By Ola Kay
An independent body, EduRank, which specializes in a metric-based ranking of universities worldwide that analyses higher education institutions has named University of Ibadan, Unilag, UNN among the best universities in the country in 2024.
Based on its latest rankings published recently and noticed by the Pinnacle Times, interestingly, the best universities in Nigeria are located in the Southwest zone and they are mainly federal government-operated school.
EduRank ratings informed that the rankings were based on research outputs, non-academic prominence, and alumni influence as they appear in this order:
1. University of Ibadan.The university was once a college of the University of London, the United Kingdom.
The college was established in 1948 as University College Ibadan, one of many colleges within the University of London.
University of Ibadan (UI) became an independent university in 1962 and is the oldest degree-awarding institution in Nigeria.
2. University of Lagos.The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is a public research university located in Lagos state and was founded in 1962. UNILAG is one of the first-generation universities in Nigeria and is ranked among the top universities in the country in major education publications.
3. University of Nigeria. The University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) was founded in 1960 by Nnamdi Azikiwe, an African legend who was also Nigeria’s first president.
According to the ranking institution, the establishment of the university was informed by the need to produce highly skilled men and women who would fulfil the manpower needs of Nigeria.
4. Obafemi Awolowo University. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is a federal government-owned Nigerian university. It was established in 1962 as the University of Ife. In 1987, it was renamed Obafemi Awolowo University in honour of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, one of the university’s founding fathers and eminent lawyer, nationalist, and politician. The university is organised into 13 faculties, which offer a range of undergraduate courses.
5. University of Port Harcourt. The University of Port Harcourt was established in 1975 as University College, Port Harcourt and was given university status in 1977. The institution was ranked the sixth in Africa and the first in Nigeria by Times Higher Education in 2015.
6. Ahmadu Bello University. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) is a federal government research university located in Zaria, Kaduna state. It opened in 1962 as the University of Northern Nigeria.
7. Covenant University.Covenant University (CU) is a private university in Ota, Ogun state. It is affiliated with Living Faith Church Worldwide and is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Association of African Universities, and National Universities Commission.
8. University of Ilorin. University of Ilorin, also known as UNILORIN, is a federal government-owned school in Kwara state, northcentral Nigeria. UNILORIN was established by a decree of the federal military government in August 1975.
9. University of Benin The University of Benin (UNIBEN) was founded in 1970. It first started as an Institute of Technology until it was recognised as a full-fledged university and accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) on July 1, 1971. It became a federal government-owned University on April 1, 1975.
10. Federal University of Technology, Minna. FUT Minna specialises in technological education, offering Bachelor’s of Technology and Master’s of Technology in various technology inclined courses. The university is said to have core competence in the development of vaccines and drugs, as well as small arms design, in partnership with the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
us technology-inclined fields.
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