Best universities in Nigeria 2023
Explore the best universities in Nigeria, based on data collected by Times Higher Education for the Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings
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Top 7 universities in Nigeria
Scroll down for the full list of best universities in Nigeria
| Nigeria Rank 2023 | SSA Rank 2023 | University | City |
| 1 | 7 | Covenant University | Ota |
| 2 | 26 | Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta | Abeokuta |
| 3 | 30 | Benson Idahosa University | Benin City |
| 4 | =31 | Nnamdi Azikiwe University | Awka |
| 5 | 35 | Redeemer’s University | Ede |
| 6 | 36 | University of Ibadan | Oyo |
| 7 | 37 | University of Cross River State | Calabar |
| 8 | =39 | Obafemi Awolowo University | Ife |
| 9 | 43 | Umaru Musa Yar’adua University | Katsina |
| 10 | 45 | Adeleke University | Ede |
Nigeria is a country on a steep ascent, with a steadily growing economy and population.
Proportionally, its youth population is one of the largest in the world, and the nation has a blossoming higher education sector.
These are the best universities in Nigeria, based on the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings.
The difference between the World University Rankings and Sub-Saharan Africa Rankings is that the World University Rankings provide an insight into research-intensive universities across the world. They are ideal for people who are interested in postgraduate studies or careers in academia.
Meanwhile, the Sub-Saharan Africa Rankings are focused more specifically on the quality of teaching at universities across Sub-Saharan Africa. The ranking took into account responses from a survey of more than 20,000 students from 88 universities in the region. This ranking has been designed to take into consideration aspects of both Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Some 37 Nigerian universities feature in the Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings.
Top 5 universities in Nigeria
5. Redeemer’s University
Redeemer’s University is based in Ede, Osun State. It is a private university that was established in 2005.
Students can study courses from the faculties of basic medical science, engineering, built environment, humanities, law, management science, natural science, and social science.
The Tekena Tamuno Library is the university’s main academic library, while there are also specific libraries for law, engineering and basic medical sciences.
4. Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Nnamdi Azikiwe University is located in Akwa, the capital city of Anambra State, Nigeria. Established in 1991, the university has campuses in Awka, Nnewi, Agulu and Ifite-Ogwuari in Ayamelum local government area.
The university has 57 departments spread across 14 faculties: agriculture, arts, basic medical sciences, biosciences, education, engineering, environmental sciences, health sciences and technology, law, management sciences, medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, physical sciences and social sciences.
The university has developed Strategy 2030 to outline its priorities over the next few years. The main aim of the strategy is to produce graduates with a range of specific skills, including logical reasoning, oral and written communication skills, numeracy and computer literacy and self-employability.
3. Benson Idahosa University
Benson Idahosa University was founded in 1993 as Christian Faith University, offering courses in basic science and management. The university was renamed in 1999 in honour of its founder Benson Idahosa, a Pentecostal preacher.
The faculties of arts and education, science, law, social and management science, and basic medical and health sciences are based in Benin City, with agriculture and engineering at the Legacy campus opened in the Okha district in 2020.
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2. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta is one of three federal universities of agriculture created by Nigeria’s government in 1988. It moved to its present location, a 10,000 hectare site 10 miles outside the city of Abeokuta, capital of Ogun state, in 1997.
It is divided into colleges of environmental research management, animal science and livestock production, agricultural management and rural development, plant science and crop production, biological science, food science and human ecology, engineering, physical science, and veterinary medicine.
The Veterinary School was created in 2005 on the Isale-Igbein mini-campus to enable local access, and was extended by the opening of the veterinary hospital in 2014. There are plans for two more rural satellite veterinary clinics.
1. Covenant University
Covenant University was established in 2002 by the World Mission Agency and the Living Faith Church Worldwide. It is a private Pentecostal Christian university located in Ota, Nigeria.
The university is organised into four colleges: business and social sciences; leadership and development studies; engineering, and science and technology. Each college offers a range of degree programmes and vocational courses.
The best universities in Nigeria 2023
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