List of Federal, State, and Private Universities in Nigeria 2025

Nigeria is home to a large number of universities, offering a wide range of courses for students across the country. These universities are divided into three main categories: Federal, State, and Private. Each category has its unique characteristics, such as the source of funding and management style.

Choosing the right university is an important step for anyone planning to pursue higher education. It’s not just about getting a degree; it’s also about finding a school that fits your needs, interests, and career goals. Whether you’re looking for a government-funded university or a privately-owned institution, this guide will help you explore your options.

This article provides a complete list of all accredited universities in Nigeria for 2025. It is organized by Federal, State, and Private institutions to make it easy for you to find the information you need. With this list, you can start making informed decisions about your education.

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Categories of Universities in Nigeria

In Nigeria, universities are grouped into three main categories: Federal, State, and Private. Each category has unique features that set it apart, making it easier for students to choose the one that best suits their preferences and needs.

1. Federal Universities

Federal universities are funded and managed by the Federal Government of Nigeria. These institutions are known for their relatively low tuition fees because they are subsidized by the government. Federal universities often have larger campuses and offer a wide range of courses. Examples include the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU).

2. State Universities

State universities are owned and managed by individual state governments. These universities primarily serve residents of their respective states, although students from other states can also apply. Tuition fees in state universities are generally higher than in federal universities, but they remain an affordable option for many students. Examples include Lagos State University (LASU) and Delta State University (DELSU).

3. Private Universities

Private universities are owned by individuals, organizations, or religious groups. These institutions are entirely self-funded, so their tuition fees are usually higher than those of federal and state universities. However, private universities often offer smaller class sizes, modern facilities, and a more personalized learning experience. Examples include Covenant University and Babcock University.

List of Federal Universities in Nigeria

Federal universities are managed and funded by the Federal Government, making them some of the most affordable options for students. These universities are spread across Nigeria’s states and offer a wide variety of programs in fields like science, technology, arts, and social sciences. Below is a detailed list of federal universities in Nigeria, organized by state:

Name	State	Abbreviation	Location	Founded
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University	Bauchi	ATBU	Bauchi	1980
Ahmadu Bello University	Kaduna	ABU	Zaria	1962
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo	Ebonyi	AE-FUNAI	Ikwo	2011
Bayero University	Kano	BUK	Kano	1977
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta	Ogun	FUNAAB	Abeokuta	1988
Federal University Birnin Kebbi	Kebbi	FUBK	Birnin Kebbi	2013
Federal University Dutse	Jigawa	FUD	Dutse	2011
Federal University Dutsin-Ma	Katsina	FUDM	Dutsin-Ma	2011
Federal University Gashua	Yobe	FUGASHUA	Gashua	2013
Federal University Gusau	Zamfara	FUGUS	Gusau	2013
Federal University Kashere	Gombe	FUK	Kashere	2011
Federal University Lokoja	Kogi	FUL	Lokoja	2011
Federal University of Lafia	Nasarawa	FULAFIA	Lafia	2010
Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun	Delta	FUPRE	Effurun	2007
Federal University of Technology Akure	Ondo	FUTA	Akure	1981
Federal University of Technology Minna	Niger	FUTMIN	Minna	1983
Federal University of Technology Owerri	Imo	FUTO	Owerri	1981
Federal University Otuoke	Bayelsa	FUO	Otuoke	2011
Federal University Oye-Ekiti	Ekiti	FUOYE	Oye-Ekiti	2011
Federal University Wukari	Taraba	FUW	Wukari	2011
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike	Abia	MOUAU	Umudike	1992
Modibbo Adama University, Yola	Adamawa	MAU	Yola	1981
National Open University of Nigeria	Lagos	NOUN	Victoria Island	1983
Nnamdi Azikiwe University	Anambra	UNIZIK	Awka	1992
Obafemi Awolowo University	Osun	OAU	Ile Ife	1961
University of Abuja	Federal Capital Territory	UNIABUJA	Gwagwalada	1988
University of Agriculture, Makurdi	Benue	UAM	Makurdi	1988
University of Benin	Edo	UNIBEN	Benin City	1970
University of Calabar	Cross River	UNICAL	Calabar	1975
University of Ibadan	Oyo	UI	Ibadan	1948
University of Ilorin	Kwara	UNILORIN	Ilorin	1975
University of Jos	Plateau	UNIJOS	Jos	1971
University of Lagos	Lagos	UNILAG	Akoka	1962
University of Maiduguri	Borno	UNIMAID	Maiduguri	1975
University of Nigeria, Nsukka	Enugu	UNN	Nsukka	1955
University of Port Harcourt	Rivers	UNIPORT	Port Harcourt	1975
University of Uyo	Akwa Ibom	UNIUYO	Uyo	1991
Usmanu Danfodiyo University	Sokoto	UDUS	Sokoto	1975
Federal University of Transportation, Daura	Katsina	FUTD	Daura	2023

This comprehensive list showcases Nigeria’s federal universities, offering affordable and diverse opportunities for higher education.

List of State Universities in Nigeria

State universities are owned and managed by individual state governments in Nigeria. These institutions aim to provide affordable education primarily to residents of their respective states, though they also admit students from other regions. State universities often focus on addressing the educational needs of their local communities. Below is a detailed list of state universities in Nigeria, organized by state:

Name	State	Abbreviation	Location	Founded
Abdulkadir Kure University	Niger	AKUM	Minna	2023
Abia State University	Abia	ABSU	Uturu	1981
Adamawa State University	Adamawa	ADSU	Mubi	2002
Adekunle Ajasin University	Ondo	AAUA	Akungba-Akoko	1999
Akwa Ibom State University	Akwa Ibom	AKSU	Uyo	2010
Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology	Kano	ADUSTECH	Wudil	2001
Ambrose Alli University	Edo	AAU	Ekpoma	1981
Bauchi State University	Bauchi	BASUG	Gadau	2012
Bayelsa Medical University	Bayelsa	BMU	Yenagoa	2018
Benue State University	Benue	BSU	Makurdi	1992
Borno State University	Borno	BOSU	Maiduguri	2016
Bukar Abba Ibrahim University	Yobe	YSU	Damaturu	2006
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University	Anambra	ANSU	Uli	2000
University of Cross River State	Cross River	UNICROSS	Ekpo-Abasi, Calabar	2002
Delta State University, Abraka	Delta	DELSU	Abraka	1992
Delta State University of Science and Technology	Delta	DSPZ	Ozoro	2021
Dennis Osadebay University	Delta	DOU	Asaba	2021
Ebonyi State University	Ebonyi	EBSU	Abakaliki	1996
Edo State University, Uzairue	Edo	EDSU	Iyamho	2016
Ekiti State University	Ekiti	EKSU	Ado Ekiti	1981 (current name 2011)
Enugu State University of Science and Technology	Enugu	ESUT	Enugu	1979
Gombe State University	Gombe	GSU	Gombe	2004
Gombe State University of Science and Technology	Gombe	GSUST	Kumo	2017
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University	Niger	IBBUL	Lapai	2005
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education	Rivers	IAUE	Port Harcourt	1971 (university 2009)
Imo State University	Imo	IMSU	Owerri	1981
Kaduna State University	Kaduna	KASU	Kaduna	2004
Kebbi State University of Science and Technology	Kebbi	KSUSTA	Aliero	2006
Prince Abubakar Audu University	Kogi	PAAU	Anyigba	1999
Kwara State University	Kwara	KWASU	Malete	2009
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology	Oyo	LAUTECH	Ogbomoso	1990
Lagos State University	Lagos	LASU	Ojo	1983
Lagos State University of Education	Lagos	LASUED	Ijanikin	1958 (university 2022)
Lagos State University of Science and Technology	Lagos	LASUST	Ikorodu	1977 (university 2021)
Nasarawa State University	Nasarawa	NSUK	Keffi	2001
Niger Delta University	Bayelsa	NDU	Amassoma	2000
Olabisi Onabanjo University	Ogun	OOU	Ago-Iwoye	1982
Osun State University	Osun	UNIOSUN	Osogbo	2006
Plateau State University	Plateau	PLASU	Bokkos	2005
Rivers State University	Rivers	RIVSU	Port Harcourt	1972 (university 1980)
Sule Lamido University	Jigawa	SLU	Kafin-Hausa	2013
Tai Solarin University of Education	Ogun	TASUED	Ijebu Ode	1978 (university 2005)
Taraba State University	Taraba	TSU	Jalingo	2011
Umaru Musa Yar’adua University	Katsina	UMYU	Katsina	2006
Sokoto State University	Sokoto	SSU	Sokoto	2009
University of Delta	Delta	UNIDEL	Agbor	2021
Yusuf Maitama Sule University	Kano	YUMSUK	Kano	2012
Zamfara State University	Zamfara	ZSU	Talata Mafara	2018

This list showcases the diversity of state universities in Nigeria, offering students a wide range of choices across various fields.

List of Private Universities in Nigeria

Private universities in Nigeria are owned and managed by individuals, organizations, or religious groups. These institutions are self-funded, which allows them to maintain high standards of education, modern facilities, and small class sizes. Although tuition fees in private universities are typically higher, they often provide a more personalized and structured learning environment. Below is a comprehensive list of private universities in Nigeria, organized by state:

Name	State	Abbreviation	Location	Founded
Achievers University	Ondo	AC	Owo	2007
Adeleke University	Osun	AUE	Ede	2010
Afe Babalola University	Ekiti	ABUAD	Ado-Ekiti	2009
African University of Science and Technology	Federal Capital Territory	AUST	Abuja	2007
Ahman Pategi University	Kwara	APU	Pategi	2021
Ajayi Crowther University	Oyo	ACU	Oyo	2005
Al-Hikmah University	Kwara	AHU	Ilorin	2005
Al-Qalam University	Katsina	AUK	Katsina	2005
American University of Nigeria	Adamawa	AUN	Yola	2005
Anchor University	Lagos	–	Ayobo	2014
Arthur Jarvis University	Cross River	AJU	Akpabuyo	2016
Ave Maria University	Nasarawa	AMU	Piyanko	2021
Babcock University	Ogun	BU	Ilishan-Remo	1959 (university 1999)
Baze University	Federal Capital Territory	BAZE	Abuja	2011
Bells University of Technology	Ogun	BUT	Ota	2004
Benson Idahosa University	Edo	BIU	Benin City	2002
Bowen University	Osun	BU	Iwo	2001
Caleb University	Lagos	CUL	Ikorodu	2008
Caritas University	Enugu	–	Enugu	2004
CETEP City University	Lagos	–	Yaba	2005
Chrisland University	Ogun	CLU	Abeokuta	2015
Christopher University	Ogun	–	Mowe	2015
Clifford University	Abia	CLU	Owerrinta	2016
Coal City University	Enugu	CCU	Enugu	2016
Covenant University	Ogun	CU	Ota	2002
Crawford University	Ogun	–	Igbesa	2005
Crescent University	Ogun	–	Abeokuta	2005
Dominican University Ibadan	Oyo	DUI	Ibadan	2016
ECWA Bingham University	Nasarawa	BU	New Karu	2005
Edwin Clark University	Delta	ECU	Kiagbodo	2015
Elizade University	Ondo	EU	Ilara-Mokin	2012
Evangel University, Akaeze	Ebonyi	EUA	Akaeze	2012
Fountain University, Osogbo	Osun	FUO	Osogbo	2007
Godfrey Okoye University	Enugu	GOU	Enugu	2009
Greenfield University	Kaduna	GFU	Kaduna	2019
Gregory University	Abia	GUU	Uturu	2012
Hallmark University	Ogun	–	Ijebu-Itele	2015
Hezekiah University	Imo	–	Umudi	2015
Igbinedion University	Edo	IUO	Okada	1999
Joseph Ayo Babalola University	Osun	JABU	Ikeji-Arakeji	2006
Kings University	Osun	KU	Odeomu	2015
Koladaisi University	Oyo	KU	Ibadan	2015
Kwararafa University	Taraba	–	Wukari	2005
Landmark University	Kwara	LU	Omu-Aran	2011
Lead City University	Oyo	LCU	Ibadan	2015
Madonna University	Rivers	–	Elele	1999
McPherson University	Ogun	MCU	Seriki-Setayo	2012
Mewar University	Nasarawa	–	Masaka	2021
Michael and Cecilia Ibru University	Delta	MCIU	Agbara-Otor	2015
Mountain Top University	Ogun	MTU	Makogi Oba	2015
Mudiame University	Edo	–	Irrua	2021
Nile University of Nigeria	Federal Capital Territory	NUN	Abuja	2009
Novena University	Delta	–	Ogume	2005
Obong University	Akwa Ibom	–	Obong Ntak	1997 (university 2007)
Oduduwa University	Osun	OUI	Ipetumodu	2009
PAMO University of Medical Sciences	Rivers	–	Port Harcourt	2017
Pan-Atlantic University	Lagos	PAU	Lekki	2002
Paul University	Anambra	–	Awka	2009
Peaceland University	Enugu	PUE	Enugu	2023
Philomath University	Federal Capital Territory	PU	Kuje	2021
Precious Cornerstone University	Oyo	PCU	Ibadan	2017
Redeemer’s University Nigeria	Osun	RUN	Ede	2005
Renaissance University	Enugu	–	Ugbawka	2005
Rhema University	Abia	–	Aba	2009
Ritman University	Akwa Ibom	–	Ikot Ekpene	2015
Salem University	Kogi	–	Lokoja	2007
Samuel Adegboyega University	Edo	SAU	Ogwa	2011
Skyline University Nigeria	Kano	SUN	Kano	2018
Summit University	Kwara	–	Offa	2015
Veritas University	Federal Capital Territory	VUNA	Bwari	2007
Wesley University	Ondo	WUO	Ondo	2007
Western Delta University	Delta	WDU	Oghara	2007
Westland University	Osun	WUI	Iwo	2019
University of Mkar	Benue	–	Mkar	2005

This extensive list highlights the diversity and growth of private universities in Nigeria.

How to Choose the Right University

Choosing the right university is an important decision that can shape your career and future. With so many options available, it’s essential to consider a few key factors to ensure you make the best choice for your academic and personal goals. Here are some tips to guide your decision:

1. Accreditation

• Ensure the university is accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Nigeria. Accreditation confirms that the institution meets the required standards for education.

2. Course Offerings

• Check if the university offers the course or program you want to study.
• Research the quality of the department and faculty in your chosen field.

3. Tuition Fees and Affordability

• Federal universities are generally more affordable due to government funding.
• State universities have moderate fees, while private universities tend to be more expensive but offer modern facilities and smaller class sizes.
• Choose a university that fits your budget or offers scholarship opportunities.

4. Location

• Consider the university’s location in relation to your home and personal preferences.
• Urban campuses may provide more opportunities for networking and internships, while rural campuses may offer a quieter environment for study.

5. Facilities and Resources

• Look for universities with up-to-date libraries, laboratories, and other facilities related to your course.
• Check for additional resources like hostels, recreational centers, and career development programs.

6. Reputation and Alumni Success

• Research the university’s reputation in your desired field.
• Consider the success stories of its alumni and how well graduates are doing in the job market.

7. Class Size and Learning Environment

• Private universities typically have smaller class sizes, which can lead to more personalized attention from lecturers.
• Federal and state universities often have larger class sizes, so consider what learning environment suits you best.

8. Special Features

• Some universities focus on specific areas like technology, agriculture, or medicine. If you have a clear career path, specialized universities may be a better fit.

9. Student Support Services

• Check if the university provides support services like counseling, mentorship programs, and career guidance.

10. Extracurricular Activities

• Consider universities that offer extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, and cultural events. These activities can help you build soft skills and make your university experience more enjoyable.

Making Your Final Decision

After considering these factors, visit the university if possible, speak with current students or alumni, and read online reviews to get a clearer picture. Remember, the right university is one that aligns with your academic goals, financial capacity, and personal preferences.

Conclusion

Nigeria offers a diverse range of universities across the Federal, State, and Private categories, each with unique features to suit different needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for affordability, specialized programs, or a personalized learning environment, there’s a university for you.

Federal universities are known for their affordability and broad course offerings. State universities balance affordability with accessibility, often catering to students within specific regions. Private universities provide modern facilities, smaller class sizes, and a structured learning environment, though they come with higher tuition fees.

Choosing the right university requires careful consideration of factors like accreditation, course offerings, tuition fees, location, and reputation. By using this comprehensive guide, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic and career goals.

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