.
#3 University of Lagos, Akoka
The University of Lagos is one of the top universities in Nigeria in 2019.
Located in the metropolis city of Lagos, the school is very well known among its contemporaries in Nigeria and abroad.
Unilag was established in 1962 on Oct. 22.
It has three campuses in Akoka, Yaba and Surulere.
The school has 14 academic units consisting of 3 schools and 1 college.
When Unilag was established in 1962, they opened with 132 students.
Today, Unilag has about 40,000 students in various departments and schools.
Unilag has produced some of the highly famous and successful Nigerians from its inception till date.
Some of Unilag alumni are:
Genevieve Nnaji
Vice President Yemi Osibanjo
Funke Akindele
Tony Elumelu
Toke Makinwa
RMD, Annie Idibia
TY Bello
Ramsey Noah
Pastor Tunde Bakare and a host of others.
#4 Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife
Obafemi Awolowo University formerly known as the University of Ife maintains its reputation as one of the most prestigious and best universities in Nigeria.
Obafemi Awolowo University commonly known as OAU was established in 1961 and commenced classes in October 1962.
The university is located in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
The school was founded by the regional government of Western Nigeria, which was then led by late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola.
On May 12, 1987, the university was renamed Obafemi Awolowo University in honour of Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987), the first premier of the Western Region of Nigeria.
The school opened with 244 pioneer students at its temporary facilities, the previous college of arts and sciences in Ibadan. By 1967, the school began a movement to its permanent site at Ile-Ife.
Ife started the first Faculty of Pharmacy in West Africa, the first Department of Chemical Engineering and the first Electronics component in addition to Electrical Engineering.
Obafemi Awolowo University offers undergraduate and post-graduate programmes in fields of specialization spanning the humanities, the arts, the natural sciences, the social sciences, the medical sciences, engineering and technology.
In 1975, a new military government affected decrees making University of Ife a federal university.
The university boasts of 13 faculties and two colleges — the Postgraduate College and the College of Health Sciences — administered in more than 60 departments.
#5 Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State
Over the years, Covenant University has earned the reputation of being one of the leading private universities in Nigeria.
Little wonder Covenant University makes it on the list of the top 10 universities in Nigeria based on annual rankings from international organizations.
Covenant University opened on 21 October 2002 with a Christian mission ethos and committed to pioneering excellence at the cutting edge of learning.
The University’s academic programmes run in four Colleges: College of Business and Social Sciences (CBSS), College of Leadership Development Studies (CLDS), College of Engineering (COE) and College of Science and Technology (CST).
Covenant University has sports facilities such as swimming pool, football pitch, lawn tennis, table tennis, basketball, volleyball courts, etc.
Best Universities in Nigeria in 2019 Ranking – Full List
#6 Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
ABU, as it is commonly called, makes it on the list of the best Universities in Nigeria in 2019.
Ahmadu Bello University was founded on 4 October 1962 in Zaria, Kaduna State.
It is named after the Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, the first premier of Northern Nigeria.
The university operates two campuses: Samaru (main) and Kongo in Zaria.
Some of the notable alumni of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria are:
Atiku Abubakar GCON, former vice president, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Dino Melaye, senator, Kogi West
Donald Duke, former Cross River state governor
Sanusi Lamido, former governor Central Bank of Nigeria
Solomon Arase, former IGP, Nigeria Police Force
Jerry Gana, former information minister
Attahiru Jega, professor, former chairman INEC
#7 University of Ilorin, Ilorin
The University of Ilorin, particularly known for their speedy academic calendar is a top University in Nigeria 2019.
The University of Ilorin, better known as Unilorin was established it was established in August 1975 in Ilorin, Kwara State.
In 1975 when the University of Ilorin was established, it was a University College affiliated to University of Ibadan.
In October 1977, the institution attained full autonomous status with the appointment of Professor O.O Akinkugbe as first Vice-Chancellor of the University.
The first set of 200 students were admitted on the 23rd of October, 1976.
The University now has fifteen Faculties and dozens of (over 60) Academic Departments with about 50,000 students.
The University of Ilorin has the following faculties:
- Arts
- Agriculture
- Environmental Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Management Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Communication and Information Sciences
- Education
- Engineering and Technology
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Veterinary Medicine
- Law
- Basic Medical Sciences
- Clinical Sciences
#8 Federal University of Technology, Akure
The Federal University of Technology, Akure, known as FUTA was founded in 1981. It is one of the top Nigerian Universities that offer Science and Technology courses to students.
The school is located at the heart of Akure, Ondo State capital.
FUTA has nine schools:
- School of Science (SOS)
- School of Earth and Mineral Sciences (SEMS)
- School of Environmental Technology (SET)
- School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET)
- School of Agricultural and Agricultural Technology (SAAT)
- School of Management Technology (SMAT)
- School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS)
- School of Health and Health Technology (SHHT)
- School of Computing (SCOM)
The Federal University of Technology has been ranking as one of the top Universities in Nigeria in the past.
#9 Federal University of Technology, Minna
FUTMINNA was founded in 1983 in Minna Niger State.
FUTMINNA has 10 schools:
- School of Agriculture and Agriculture Technology
- School of Infrastructure, Process and Engineering Technology
- School of Electrical Engineering Technology
- School of Entrepreneurship and Management Technology
- School of Environmental Technology
- School of Life Sciences
- School of Physical Sciences
- School of Information and Communication Technology
- School of Technology Education
- School of Post Graduate Studies
#10 University of Port Harcourt
The University of Port Harcourt surely makes the top ten list of universities in Nigeria.
The University of Port Harcourt commonly referred to as Uniport was established in 1975 as University College, Port Harcourt.
In 1977 it was given the University status.
The University of Port Harcourt was ranked by Times Higher Education (THE) in 2015 as the sixth in Africa and the first in Nigeria.
The school has a population of about 45,000–55,000 students at undergraduate and post-graduate levels.
Some notable alumni of University of Port Harcourt are:
Rita Dominic
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
Agbani Darego
And many others.
Well, here you have it.
These are the top ten universities in Nigeria right now according to the latest international organization’s rankings.
We only hope these schools live up to their good names and even rank for world best universities someday.
