Here is a list of the Top 10 Best Universities in Nigeria. The universities were ranked using different factors including NUC accreditation.

The Universities that made it to our list most be accredited by the NUC( Nigeria University Commission). They must also have a good teaching environment. Funding in research and Research citation, to determine research influence. This was done by looking at how many times the university published work is cited by other authors globally. Including other ranking factors. The Universities that made it to our top 10 list include:

1. University Of Ibadan (UI)
2. Covenant University (CU)
3. University Of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)
4. University Of Lagos (Unilag)
5. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
6. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
7. University Of Ilorin (Unilorin)
8. Federal University Of Technology, Akure (FUTO)
9. University Of Port Harcourt (Uniport)
10. Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA)

1. University Of Ibadan (UI)

The University of Ibadan is the first awarding degree university to be established in Nigeria and has maintained its position as the best university in the country according to NUC ranking. It has always been ranked among the top 10 universities in Africa by Webometrics. In 2016, UI became the first Nigeria university to make it to the top 1000 universities in times higher education ranking

It was originally a college of the University of London during the colonial era up until 1962 before it became an independent university.

The university is presently made up of 16 faculties, they include Arts, Science, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Agriculture, the Social Sciences, Education, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Technology, Law, Public Health, Dentistry, Economics, Renewable Natural Resources, and Environmental, Design and Management.

2. Covenant University (CU)

This is a privately-owned Christian university, established in 2002 by David Oyedepo, Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church of God. It is an affiliate to living faith Church and has become among the best in Nigeria when it comes to education, base on different ranking and statistics.

It has the highest investment in education in Nigeria according to NUC. In 2017 it was ranked the best in Computer Science, Business Management, Engineering, Accounting, and some other multidisciplinary program by a report from Elsevier SciVak data. In the same year, it emerges as the best private university in Nigeria by the NUC.

Despite its numerous successes, the university has come under a lot of criticism which is due to its strict rules as a Christian University. It once expelled over 180 of its students for not attending church service. There have also been reports that students are not allowed to use a sim card enabled phone.

3. University Of  Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)

This is a federal University that was founded by the then Premier of the Eastern region Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1955. It is commonly abbreviated as UNN and is located in Nsukka, Enugu State.

Azikiwe had asked for help from the united state of America and the united kingdom in setting up the university. Both of whom sent advisers to help in the planning of the university. UNN was formerly opened in 1960.

It is the first indigenous and autonomous University in the country. And has over 100 academic departments with about 15 faculties. The space research center founded by Sam Okoye makes it one of the few Universities in Africa that offers courses in astronomy. The law faculty, which was established in 1960 is the oldest in Nigeria. Prominent Novelist Chinua Achebe was once a teacher in the university and held most of his research there.

In 1974, the University of Nigeria Teaching hospital becomes the first hospital in sub-Sahara Africa to perform open-heart surgery. Since then, its college of medicine has become one of the best in cardiology in west Africa.

Its department of Electronic Engineering is among the best in the country. This became obvious when it was named the center for excellence in electronics by the Federal Government. It has consistently produced some of the best graduates in Engineering in the country.

4. University Of Lagos (Unilag)

This is a federal university in Lagos Nigeria, founded in 1962. it has become one of the most competitive and sought after public universities, with one of the largest numbers of jamb aspirates as well as undergraduate than any other university in the country. It has three campuses situated at different locations in the state. with the main campus located at Akoka, the second is the school of radiography at Yaba. And the third is the school of medicine at Idi Araba.

In 2008 unilag was ranked as the best university in Nigeria at the Nigeria university Annual merit Award by the NUC, its research is one of the major criteria used by the commission.

Some of its faculties include Arts, Basic Medical Sciences, Management Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Education, environmental sciences, engineering, law, social science, pharmacy, and Science.

5. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)

This is a federal university and is among the five first-generation university in Nigeria. It is located in Osun, Nigeria, and is commonly abbreviated as OAU. It was founded in 1961. But was formerly known as the University of Ife by the then regional government of western Nigeria. In 1987, its name was later changed to Obafemi Awolowo University in honor of the first premier of the western region.

The university was the first to establish a faculty of Electronics, chemical engineering, and pharmacy in west Africa. It offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. There are over 10 faculties with two colleges in the university. It is one of the universities in Nigeria with a well-developed ICT system, health facilities, and research center.

Its university teaching hospital is well reputable and was the first to carry out Siamese twin separation in sub-sahara Africa and has continued to carry out such operation on different occasions. The teaching also used as a site for Nigerian trained foreign doctors.

6. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)

This is a federal government research university. Commonly abbreviated as ABU. It is located in Zaria, Kaduna State in Nigeria. It was founded in 1962 and runs both graduate and undergraduate programs.

Just after Nigeria became an independent nation, it had just one university, the University of Ibadan. The Important Ashby commission had recommended adding new universities to each of Nigeria then three regions. Hence the ahmedu Bello University was born. It was named after the first premier of northern Nigeria. Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello.

The University has three campuses, Samaru in Zaria, Kongo also in Zaria, and the school of basic studies in funtua. The samaru campuses house the administrative offices, research facilities, and the faculty of life sciences, physical science, arts and language, social sciences, education, medical sciences, environmental design, engineering, and agricultural sciences. The Kongo campus houses the faculty of Law and Administration. While the campus at Funtua is a pre-degree school.

7. University Of Ilorin (Unilorin)

This is a federal university commonly called unilorin. It is located in kwara state, Nigeria. It was established in 1975 during the first Military juntas. One of its aims was to provide an opportunity for Nigerians who wish to acquire university education.

In 1976, the university had just 200 students with three foundation faculties, Education, Science, and Arts. By 2006, the student population had grown to over 20,000 with over ten faculties. Its staff strength stood just over 3,000. Its undergraduate programs run for 3,4,5 or 6 years depending on the faculty or department of study.

Unilorin has the largest landmass when compared to any other university in the country, covering approximately 5000 hectares of land.

It uses a modified form of the American two-semester system called harmattan and rain semester which it adopted in 1979, after withdrawing from the traditional British three-term system.

8. Federal University Of Technology, Akure (FUTO)

This university is located in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Abbreviated as FUTO, It was founded in 1981 during the civilian rule of Aliyu Shegu Shagari. One of the reasons for establishing the university as announced by the government was to create a university specialized in producing graduates with practical and theoretical skills and knowledge in the country. Nigerian states with no federal university then like Bauchi, Benue, Imo, Ogun, and Niger State became beneficiaries of this initiative as similar universities were created in there states.

When the university was first announced to be established in the state, there were difficulties in determining where it would be sited. Eventually, Akure was chosen. Following its establishment, the university had set some targets. Academic activities were scheduled to begin in 1982, despite lacking in some facilities. Hence, a three-story building in Oba Ille was rented. The university welcomes its first student in November 1982.

9. University Of Port Harcourt (Uniport)

This is a federal University Located in the city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. It was established in 1975 and is commonly shortened as Uniport. It was originally university college, Port Harcourt. And only given university status in 1977.

In 2015, Times Higher Education ranked Uniport is the Best university in Nigeria and six in Africa. The university has produced many great personalities including the former President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan who was also a one-time lecturer at the university. former governor of Rivers State Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, former Miss World Agbani Darego, etc.

When it was originally a college in 1977, it only had six faculties. Following its transition to university status. It now has twelve faculties. They include Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Management Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Agriculture, and Faculty of Law.

10. Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA)

This is a state-owned university located in Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria. It is abbreviated as AAUA and was established in 1999 with 7 faculties. In 1982, AAUA was part of Obafemi Awolowo University during the time of the Old Ondo State. Then it was headed by Micheal Adekunle Ajasin. Following the creation of the new Ondo state in 1996, it was relocated to Akungba Akoko. And a bill backing the relocation of the University was signed into law by Adebayo Adefarati. The then governor of the state. Another bill was signed into law in 2004 to change the name of the university to Adekunle Ajasin University. In memory of the late Governo Ajasin.