Universities are not new to Nigeria. In fact, Nigeria had Universities before the advent of independence. This shows that Nigerians admonish and appreciate literacy.
From the first generation Universities of the 1950s and 60s to the second generation of the 70s and 80s and the third generation of the 90s and the 21st century, Universities have sprung up in the country in all forms.
We have Federal, State and Privately owned Universities in Nigeria as well as Specialised Universities in the fields of Education, Engineering and Technology, Petroleum Resources, Management Science and Health Science/Technology.
Everyday new Universities are built, Colleges of Education and Polytechnics are gradually becoming obsolete and some have the fortune of being converted into Universities.
Because of the proliferation of Universities in the country, some youngsters and students find it difficult to select schools to attend. Although this seems like a paradox (because the higher the number of schools, the better the choices) but the truth is that not all schools are the same.
Some Universities have, over the years, proven themselves to be excellent and extra-ordinary in training students of certain fields/disciplines; both disciplinary, vocational and professional. It is not that other schools do not offer the same courses or do well, it is simply that a particular school has a well trained faculty, standard structures and facilities, rich legacies and superb alumni networks.
Prospective students will eventually do better if they select Universities that are well known for the courses they've applied for.
Without being too verbose, the aim of this thread is simple: to highlight some Nigerian Universities and the disciplines/courses they are well known for. The schools I present are those I am well familiar with.
This means I may not include schools I don't have sufficient data on. However, as a reader, you may help me in that by adding schools you are familiar with and disciplines you know. This list is wholly personal and based on subjective findings.
My data was generated based on alumni strength, the amount of academics the schools produce in the field, the nature and class of results produced by students in the department, the output of students(practicals, development, research, etc), physical structures present in the departments, accreditation status and stability of department, number of academic staff as well as their academic pedigree, number and impact factors of journals and academic outputs from department, etc.
These were sourced from University's websites, internet research and other sources. As a reader, you may not agree with what I've written but in that case, feel free to add your own findings. Learning, as they say, is a continuous process. This list is presented below:
1. Law
-Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma
-University of Benin, Ugbowo
-Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
-Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
-University of Nigeria, Nsukka
-University of Ibadan, Ibadan
-Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti
2. Medicine and Medical Sciences
-University of Ibadan, Ibadan
-University of Nigeria, Nsukka
-Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
-University of Lagos, Akoka
-Delta State University, Abraka
-University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
-Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso
-University of Ilorin, Ilorin
3. Engineering and Technology
-Federal University of Technology, Akure
-Federal University of Technology, Owerri
-Federal University of Technology, Minna
-Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso
-University of Ilorin, Ilorin
-Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
-Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun
4. English and Literary Studies
-University of Ibadan, Ibadan
-University of Lagos, Akoka
-University of Benin, Ugbowo
-Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
-University of Nigeria, Nsukka
5. Political Science
-University of Ibadan, Ibadan
-Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma
-University of Lagos, Akoka
-Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
-Delta State University, Abraka
-Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
6. Theatre and Media Arts
-University of Ibadan, Ibadan
-University of Nigeria, Nsukka
-University of Port-Harcourt, Choba
-University of Lagos, Akoka
-Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
-Delta State University, Abraka
-University of Nigeria, Nsukka
-University of Ilorin, Ilorin
7. Mass Communications
-University of Lagos, Akoka
-Covenant University, Ota
-University of Nigeria, Nsukka
-Enugu State University of Technology, Enugu
-Delta State University, Abraka
8. Business/Management Based Courses (Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Insurance, etc)
-University of Ilorin, Ilorin
-University of Lagos, Akoka
-Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
-University of Nigeria, Nsukka
-Covenant University, Ota
-Caleb University, Lagos
-University of Jos, Jos
-Pan-African University, Lagos (Postgraduate ONLY)
9. Pharmacy
-University of Ibadan, Ibadan
-Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
-University of Lagos, Akoka
-University of Jos, Jos
-University of Benin, Ugbowo
-University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
10. Veterinary Medicine
-University of Ibadan, Ibadan
-University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
-Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi
-Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
-University of Nigeria, Nsukka
-Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike
-Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
11. Pure & Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Geology, Botany, Mathematics, Computer Science, Microbiology, Biochemistry, etc)
-University of Ibadan, Ibadan
-University of Ilorin, Ilorin
-University of Lagos, Akoka
-Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
-Federal University of Technology, Akure
-Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
-Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
-Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti
-Covenant University, Ota
-University of Nigeria, Nsukka
-Federal University of Technology, Minna
-Rivers State University of Technology, Port-Harcourt
-Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso
12. Arts and Humanities (Music, Fine Arts, Linguistics, African & European Languages, Religious Studies, Philosophy, etc)
-University of Ibadan, Ibadan
-University of Ilorin, Ilorin
-University of Nigeria, Nsukka
-University of Lagos, Akoka
-Lagos State University, Ojo
-University of Port-Harcourt, Choba
-University of Calabar, Calabar
-University of Uyo, Uyo
-University of Jos, Jos
-University of Benin, Ugbowo
-Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
-Delta State University, Abraka
-Niger Delta University, Yenagoa
-Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
-Imo State University, Owerri
13. Arts, Science, Adult and Early Childhood Education as well as Educational Administration, Curriculum Studies, etc
-Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode
-University of Nigeria, Nsukka
-University of Ilorin, Ilorin
-Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port-Harcourt
-University of Uyo, Uyo
-University of Benin, Ugbowo
-Uthman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
-Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri (University Affiliated)
14. Agricultural Sciences
-Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
-Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi
-Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike
-Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola
-Landmark University, Omu-Aran
-Federal university of Technology, Owerri
-Federal University of Technology, Akure
-Federal University of Technology, Minna
15. Social Sciences (Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Public Administration, Geography, Tourism, etc)
-University of Ibadan, Ibadan
-Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma
-University of Benin, Ugbowo
-Delta State University, Abraka
-University of Lagos, Akoka
-University of Port-Harcourt, Choba
-University of Ilorin, Ilorin
-Covenant University, Ota
-American University of Nigeria, Yola
-Bayero University, Kano
This list, like I earlier said, is subjective and based on my established parameters. Even in its subjectivity, I have been as objective as possible. Let us all put our heads together and make the choices easier for potential students who are confused on where to school.
Compilation and write-up by Mathias Orhero.