As a student or parent in Nigeria, you may choose to make the hefty financial sacrifice of placing your child or ward in a private university. And it must be well worth it; which is why we have compiled a list of the top 10 private universities in Nigeria for you, in this article. Meanwhile, it is no longer news that obtaining the best quality education in Nigeria can be rather expensive. That of course cuts across all levels of education whether primary, secondary or tertiary. In fact, some schools are known to receive tuition fees in the range of millions of Naira (or US Dollars) per term, or per semester.
Hence we need to ask: which private universities in Nigeria truly deserve accolades and furthermore, patronage for excellent teaching? Or have the best learning facilities and conducive environment? Consider the safety of your kids also. In short, which private universities in Nigeria are the best alternatives to seeking admission into foreign universities? I encourage our readers to read carefully through this article, and explore the top 10 private universities in Nigeria at your disposal. You would very likely discover the reasons we recommend them to you.
Private Universities in Nigeria: General Statistics
The National Universities Commission (NUC) website, in its most recent list of private universities in Nigeria showed a total of 111 fully approved private universities. That holds true as of April 2024.
Also note that these private universities do not require their prospective students to undergo the JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) examinations as criteria for admission.
JAMB is the authorized examination body appointed to oversee and conduct the first stage of matriculation examination into all federal and state higher institutions in Nigeria.
Thus, each private university conducts its own matriculation examination (POST-UTME) and qualification interviews for students. Also, each private university is deemed to set its own tuition fees and general admission requirements, in conformity with the rules of the NUC.
However, it would be necessary for a prospective candidate to have all his/her O’level results intact (WAEC or NECO as the case may be). Particularly the mandatory 5 credits in Mathematics, English and the required course-related subjects.
Private Universities in Nigeria: World Rankings
We are excited to say our private universities in Nigeria have featured prominently in the Times Higher Education (THE) website’s latest world universities rankings of October 2023.
A quick summary of our findings from these sites are presented below.
Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State: Statistics
- THE World university Rankings: National 1st / sub-Saharan 7th / Overall 70.0
Strong points:
- Four Colleges (Colleges of Engineering, Science & Technology, Business & Social Sciences, Leadership & Development Studies),
- ten student halls of residence,
- a lecture theater with two lecture halls (2500-seater and 1400-seater halls respectively),
- a 3-storey central library,
- a stadium hosting several varieties of sports,
- 1500-capacity postgraduate hall of residence,
- 9,236-capacity undergraduate students’ hostels (5 male and 5 female halls of residence),
- three specialized centres of learning (Centre for Entrepreneurship Development Studies, African Leadership Development Centre, and Centre for Research, Innovation and Discovery) .
Benson Idahosa University: Statistics
- THE World university Rankings: National 2nd / sub-Saharan 30th / Overall 57.8
Strong points:
- Four faculties (Faculties of Engineering, Science, Law, Social & Management Sciences, Art & Education, and Agriculture)
- College of Medicine
- School of Postgraduate Studies
- comfortable students’ hostels
- an active health clinic (run by Faith Mediplex)
- a well-developed Sports units with the following standard facilities: Basketball & Volleyball courts; Tennis & Badminton courts; Football Field; Table Tennis Hall; Chess and scrabble training venue; Fitness Gym centre; and Storeroom)
- A main library and Law library
- a Research Directorate.
Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State: Statistics
- THE World university Rankings: National 3rd / sub-Saharan 35th / Overall 54.6
Strong points:
- Eight faculties (Humanities, Law, Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Natural Sciences, Built Environment Studies, Basic Medical Sciences, and Engineering)
- College of Postgraduate Studies (with 16 departments)
- top-5 cafeterias
- quality on-campus students’ hostels
- a main library (Tekena Tamuno Library) with over 35,000 books, and faculty libraries
- sports facilities
- an award-winning research centre (ACEGID)
- a central library.
Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State: Statistics
- THE World university Rankings: National 4th / sub-Saharan 45th / Overall 50.9
Strong points:
- Five Faculties (Faculties of Arts, Basic Medical Sciences, Business and Social Sciences, Engineering, Law, and Science)
- Faculty of Postgraduate Studies
- a health center
- computer labs
- a standard library with internet facility
- modern recreation facilities (basketball and table tennis courts, football field, etc)
Also Read- Top 10 Federal Universities in Nigeria 2023
Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State: Statistics
- THE World university Rankings: National 5th / sub-Saharan 49th / Overall 49.5
Strong points:
- Four Colleges (Pure & Applied Sciences, Engineering, Agricultural Sciences, and Business & Social Sciences)
- School of Postgraduate Studies
- eight on-campus student hostels
- several modern lecture rooms
- extensive Engineering workshop
- well-equipped laboratories
- a large central library
- a large ICT centre (CSIS).
Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo Ogun State: Statistics
- THE World university Rankings: National 6th / sub-Saharan 50th / Overall 49.3
Strong points:
- Ten schools (Law & Security Studies; Education & Humanities; Nursing Science; Public & Allied Health; Management Sciences; Computing & Engineering Sciences; Science & Technology; Veronica Adeleke School of Social Sciences; Benjamin S. Carson (Snr) School of Medicine/College of Health & Medical Sciences)
- College of Postgraduate Studies
- 2 specialized centres of learning (Entrepreneurship Development Centre, and Centre for Executive Development)
- a Business School
- well-developed sports unit (with a stadium; swimming pool; basketball, volleyball & tennis courts;
- on-campus student halls of residence (regular, classic & premium)
- a teaching hospital
- a library
- good laboratories
- a university chapel
Ajayi Crowther University, Ibadan, Oyo State: Statistics
- THE World university Rankings: National 7th / sub-Saharan 51-60th / Overall 46-48.7
Strong points:
- 11 faculties running 45 academic courses. The faculties are Faculties of Law, Humanities, Management Sciences, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Agriculture, Basic Medical Sciences, Communication & Media Studies, Engineering, Education, and Humanities.
- 5 fully residential students’ halls of residence
- 2 well-equipped libraries
- Top-notch sports facilities (including gymnasium; volleyball, lawn tennis, basketball and badminton courts; and football pitch)
- A central library (T. Y. Danjuma library) with 20,000 book volumes
Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State: Statistics
THE World university Rankings: National 8th / sub-Saharan 51-60th / Overall 46-48.7
THEStrong points:
- Four colleges and 35 departments. The colleges are Engineering, Natural & Applied Sciences, Management Sciences; Information and Communication Technology; Environmental Sciences; and Food Science & Technology
- Central research and teaching laboratory
- Four specialized centres of learning and research. They include ICT Resources Centre, Skills Development Resource Centre, Centre for Foundation Education, Centre for Climate Change, and Centre for Agricultural Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies)
- Adequate sports facilities
- Well-equipped libraries, laboratories, lecture halls, and computer centers
Baze University, Cadastral Zone Abuja: Statistics
- THE World university Rankings: National 9th / sub-Saharan 61-70th / Overall 42.6-45.8
Strong points:
- Five Faculties (Management & Social Sciences, Law, Computing & Applied Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Medical & Health Sciences),
- a Postgraduate school,
- four blocks of student hostels (500 capacity each)
- a Library Complex
- University hospital
Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State: Statistics
- THE World university Rankings: National 10th / sub-Saharan 61-70th / Overall 42.6-45.8
Strong points:
- Five faculties (Faculties of Engineering, Social and Management Sciences, Basic and Applied Sciences, Law, and Humanities) with 24 departments altogether.
- Top-notch sporting facilities and equipment
- Top-notch teaching facilities
- well-developed libraries, including Law library with a Moot court
- quality ICT facilities
