What are the Top 15 Best Private Universities in Nigeria?
A university is an institution of higher education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
What are the most popular Private Universities in Nigeria?
Unirank tries to answer this question by publishing a complete list of top Private Nigerian Universities ranked by the 2022 Unirank University Ranking and meeting the following Unirank selection criteria:
Being chartered, licensed or accredited by the appropriate Nigerian higher education-related organization. Offering at least four-year undergraduate degrees (bachelor degrees) or postgraduate degrees (master or doctoral degrees). Delivering courses predominantly in a traditional, face-to-face, non-distance education format.
Universities based on valid, unbiased and non-influence able web metrics provided by independent web intelligence sources rather than data submitted by the Universities themselves.
Nigerians have experienced many educational setbacks due to the Federal government’s inability to fund the country’s educational sector to a maximum level.
Even though there are many setbacks from the Federal government, some of the federal universities have done well imparting knowledge to students.
Some private universities in Nigeria have also raised the standard of education in Nigeria, and most of them have been ranked as the top 15 best universities in Nigeria.
Individuals from different states in Nigeria have helped build these private universities that have helped increase the Nigerian education system.
They have promoted education to a higher level and helped reduce the high unemployment rate in Nigeria by providing job opportunities for lecturers.
This article will bring down the list to the top 15 best private universities in Nigeria. Private Universities have been termed to be expensive, a lot of parents cannot afford it, but with good structures and everything, some of these Universities have been termed to be equivalent to those overseas.
List of Top 15 Best Private Universities in Nigeria
1. Covenant University
2. Babcock University
3. Joseph Ayo Babalola University
4. Landmark University
5. American University of Nigeria
6. Afe Babalola University
7. Bowen University
8. Redeemer’s University Nigeria
9. Igbinedion University
10. Baze University
11. Bells University of Technology
12. Caleb University
13. Veritas University
14. Crawford University
15. Fountain University
Let us examine them one after another
1. COVENANT UNIVERSITY
This university is one of the fastest-growing private universities in Nigeria. It is currently ranked as the best university in Nigeria and 2946 in the world. It was established in 2002 and is situated in Ogun State. This university has managed to solidify its place, it just doesn’t offer bachelors degrees, it also gives masters and doctorate degrees. Its facilities are great and the school is mainly known for instilling absolute discipline in its student’s dressing and composure.
2. BABCOCK UNIVERSITY
The University is also located in Ogun State and among the top 15 best private universities in Nigeria. It is a Christian school owned by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The University has a student population of more than 10,000. The University has 9 schools and 1 college; School of Agriculture and Industrial Technology, School of Basic and Applied Science, School of Education and Humanities, Babcock Business School, School of Computing and Engineering, School of Public and Applied Health, School of Post-graduate Studies, School of Law and Security Studies, College of Health and Medical Sciences.
3. JOSEPH AYO BABALOLA UNIVERSITY
Joseph Ayo Babalola University is one of the best private universities among the top 15 best private universities in Nigeria. It is located between Ipo Arakeji and Ikeji-Arakeji in Osun State, Nigeria. Joseph Ayo Babalola University was established by Christ Apostolic Church in 2004 and was named after Christ Apostolic Church’s spiritual leader. The university is the first entrepreneurial university in Nigeria.
According to the university, its objective is to bring out moral regeneration, godliness, selfless leadership, a positive attitude to work, mutual understanding and love among ethnic, tribal, and religious groups.Joseph Ayo Babalola University has five colleges with fifteen departments in its school, which include:
College of Agricultural and Natural Sciences – Joseph Ayo Babalola University’s College of Agricultural and Natural Sciences has five departments: Biochemistry, Computer Science, Food Science And Technology, Industrial Chemistry, and Microbiology.
College of Environmental Sciences – Its departments include Architecture and Estate Management.
College of Humanities has two departments: the Department of English and the Department of History And International Studies.
College of Law – The College of Law has only Law in its faculty.
College of Management Sciences – The College of Management Sciences has five departments: Accounting, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management, and Industrial Relations and Insurance.
4. LANDMARK UNIVERSITY
This university was established in 2011 in a small town in Kwara (Omu-Aran). This university offers bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees. This university has some of the best facilities in Nigeria, and there is even a financial aid program to help students whose parents are finding it difficult to weather the financial cost.
5. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA
Currently ranking as the 5th best university in Nigeria, this is a small university in Adamawa state. It is a non-profit university with a uniRank enrollment range of 1000 to 1999. It is a highly competitive university and enrollment is based on absolute merit. This 16-year-old university houses a lot of students both national and international.
6. AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY
Established in 1962, Obafemi Awolowo University is a non-profit public higher-education institution located in the suburban setting of the small city of Ile-Ife (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Osun. Officially recognized by the National Universities Commission of Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 25,000-29,999 students) coeducational Nigerian higher education institution.
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 58 years old Nigerian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. OAU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Also read: What makes a country developed?
7. BOWEN UNIVERSITY
Bowen University is one the best private university in Nigeria among the top 15 best private universities. It is a Baptist Christian Nigerian university owned by the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
The major foundation of Bowen University was first laid in 1954 before its establishment on 17 July 2001 by Nigerian Baptist Convention. The university is located at Iwo in Osun State, Nigeria. Bowen University currently has a radio station. It is the first Baptist university in Africa. According to the school, it aimed to assist people in developing their potentials to the fullest.
Bowen University has seven prominent faculties/colleges with different departments.
They include:
College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science – Its departments are Microbiology Pure and Applied Biology, Biochemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Agriculture, Food Science & Technology, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering and Extension and Social Engineering (SAFE).
College of Social & Management Science – The College of Social & Management Science departments are Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, Industrial Relations & Personnel Management, Economics, Sociology, Political Science and International Relations.
College of Law – Bowen University’s College of Law, has only Public and International Law and Private and Commercial Law departments in its faculty.
College of Computing & Communication Studies – Its departments are Computer Science, Mass Communication, Communication Arts, Cyber Security, Software Engineering and Information Technology.
College of Health Sciences – Its departments include Anatomy, Physiology, Medicine & Surgery, Nursing Science, Physiotherapy, Public Health, Medical Laboratory Science and Nutrition & Dietetics.
College of Liberal Studies – The College of Liberal Studies has six departments: Music, English, Theatre Arts, History & International Studies, Philosophy and Religious Studies.
College of Environmental Science – The College of Environmental Science departments are architecture, surveying, and geoinformatics.
8. REDEEMER’S UNIVERSITY NIGERIA
Redeemer’s University Nigeria, controlled by General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, is the fifth-best private university in Nigeria. It was established in 2005 in Ede, Osun State, following the university’s approval by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Redeemer’s University Nigeria has produced twelve sets of graduates since it was established in 2005.
The Redeemer’s University Nigeria has gained many achievements in the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, including; First accurate diagnosis of Ebola case in Sierra Leone and Nigeria in the 2014 EVD outbreak, Discovered two novels highly divergent rhabdovirus Ekpoma in Nigeria and Provided tools and training for disease diagnosis, sequencing and bioinformatics and many more.
Redeemer’s University Nigeria has six faculties in its school, namely:
Faculty of Management Science – The Faculty of Management Sciences has four departments with seven different programmes, including Business Admin. and Marketing ( Business Administration and Marketing programmes), Transport Management, Accounting and Finance (Actuarial Science, Finance and Insurance programmes).
Faculty of Natural Science – its departments are Microbiology, Applied Biology and Genetics, Biochemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Computer Science, Industrial Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics.
Faculty of Social Sciences – its departments include Economics, Mass Communication, Political Science & Public Administration, Psychology, Sociology and Tourism Studies.
Faculty of Humanities – its departments are English, History and International Studies, Theatre Arts and Film Studies and Religious Studies.
9. IGBINEDION UNIVERSITY
Igbinedion University is one of the private universities in the list of best private universities. Igbinedion University is the first private university established in Nigeria in 1999. It is located at Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Edo State. The university was founded by Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, a well-known Benin chief.
According to Igbinedion University, its mission is to pursue excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship by providing world-class facilities and opportunities for education, training, and employment to all those able to benefit without any form of discrimination.
To enhance human advancement, prosperity and public welfare through teaching, research and outreach programmes that encourage applications of knowledge, promote discipline and emphasise entrepreneurship, and manage resources effectively to achieve these aims.
The university has produced over 10,000 graduates from undergraduate and post-graduate schemes since its invention in 1999. Igbinedion University has seven different faculties with different departments. The colleges are
College of Pharmacy contains the following departments: Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Pharmacognosy.
Colleges of Engineering – its departments includeChemical/Petroleum, Civil, Electrical/Electronics & Computer and Mechanical Engineering.
College Arts and Social Sciences – The College of Arts and Social Sciences contain the following departments: Economics & Development Studies, Geography, Urban & Regional Planning, Mass Communication, Political Science & public administration, Sociology & Anthropology and International Relations & Strategic Studies.
College of Natural and Applied Sciences – Its departments are Computer Science and Information Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry and Physics.
College of Business and Management studies has the following departments: Accounting, Banking and Finance, and Business Administration.
College of Law.
College of Health Sciences – The College of Health Sciences departments include Anatomy, Biochemistry, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nursing, Physiology and Medicine.
10. BAZE UNIVERSITY
Established in 2011, this 11-year-old university is located in Abuja. They offer a couple of bachelors degrees, currently ranked as the 10th best university in Nigeria. It is open to both local and international applicants and their admission process is relatively selective.
11. BELLS UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Bells University of Technology is also the best private university in Nigeria among the top 15 best private universities in Nigeria. Bells University, formally known as Bellstech, is the first private university of technology established in Nigeria.
It was established in Ogun State in 2004 but was granted an operating license on June 9 2005. The vision is to become a world-renowned university committed to the development and transformation of society through the development and transformation of society through environmentally friendly technology and other innovations. Bells University has four different colleges in its school with different departments.
The departments include;
College of Natural and Applied Science – The Bell University’s School of Natural and Applied Science have the following departments. Department of Biological Science divided into Microbiology and Biotechnology.
Department of Chemical Science divided into Biochemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Chemistry, Food Technology, Nutrition and dietetics. Department of Physical Sciences divided into Physics and Applied Mathematics with Statistics. Department of Computer Sciences and Information Technology are divided into Computer Science and Information Technology.
College of Management Sciences – its departments include Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance and Banking, Management Technology.
College of Engineering – The College of Engineering has the following departments Biomedical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering and Civil Engineering.
College of Environmental Sciences – Architecture, Surveying and Geoinformatics, Building Technology, Quantity Surveying, Urban and Regional Planning and Estate Management
12. CALEB UNIVERSITY
Established in 2007, Caleb University is a private higher-education institution located in the medium town of Imota (population range of 2,500-9,999 inhabitants), Lagos. Officially recognized by the National Universities Commission of Nigeria, Caleb University is a coeducational Nigerian higher education institution.
Caleb University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. Caleb University also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.
13. VERITAS UNIVERSITY
This university is located in Abuja, it was established in 2007. Veritas University offers bachelors degrees in different courses. They are ranked in the 13th position of the best Nigerian university. They provide their students with several academic and non-academic facilities to help them get the best experience.
14. CRAWFORD UNIVERSITY
This is a church-owned University by the Apostolic Faith Church, established in 2005, the University is located in Ogun State, it operates a college system namely; College of Agriculture, College of Pure and Applied Sciences, College of Business and Social Sciences.
15. FOUNTAIN UNIVERSITY
Located in Ogbomosho is the Fountain University, this University is an Islamic university which has a student population of about 5,000, the university is renowned for academic excellence and also for good facilities for students and staffs of the institution.
The Fountain University was established in the year 2007, currently, the university has only 2 colleges which are namely; College of Natural and Applied Sciences, College of Management and Social Sciences.
