Education

Full list of Universities in Nigeria and Year Founded

Published

1 day ago

October 23, 2025

Universities in Nigeria and Year Founded

Are you searching for the complete list of Nigerian universities and year founded? Whether you’re a JAMBite, parent, education consultant, or just curious, this comprehensive article provides a detailed list of all universities in Nigeria—Federal, State, and Private—along with their establishment years.

This guide also includes answers to the most searched questions like:
How many universities are in Nigeria?
What is the oldest university in Nigeria?
Which state has the highest number of universities?
Best universities in Nigeria currently

This is an updated list according to the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Full list of Universities in Nigeria and Year Founded

LIST OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA.

S/N	FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES	YEAR FOUNDED
1	Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi	1988
2	Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria	1962
3	Bayero University,Kano	1975
4	Federal University Gashua	2013
5	Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun	2007
6	Federal University of Technology, Akure	1981
7	Federal University of Technology, Minna.	1982
8	Federal University of Technology, Owerri	1980
9	Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State	2011
10	Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina	2011
11	Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State	2011
12	Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State	2011
13	Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State	2011
14	Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State	2011
15	Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa	2011
16	Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State	2011
17	Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State	2011
18	Federal University,Birnin Kebbi.	2013
19	Federal University,Gusau.	2013
20	Michael Okpara Uni. of Agric., Umudike	1992
21	Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola	1988
22	National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos.	2002
23	Nigeria Police Academy Wudil	2012
24	Nigerian Defence Academy,Kaduna	1985
25	Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka	1992
26	Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-Ife	1962
27	University of Abuja, Gwagwalada	1988
28	University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.	1988
29	University of Agriculture, Makurdi.	1988
30	University of Benin	1970
31	University of Calabar	1975
32	University of Ibadan	1948
33	University of Ilorin	1975
34	University of Jos	1975
35	University of Lagos	1962
36	University of Maiduguri	1975
37	University of Nigeria, Nsukka	1960
38	University of Port-Harcourt	1975
39	University of Uyo	1991
40	Usumanu Danfodiyo University	1975

LIST OF STATE UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA.

S/N	STATE UNIVERSITIES	YEAR FOUNDED
1	Abia State University, Uturu.	1980
2	Adamawa State University Mubi	2002
3	Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba.	1999
4	Akwa Ibom State University of Technology, Uyo	2004
5	Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma,	1980
6	Anambra State University of Science & Technology, Uli	2000
7	Bauchi State University, Gadau	2011
8	Benue State University, Makurdi.	1992
9	Bukar Abba Ibrahim University, Damaturu.	2006
10	Cross River State University of Science &Technology, Calabar	2004
11	Delta State University Abraka	1992
12	Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki	2000
13	Ekiti State University	1988
14	Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu	1981
15	Gombe State Univeristy, Gombe	2004
16	Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai	2005
17	Ignatius Ajuru University of Education,Rumuolumeni.	2010
18	Imo State University, Owerri	1992
19	Jigawa State University	2013
20	Kaduna State University, Kaduna	2004
21	Kano University of Science & Technology, Wudil	2000
22	Kebbi State University, Kebbi	2006
23	Kogi State University Anyigba	1999
24	Kwara State University, Ilorin	2009
25	Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso	1990
26	Ondo State University of Science and Technology Okitipupa	2008
27	River State University of Science and Technology	1979
28	Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye	1982
29	Lagos State University Ojo	1983
30	Niger Delta University Yenagoa	2000
31	Nasarawa State University Keffi	2002
32	Plateau University Bokkos	2005
33	Tai Solarin University of Education Ijebu Ode	2005
34	Umar Musa Yar’ Adua University Katsina	2006
35	Osun State University Osogbo	2006
36	Taraba State University, Jalingo	2008
37	Sokoto State University	2009
38	Northwest University Kano	2012
39	The Technical University,Ibadan	2012
40	Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausas	2013

LIST OF PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA.

S/N	PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES	YEAR FOUNDED
1	Achievers University, Owo	2007
2	Adeleke University,Ede.	2011
3	Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti – Ekiti State	2009
4	African University of Science & Technology, Abuja	2007
5	Ajayi Crowther University, Ibadan	2005
6	Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin	2005
7	Al-Qalam University, Katsina	2005
8	American University of Nigeria, Yola	2003
9	Augustine University	2015
10	Babcock University,Ilishan-Remo	1999
11	Baze University	2011
12	Bells University of Technology, Otta	2005
13	Benson Idahosa University,Benin City	2002
14	Bingham University, New Karu	2005
15	Bowen University, Iwo	2001
16	Caleb University, Lagos	2007
17	Caritas University, Enugu	2005
18	CETEP City University, Lagos	2005
19	Chrisland University	2015
20	Christopher University	2015
21	Covenant University Ota	2002
22	Crawford University Igbesa	2005
23	Crescent University,	2005
24	Edwin Clark University, Kaigbodo	2015
25	Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin	2012
26	Evangel University, Akaeze	2012
27	Fountain Unveristy,Oshogbo	2007
28	Godfrey Okoye University, Ugwuomu-Nike – Enugu State	2009
29	Gregory University, Uturu	2012
30	Hallmark University	2015
31	Hezekiah University, Umudi	2015
32	Igbinedion University Okada	1999
33	Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji	2006
34	Kings University	2015
35	Kwararafa University, Wukari	2005
36	Landmark University,Omu-Aran.	2011
37	Lead City University, Ibadan	2005
38	Madonna University, Okija	1999
39	Mcpherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ajebo	2012
40	Micheal & Cecilia University	2015
41	Mountain Top University	2015
42	Nigerian-Turkish Nile University, Abuja	2009
43	Novena University, Ogume	2005
44	Obong University, Obong Ntak	2007
45	Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu – Osun State	2009
46	Pan-African University, Lagos	2002
47	Paul University, Awka – Anambra State	2009
48	Redeemer’s University, Mowe	2005
49	Renaissance University,Enugu	2005
50	Rhema University, Obeama-Asa – Rivers State	2009
51	Ritman University	2015
52	Salem University,Lokoja	2007
53	Samuel Adegboyega University,Ogwa.	2011
54	Southwestern University, Oku Owa	2012
55	Summit University	2015
56	Tansian University,Umunya	2007
57	University of Mkar, Mkar	2005
58	Veritas University	2007
59	Wellspring University, Evbuobanosa – Edo State	2009
60	Wesley Univ. of Science & Tech.,Ondo	2007
61	Western Delta University, Oghara	2007
62	Wigwe University, Isiakpo, Rivers State	2024

Frequently Asked Questions

How many universities are in Nigeria?

According to present records from NUC, there are over 219 accredited universities in Nigeria: 49 Federal Universities, 59 State Universities and 111 Private Universities.

What is the oldest university in Nigeria?

The University of Ibadan (UI), established in 1948, is the oldest and was formerly affiliated with the University of London.

Which university is the best in Nigeria?

Covenant University and University of Ibadan often top rankings based on quality education, research output, and global rankings. See the Top 10 Best Universities In Nigeria < == here

Which state has the most universities?

Lagos and Ogun States have a high concentration of private universities due to their urban development and access to infrastructure.

Are all Nigerian universities accredited by NUC?

No. Only universities listed on the National Universities Commission (NUC) official website are officially accredited.

Conclusion

Choosing a university in Nigeria can be a life-changing decision. Whether you’re considering Federal, State, or Private universities, this guide provides a solid foundation.