Many Nigerians today have belittled the power of state universities in the country because they simply believe that these state-owned universities can’t be compared to their federal and private counterparts in terms of teaching capability, quality of learning facilities, and overall quality of education.
Nigerian state universities are becoming better by the day and some of these universities have even proven to be better than many federal and private universities in the country when you analyze the rankings of the best Nigerian universities right now as outlined by the country’s universities commission academic ranking portals on the web.
In this article, you will find a verified list of the best state universities in Nigeria as provided by the National Universities Commission (NUC) this year.
These Universities are ranked using various factors which include quality of teaching and learning facilities, alumni, funding, and overall quality of education in these universities.
Whether you are a prospective student, parent, or education enthusiast, this article will provide valuable insights into the state universities that are leading the way in Nigeria’s academic landscape.
Top 10 Best State Universities In Nigeria (Latest NUC Ranking)
1) Lagos State University (LASU)
Lagos State University which is popularly known as LASU is a Lagos state government-owned multi-campus, collegiate and non-residential University located in Lagos State, Nigeria. It currently has three campuses – the Ojo campus (main campus), the Epe campus (engineering), and the Ikeja campus (medicine).
LASU is currently ranked as the best state-owned university in the country and one of the best Nigerian universities to study law. The university caters to a population of over 35,000 full-time students and over 3,000 students who are enrolled in part-time studies.
The Lagos State University also currently offers diploma, degree, and postgraduate programs including an MBA program.
Faculties at Lagos State University are listed below:
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Management Sciences
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Clinical Sciences
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Basic Medical Science
- Faculty of Education
2) Rivers State University (RSU)
Rivers State University is a state-owned university which is located in the Diobu area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South-southern Nigeria. It was established in 1980 by the then Rivers State Government and its name was changed from “Rivers State University of Science and Technology” to “Rivers State University” in 2017.
This University is one of the best universities in Nigeria and an outstanding state university in the country for students who intend to study science and technology-related courses. RSU is currently ranked as one of the best Nigerian technology universities and the 2nd best state university in Nigeria right now.
RSU is one of the popular universities in the Niger Delta Region in Nigeria. This university is currently the first and one of only 2 Nigerian universities accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to offer complete degree programs in Marine Engineering.
Faculties at Rivers State University include:
- Faculty of Sciences
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Management Sciences
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Science and Technical Education
3) Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)
The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology popularly referred to as LAUTECH is a state-owned university of technology which is located in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, South-western Nigeria.
LAUTECH is one of the few state-owned universities which is regarded as one of the best universities of technology in Nigeria. Its name was changed to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology after the separation of Osun State from Oyo State in 1991.
The university is ranked as one of Nigeria’s best state universities right now and it occupies the 3rd position on this list.
Faculties at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology include:
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences
- Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology
- Faculty of Pure and Applied Science
- Faculty of Management Sciences
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
4) Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye (OOU)
Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye is a state-owned and operated university which is located in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria.
The university was founded on the 7th of July, 1982, as Ogun State University (OSU) but was later renamed to Olabisi Onabanjo University in 2001 in honor of Chief (Dr.) Olabisi Onabanjo was a one-time governor of its host state, Ogun state.
OOU has an estimated number of 50,000 students and it is ranked as one of the best Nigerian state universities according to the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Faculties in Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye include:
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Social Management Sciences
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Clinical Sciences
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Sciences
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
5) Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU)
The Delta State University, Abraka which is popularly known as DELSU is a State government-owned university located in Abraka, Delta State, South-southern Nigeria.
The university has 3 campuses. The main campus is located at Abraka, Delta State while the other two campuses are located at Anwai, Asaba, and Oleh all in Delta State, Nigeria.
Currently, DELSU has a student population of over 36,000 students on its 3 campuses. The University offers a range of programs from full-time certificate, diploma, and degree programs to part-time evening and weekend degree programs.
Faculties at Delta State University, Abraka are listed below:
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Sciences
- Faculty of the Social Sciences
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Accountancy
- Faculty of Environmental Studies
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of science
6) Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (AAU)
Ambrose Alli University is a state university that was established by the governor of the now-defunct Bendel State – Professor Ambrose Folorunsho Alli. It was first known as Bendel University, then Edo State University when Bendel was split into Edo and Delta States, and eventually Ambrose Allii University in commemoration of Professor Ambrose Folorunso Alli.
AAU is known for its unique style of teaching and learning. It is known for the deployment and application of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in every aspect of the day-to-day administration of the institution.
Although AAU was initially known for cult activities on campus, this became a thing of the past after the new Vice-chancellor took the mantle of leadership in the university. Today, AAU is known as one of the best state universities in the country and
Faculties at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma include:
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering & Technology
- Faculty of Environmental Studies
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Life Sciences
- Faculty of Management Sciences
- Faculty of Physical Sciences
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Clinical Sciences
7) Enugu State University Of Science & Technology (ESUT)
The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) is a university that is owned and managed by the Enugu State Government in South-Eastern Nigeria. It was founded as ASUTECH on July 30, 1980, and is one of the few universities of technology which is located in Nigeria’s southeast.
ESUT is regarded as one of the best state universities in the country with a mission to promote scholarship, especially in the areas of Science, Management, and Technology, thereby ensuring the development of quality manpower that will utilize technology for the service of society.
Today, The Enugu State University Of Technology caters to over 50,000 students (undergraduates and postgraduates) with 9 faculties and over 50 courses present in the university.
The 9 faculties at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) include:
- Faculty of Agricultural & Natural Resources Management
- Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Management Sciences
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Faculty of Social Sciences.
8) Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA)
Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) is a state-owned and operated Nigerian university which is located in Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.
AAUA was established as Obafemi Awolowo University in March 1982 by the government of the old Ondo State but its name was later changed to Ondo State University in 1985 by the next military governor of the state.
In 2004, the name of this university was changed again, this time to Adekule Ajasin University in honor of the late Adekule Ajadsin who was a one-time governor of its host state (Ondo state).
AAU offers a wide range of programs. These programs include undergraduate, post-graduate, and Pre-degree programs and JUBEB programs.
Adekunle Ajasin University currently has 6 faculties and they’re listed below.
- Faculty of Art
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Social & Management Sciences
9) Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU)
Ekiti state university is also a state-owned and managed tertiary institution which is located in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria. it is one of the most sought-after schools in Southwestern Nigeria with an estimated population of over 50,000 students and counting.
As of today, EKSU is one of the schools with the fastest academic calendar in Nigeria and the only university in Nigeria that has changed its name four consecutive times within a quarter of a century.
The university is also one of the best Nigerian state universities and the institution is equipped with well-trained academic staff and a highly conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Faculties at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti are listed below:
- Faculty of Agricultural Science
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Clinical Sciences
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Management Science
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Sciences
10) Kwara State University (KWASU)
Kwara State University is a state-owned university (Kwara state) that was established by the then governor of Kwara state and the former senate president – Bukola Saraki, in 2009.
KWASU is the 77th Nigerian university to be registered by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the 95th university to be recognized in the country.
Academic activities in KWASU operate from three campuses located in Malete, Ilesha-Baruba, and Osi-Opin all in Kwara state, Nigeria.
The Malete campus is the main campus and houses the College of Pure and Applied Sciences, the College of Information and Communication Technology, and the College of Education. The Osi campus houses the College of Engineering, College of Humanities, Management, and Social Sciences. The Baruba Campus will house the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, state-owned universities are some of the best universities you can find in West Africa. Although most state universities in the country are often less funded when compared to their counterparts at the federal level, with proper management most of them can be put on the same level as some of these federal and even private universities in Nigeria.
In this article, we have explored some of the top-ranking state universities in Nigeria their academic strengths, a little history, and also a list of all faculties in each university on the list.
While each university on this list of the best Nigerian state universities has its own unique history and academic strengths, they all share a collective vision of providing quality education and preparing students for the challenges of the future.
If you were confused about which state university is the best in Nigeria, then we hope you found this article helpful and hopefully it helped you make an informed decision about where to pursue your academic goals.
