10 Best Public Universities in Nigeria 2023

Despite the uncertainty in maintaining high standards of public Universities by the Nigerian Government, we have compiled a list of the 10 Best Public Universities in Nigeria.

A Public University is one owned by or receives significant Federal or State government funding.

Best Public Universities in Nigeria 2023

The ranking of Universities in Nigeria had been put on hold prior to writing this article.

However, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) shed light early this year that a board has been designated to counsel the Commission on ranking the best Public Universities in Nigeria.

Here are the top 10 best Public Universities in Nigeria.

University of Ibadan (UI)

University of Ibadan (UI) was founded in 1948. The University is located in Agbowo, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

UI is a Nigerian institution awarding degrees since 1948 and is the first University in Nigeria. The University of Ibadan has helped to advance Nigeria’s political, business, economic, and cultural growth through its network of graduates.

The University is an internationally recognized institution officially recognized and accredited by NUC, the National Universities Commission of Nigeria.

In contrast to what some Nigerians think, the University of Ibadan was not established as an independent university. It was established by the British government as a College in 1948 and was affiliated with the University of London.

UI’s Vision is to be a world-class university for academic achievement focused on satisfying societal requirements. UI is one of the best public universities in Nigeria.

For more information about UI not mentioned here, visit the school’s official website.

Faculties at the University of Ibadan (UI)

• Agriculture and Forestry
• Arts
• Technology
• Dentistry
• Basic Medical Sciences
• Clinical Sciences
• Education
• Law
• Pharmacy
• Public Health
• Science
• The Social Sciences
• Veterinary Medicine
• Renewable natural resources
• Environmental design and management
• Economics

Remarkable Alumni of the University Of Ibadan (UI)

• Prof. Wole Soyinka (Nobel Prize Winner in Literature)
• William Kumuyi (General Overseer of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry)
• Gabriel Afolayan (Nigerian actor and singer)
• Benedict Ayade (current governor of Cross River State)

University of Lagos (UNILAG)

University of Lagos (UNILAG) was founded in 1962. The University is located in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Listed among the best institutions in the world by prestigious education publications, UNILAG is one of Nigeria’s first-generation Universities.

The University is an internationally recognized institution officially recognized and accredited by NUC, the National Universities Commission of Nigeria.

UNILAG’s Vision is “to be a globally rated University providing an excellent educational experience with high impact on society.” UNILAG is one of the best public universities in Nigeria.

For more information about UNILAG not mentioned here, visit the school’s official website.

Faculties at the University of Lagos (UNILAG)

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

Remarkable Alumni of the University Of Lagos (UNILAG)

• Genevieve Nnaji (Nigerian actress, producer, and director.)
• Enoch Adeboye (General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God)
• Yemi Osinbajo (Vice President of Nigeria 2015 – 2023)

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU)

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU), was founded in 1962 in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

The University is an internationally recognized institution officially recognized and accredited by NUC, the National Universities Commission of Nigeria.

The Mission of OAU is to nurture a learning and teaching community; advance knowledge frontiers; foster a spirit of selfless public service; and enrich African culture.

OAU offers courses such as Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, Law, Mass Communication, and many more. OAU is one of the best Public Universities in Nigeria.

For more information about OAU not mentioned here, visit the school’s official website.

Faculties at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)

• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• Faculty of Engineering & Technology
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Law
• Faculties of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Pharmacy
• Faculty of Environmental Design and Management
• Faculty of Administration

Remarkable Alumni of OAU

• Femi Otedola (Founder of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, 16th richest in Africa)
• Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (Nigerian actress, singer, philanthropist, and former model.)
• Akinwumi Adesina (President of the African Development Bank)

University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) was founded in 1960. The University is located in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

UNN is Nigeria’s first self-governing University modeled after the American educational system.

The University, which has more than 20,000 students, is one of the few in Africa that provides research and astronomy courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The University is an internationally recognized institution officially recognized and accredited by NUC, the National Universities Commission of Nigeria. UNN is one of the best public universities in Nigeria.

For more information about UNN not mentioned here, visit the school’s official website.

Faculties at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka

• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Agriculture
• Faculty of Biological Sciences
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Business Administration
• Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Faculty of Dentistry
• Faculty of Environmental Studies
• Faculty of Medical Sciences
• Faculty of Health Science and Technology
• Faculty of Physical Sciences
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• Faculty of Social Sciences

Remarkable Alumni of UNN

• Peter Obi (Nigerian politician and businessman)
• Godwin Emefiele (Governor of the Central Bank Of Nigeria)
• Charles Soludo (CBN Governor, 2004 -2009, Anambra state governor)

University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)

University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) was founded in 1975. The University is located in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

The University is an internationally recognized institution officially recognized and accredited by NUC, the National Universities Commission of Nigeria.

The University of Ilorin, frequently referred to as the best institution in Nigeria, is a university the federal government funds and owns.

UNILORIN’s Mission is “To provide a world-class environment for learning, research, and community service.” UNILORIN is one of the best public universities in Nigeria.

For more information about UNILORIN not mentioned here, visit the school’s official website.

Faculties at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)

• Faculty of Environmental Sciences
• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Life Sciences
• Faculty of Agriculture
• Faculty of Management Sciences
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Physical Sciences
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• College of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Engineering and Technology
• Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Law
• Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences

Remarkable Alumni of UNILORIN

• Is-haq Oloyede (JAMB Registrar)
• Nkem Owoh (Nigerian actor and musician)

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU)

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) was founded in 1962 in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The University is an internationally recognized institution officially recognized and accredited by NUC, the National Universities Commission of Nigeria.

The Motto of ABU is “The first duty of every university is the search for and the spread of knowledge and the establishment of the nation.” meaning the University is always ready to extend broad knowledge to all its students.

ABU is one of the best Public Universities in Nigeria.

For more information about ABU not mentioned here, visit the school’s official website.

Faculties at Ahmadu Bello University

• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Agriculture
• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Administration
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Environmental Design
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• Faculty of Physical Sciences
• Faculty of Life Science
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Remarkable Alumni of ABU

• Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (Khalifa Sanusi II)
• Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (President of Nigeria from 2007-2010)
• Namadi Sambo (Vice President of Nigeria from 19 May 2010 to 29 May 2015)

University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT)

University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT) was founded in 1975. The University is located in Choba Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Almost 50,000 students attend (UNIPORT), a second-generation Federal University emphasizing Petroleum Engineering.

Many students from various ethnic backgrounds, both local and international, attend classes at the UNIPORT.

The University is an internationally recognized institution officially recognized and accredited by NUC, the National Universities Commission of Nigeria.

UNIPORT’s Vision “aims to be ranked amongst the best Universities in Africa, renowned for its teaching, research, creativity, and innovation.” UNIPORT is one of the best public universities in Nigeria.

For more information about UNIPORT not mentioned here, visit the school’s official website.

Faculties at the University of Port Harcourt

• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• Faculty of Agriculture
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Management Sciences
• College of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Pharmacy
• Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
• Faculty of Natural and Applied Science
• Faculty of Dentistry

Remarkable Alumni of UNIPORT

• Goodluck Jonathan (President of Nigeria 2010-2015)
• Agbani Darego (Nigerian model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss World in 2001)
• Rotimi Amaechi (Nigerian politician)

University of Benin (UNIBEN)

University of Benin (UNIBEN) was founded in 1970. The University is situated in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Being one of Nigeria’s oldest universities, UNIBEN boasts a sizable staff and student body.

The University is an internationally recognized institution officially recognized and accredited by NUC, the National Universities Commission of Nigeria.

UNIBEN’s Vision is “to develop the Human mind to be creative, Innovative, competent in areas of specialization, Knowledgeable in Entrepreneur and dedicated to service.” UNIBEN is one of the best public universities in Nigeria.

For more information about UNIBEN not mentioned here, visit the school’s official website.

Faculties at the University of Benin

• Agriculture
• Environmental Science
• Education
• Engineering
• Arts
• Life Science
• Veterinary Medicine
• Management Science
• Pharmacy
• Law
• Social Science
• College of Medicine
• Physical Science

Remarkable Alumni of UNIBEN

• Babatunde Fashola (Nigerian lawyer and current Federal Minister of Works and Housing)
• Emmanuel Uduaghan (Governor of Delta State 2007-2015)
• Richard Mofe Damijo (lawyer, Nigerian actor, producer, writer, and former journalist)

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) is in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. The institution has about 30,000 students and employs over 3,000, including contract workers.

LAUTECH offers academic opportunities in technological-oriented fields.

The academic programs offered at the university span different fields of specialization, which include management, pure and applied sciences, health sciences, engineering, and environmental sciences.

LAUTECH has a modern library that is fully computerized. With these facilities, LAUTECH is the best choice for research and industry-focused individuals. LAUTECH is one of the best public universities in Nigeria.

Visit School Website for more information not already mentioned.

Faculties at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

• Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences
• Faculty of Nursing Sciences.
• Faculty of Engineering and Technology.
• Faculty of Computing and Informatics.
• Faculty of Food and Consumer Sciences.
• Faculty of Management Sciences.

Remarkable Alumni of LAUTECH

• Samson Abioye ( Nigerian computer programmer and internet entrepreneur)
• Shina Peter (politician, CEO of Aquila Records, and owner of Club Quilox)
• Seyi George Olofinjana (Nigerian former footballer)

Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)

Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) was founded in 1982. The University is located in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

FUTMINNA, a research institute in Minna, Niger State, is known to have helped the nation create medicines and vaccines.

The University is an internationally recognized institution officially recognized and accredited by NUC, the National Universities Commission of Nigeria.

“Become a world-class and Nigeria’s top University recognized for its excellence in capacity building and service delivery” is the stated Mission of FUTMINNA. FUTMINNA is one of the best public universities in Nigeria.

For more information about FUTMINNA, not mentioned here, visit the school’s official website.

Faculties at FUTMINNA

• School of Entrepreneurship and Management Technology
• School of Agriculture and Agriculture Technology
• School of Electrical Engineering Technology
• School of Environmental Technology
• School of Postgraduate Studies
• School of Infrastructure, Process and Engineering Technology
• School of Physical Sciences
• School of Life Sciences
• School of Information and Communication Technology
• School of Technology Education

Remarkable Alumni of FUTMINNA

• Uche Jombo (Nigerian actress, film producer, and screenwriter)
• Daniel Etim Effiong (Actor and filmmaker)

Problems Facing Public Universities in Nigeria

Given the value of education and its role in nation-building, Nigeria’s high demand for education should receive the attention it merits in bringing its institutions up to par with those found around the world.

“Our higher education system is in desperate need of changes,” according to Professor Abubakar Rasheed, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The difficulties the Nigerian higher education system faces are grave, and they have lowered the standard of our higher education over time.

Given this assertion, is it surprising that Nigerians will seize any chance to study abroad?

These difficulties are numerous, but the main ones are highlighted here.

Poor Funding

Nigeria has a rising demand for higher education, but there are not enough resources to satisfy this demand.

It is well known that the Nigerian Education sector is one of the few that does not receive an adequate budget allotment.

Inadequate Infrastructure

Only about 30% of Nigeria’s student population has sufficient access to classrooms, lecture halls, laboratories, workshops, and libraries, according to a survey by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Obsolete Educational System

The 1960s conversion of the University of Ibadan from a college to a university resulted in the establishment of the system still in use in Nigerian institutions today.

It was the first institution to be founded in Nigeria, and the same academic traditions from the 19th century are still in use today. There is a severe shortage of innovation to keep up with the new international standards.

Strike Actions

Financial disputes between the government and the different staff unions, student excesses like riots, and other problems that force strikes or temporary closures of universities endanger the viability of organizations.

These actions both impact both students and the institutions’ performance.

Factors to Consider in Choosing a Public University in Nigeria

• Accreditation.
• The course of study.
• Catchment Area.
• Strike History.
• Campus life.
• Admission Requirements and Process.
• School Calendar.
• Size of the School.
• Accommodation
• Learning Facilities

Conclusion

Although they are a good number of excellent Public Universities in Nigeria, these are the ten best public universities in Nigeria, and they are all solely based on merit.

Therefore, when you are considering an institution to attend to further your education, pick from the list above.

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