A public university is a higher education institution that is mainly funded by the federal or state government. Public universities are what many Nigerians know as federal and state universities.
The problem with public universities in Nigeria is the constant strike in Nigeria that delay the academic calendars of students. That is why many with financial capacity opt for private universities in Nigeria.
So which is the best university in Nigeria today? Which state has the best university in Nigeria? What are the best universities in Nigeria according to NUC? In the post, we will discuss the 10 best public universities in Nigeria.
What's in this guide?
Best Public Universities in Nigeria
Here are the Top 10 public universities in Nigeria:
1. University Of Ibadan (UI)
The University of Ibadan is located in Ibadan in Oyo State. UI is the first and oldest degree-awarding institution in Nigeria.
Contrary to what many Nigerians think, the University of Ibadan was not established as a standalone university. It was built by the British government as a College in 1948, and it was affiliated with the University of London.
In 1967, seven years after Nigeria got her independence, UI became a fully functioning degree-awarding institution.
Faculties University Of Ibadan
The University of Ibadan offers more than 75 courses in which students can get a degree. They are grouped into 16 faculties.
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Arts
- Basic Medical Sciences
- Clinical Sciences
- Dentistry
- Education
- Law
- Pharmacy
- Public Health
- Science
- Technology
- The Social Sciences
- Veterinary Medicine
- Renewable natural resources
- Environmental design and management
- Economics
Notable Alumni of the University Of Ibadan
A university that has been in existence since 1948 will surely have graduates that have made many impacts, right?
- Prof. Wole Soyinka (Nobel Prize Winner in Literature)
- Kayode Fayemi (Governor of Ekiti State since 2018)
- William Kumuyi (Founder and General Overseer of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry)
- Chukwuemeka Ike (Writer of Potters Wheel, The Bottled Leopard, etc)
- Emeka Anyaoku (Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations)
- Chinua Achebe (Writer of Things Fall Apart, Arrow Of God, etc)
2. The University of Lagos (UNILAG)
The University of Lagos, widely known to many as UNILAG is a Federal Research University in Akoka, Lagos State.
UNILAG was founded in 1962 and has been providing qualitative and research-oriented learning to all students that have studied there.
Faculties at the University of Lagos
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Basic Medical Science
- Faculty of Business Administration
- Faculty of Clinical Sciences
- Faculty of Dental Sciences
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Environmental Science
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Pharmacy,
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Science
Notable Alumni of the University of Lagos
- Daniel Olukoya (Founder of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry)
- Funke Akindele (Famous Actress and celebrity)
- Yemi Osinbajo (Vice President of Nigeria 2015 – 2023)
- Wale Adenuga (Film Producer of the Super Story series)
- Omoyele Sowore (Activist and Founder of Sahara Reporters news agency)
- Reekado Banks (Musician and celebrity)
- Linda Ikeji (Popular Blogger)
- Oby Ezekwesili (Former Minister of Education)
3. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is a federal government-owned degree-awarding institution in Nigeria.
OAU was established in 1960 (as the University of Ife) but commenced learning in 1962. This university has more than 12,000 hectares of land, making it the second-largest university by land mass in Nigeria (after UNILORIN).
Faculties at Obafemi Awolowo University
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculties of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Administration
- Faculty of Engineering & technology
- Faculty of Environmental Design and Management
Notable Alumni of Obafemi Awolowo University
- 2Baba (Musician and model. The bald guy on Oraimo products)
- Seun Osewa
- Afeez Oyetoro
- Femi Falana
- Jimoh Ibrahim
- Dele Momodu
- Femi Otedola (Founder of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, 16th richest in Africa)
- Akinwumi Adeshina
- Oluremi Tinubu
4. University Of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka was the first full-fledged indigenous and first autonomous university in the country.
It was established by Nnamdi Azikiwe, who served as the first President of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966. UNN has over 14 Faculties and more than 100 departments.
Faculties at University Of Nigeria, Nsukka
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Biological Sciences
- Faculty of Business Administration
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Dentistry
- Faculty of Environmental Studies
- Faculty of Health Science and Technology
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Faculty of Physical Sciences
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Notable Alumni of the University Of Nigeria, Nsukka
- Godwin Emefiele (Governor of the Central Bank Of Nigeria)
- Charles Soludo (CBN Governor, 2004 -2009, Anambra state governor)
- Herbert Wigwe (CEO, Access Bank)
- Peter Odili
- Dora Akunyili (Former Director-General of NAFDAC)
- Chimaroke Nnamani
- Sullivan Chime
- Peter Obi (Former Governor of Anambra State, 2023 Presidential candidate under labour Party)
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5. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
UNILORIN is widely known all over Nigeria for its very fast academic calendar, an advantage not possessed by most other public universities in the country.
UNILORIN is the largest Nigerian university by land mass, having over 15,000 hectares of land.
In 2014, it became the first Nigerian university to be ranked among the top 20 universities in Africa.
Faculties at the University of Ilorin
- 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)
Notable Alumni of the University of Ilorin
- Is-haq Oloyede (JAMB Registrar)
- Nkem Owoh (Osuofia)
- Abdulfatah Ahmed
6. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU)
Ahmadu Bello University is the first Higher Education Institution in Northern Nigeria. It was founded in 1962 and has been a major learning centre for many students.
Faculties at Ahmadu Bello University
- Faculty of Administration
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Environmental Design
- Faculty of Life Science
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Physical Sciences
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Notable Alumni of Ahmadu Bello University
- Azubike Ihegirika
- Ibrahim Idris
- Donald Duke
- Yahaya Bello
- Dino Melaye
- Namadi Sambo
- Nuhu Ribadu
- Atiku Abubakar
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7. Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)
The Federal University of Technology, Minna is one of the 10 best public universities in Nigeria. FUTMINNA is respected for its advancement in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering.
Faculties at the Federal University of Technology, Minna
- 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 Postgraduate Studies
8. University Of Abuja
The University of Abuja was established in 1990 as a mini campus. It was later relocated to a new and permanent campus along Airport Road, Abuja.
Faculties at the University Of Abuja
- Arts
- Education
- Science
- Social Sciences
- Veterinary Science
- Management Sciences
- Engineering
- Agriculture
- Law
- College of Health Sciences
9. Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
The Federal University Of Technology, Akure was founded in 1981. FUTA is also widely known as one of the best technology schools in Nigeria.
While other universities boast of land mass and excellence in many fields, none has ever surpassed FUTA in the Computing, Information Technology and Software Engineering fields.
Faculties at the Federal University of Technology, Akure
- School of Sciences (SOS)
- School of Computing (SCOM)
- School of Environmental Technology (SET)
- School of Earth & Mineral Sciences (SEMS)
- School of Management Technology (SMAT)
- School of Health & Health Technology (SHHT)
- School of Agriculture & Agricultural Technology (SAAT)
- School of Engineering & Engineering Technology (SEET)
Notable Alumni of the Federal University of Technology, Akure
- Ndubuisi Ekekwe (Founder of First Atlantic Semiconductors & Microelectronics – West Africa’s leading embedded systems company)
- Taiwo Odubiyi (Wife to Rev. Sola Odubiyi, of The Still Waters Church International)
- Temidayo Oniosun (Founder and Managing Director of Space in Africa)
- Opeyemi Gbenga Kayode AKA Pepenazi (Songwriter and Recording Artist)
- Eniola Olaniyan (Popular Nollywood Actor)
- Sam Obiago (Popular Nollywood Actor)
10. University Of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT)
UNIPORT was founded in 1975 but was not recognized until 1977.
UNIPORT is ranked as one of the best universities in the South-southern part of Nigeria. In fact, it was ranked as the 6th best university in Africa and the best university in Nigeria by Times Higher Education (THE) in 2015.
Faculties at the University Of Port-Harcourt
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Management Sciences
- College of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Natural and Applied Science
- Faculty of Dentistry
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Law
Notable Alumni of the University Of Port-Harcourt
- Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015)
- Alex Otti
- Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (Former Governor of Rivers State, Minister of Transportation till 2022)
- Rita Dominic
- Yul Edochie
Conclusion
There are many standard public universities in Nigeria, but these are the top 10.
Note that all info on this page are not guessed or arbitrarily provided. They are from verified sources, including the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Times Higher Education (THE).
Also, they are all solely based on merit. We are not paid to include or exclude any individual or institution.
