Top 10 Public Universities in Nigeria

By Akindele Olalekan

Nigeria is home to some of the  best  Universities on the continent and some of her Public schools have been ranked very high worldwide.

Here is a list of the top ten Public Universities in Nigeria.

1. University of Lagos

Sitting on top of this list is the University of Lagos . The University was established in 1962, it has three campuses, The main campus is located at Akoka, the  College of Medicine at Idi- Araba, Surulere and the third at the Old school of Radiology  at Yaba. It has 12 accredited faculties and a distance learning institute for professional courses, specifically; Accounting, Business Administration, Science Education and Library/ Information Sciences. It is affiliated with eminent institutions such as The institute of Maritime studies and the University of Lagos business school (ULBS). Many successful people graduated from this University and it can be described as a breeding and nurturing ground for intellectuals.

2.The University of Nigeria, Nsukka

The second best Public University in Nigeria is the University of Nsukka. UNN is the first University in Nigeria to be governed independently, which means it is the first indigenous University in Nigeria. The University is the first Land grant  University in Africa. It  commenced formally  on October 7, 1960 and it currently has four campuses, the main campus is in Nsukka while the other three are at Enugu (University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus); Ituku-Ozalla (University of Nigeria teaching hospital ); and Aba ( University of Nigeria Aba campus). The University has 15 accredited faculties  and 102 academic departments, it also offers 211 postgraduate programmes and can boast of an ICT hub- The roar Nigeria hub. The University has also produced many prominent individuals.

3. Obafemi Awolowo University

Ranking third after UNN is Obafemi Awolowo University. It is the second largest University in the country. It was established in 1962 and was formally known as University of Ife. The University has 13 faculties, a College of Health Science and a postgraduate college. It also has a number of institutes  such as Institute of Cultural Studies, Institute of Agricultural Research and many  well equipped research centres.

4. University of Ibadan

The University of Ibadan ranks fourth best Public University in Nigeria. It became a full fledged University in 1962 after being a college affiliated to the University of London. It has since then, continued to grow and now has 14 faculties. University of Ibadan is the first degree awarding University in Nigeria and has been accredited by numerous reputable bodies  such as the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), COREN, NBA, and NMA. It is also Affiliated with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). It is ranked by usnews.com as the 8th  best Global University in Africa.

5. University of Ilorin

The University of Ilorin was the first Nigerian University to be ranked among the top 20 African Universities in 2014. It currently comes as number 5 in Public Universities ranking in Nigeria. It is one of the Universities with the highest number of applications in Nigeria and it has the largest land mass. It was established in 1975 and currently has 15 faculties, a College of Health Sciences, a Teaching Hospital and a Post Graduate College.

6.Ahmadu Bello University

ABU was established in 1962. It has two campuses; Samara Campus which is the main; and Kongo. The University has 15 accredited faculties. It also has a distance learning centre. The ABU teaching Hospital is one of the best  in Nigeria. It comes in as number 6 in Public Universities rating.

7. University of Abuja

At number 7  is the University of  Abuja. It was established in 1990. It Currently has a School of remedial studies, and an  Institute of Education. It has one of the best medical schools in the country and has a centre for distance learning school so people can learn from University of Abuja without being in University of Abuja. It also has a well equipped medical centre.

8.Federal University of Technology, Akure

It was established in 1981. It was established in a bid to produce students who have both theoretical and practical knowledge of technology. It is doing this successfully and according to webometrics, it is the best institution for engineering and technology in Nigeria. It is ranked 8th best Public University in Nigeria

9.Federal University of Technology, Minna

FUTMINNA ranks number 9. It was established on 1st February, 1983. It is one of few specialised technology schools in Nigeria. The main aim of this University is to train and build students in the knowledge of Science, Engineering  and Technology.  The University has some helpful and well equipped structures such as a  Computer centre, Industrial  developmental Centre, School of Agriculture and Technology, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology,  School of Environmental Technology and School of Innovative Technology.

10. Rivers State University

Number ten is  the Rivers State University which was  established in 1972. It is the first technological University in Nigeria and the first state owned University in Niger Delta. It is the Only University in Nigeria that offers Marine Engineering as a course in Nigeria and has been rated to be the best E- learning institution in Nigeria. Its motto is Excellence & Creativity and it radiates just that. It has 7 faculties  (Agriculture, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Law, Management Sciences, Science and Technical and Science Education);  five institutes (Institute of Foundation Studies, Pollution Studies, Education, RIART, Geosciences and Space Technology); three centres(Centre for Continuing Education, Centre for Special projects, Information and Communications Technology Centre.) and a post graduate school. RSU runs 37 programmes at the undergraduate level and 86 the postgraduate level.