EDUCATION: List of Federal Universities in Nigeria

There are 170 universities in Nigeria. As of 2021, 79 were private, and federal universities amounted to 50, while state universities were 48. Some of the most popular federal universities are the University of Ibadan, the University of Nigeria, the Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Lagos, and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

The latter is the largest university in Nigeria by the number of students. In 2019, the number of all students enrolled reached 565,000. The National Open University of Nigeria is the largest open and distance learning institute on the whole African continent. It is based in Abuja but has several campuses across Nigeria.

By definition, Federal Universities are owned and controlled, and funded by the Federal Government. They are established Federal Universities are established to engender and promote unity. Federal universities were built to universities to ensure the distribution and location of the universities in each geopolitical state of Nigeria.

Below are the reasons why Federal Universities are better than State Universities:

Cheaper Tuition: Federal Universities are cheaper than state-owned. This is the major reason why many students who are not financially stable choose Federal Universities. However, it is these universities are prone to ASUU strikes.

Cultural Diversity: Unlike state-owned university that gives preference to indigenes, Federal Universities admit more students from different cultural backgrounds. That is why Federal Universities are centers for the promotion of unity in diversity.

However, the private universities may seem to be doing better in terms of funding and infrastructure, but the very high fees which they charge students make their accessibility herculean.

Please note, these 50 accredited Federal Universities comprise Universities of Technology, Agriculture, Health, Security and Universities of Education domiciled in different states of the federation and the FCT.

Here is the list of Federal Universities in Nigeria

1. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University

2. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

3. Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)

4. Bayero University, Kano

5. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

6. Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi

7. Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru, Kebbi State

8. Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State

9. Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun, Osun State

10. Federal University of Health Technology, Otukpo Benue

11. Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun

12. the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)

13. Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa State

14. Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State

15. the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)

16. Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

17. Federal University, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State

18. Federal University, Dustin-ma, Katsina State

19. Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State

20. Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State

21. Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State

22. Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State

23. Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State.

24. Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State

25. Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State

26. Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State

27. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State

28. Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State

29. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia

30. Modibbo Adama University of Technology

31. the National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos (NOUN)

32. Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB)

33. Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna (NDA)

34. Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko, Delta State (NMU)

35. Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano

36. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

37. Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State.

38. The Federal University of Technology Minna.

39. University of Abuja, Gwagwalada

40. University of Benin (UNIBEN)

41. University of Calabar, Calabar

42. University of Ibadan, Oyo State

43. University of Ilorin, Ilorin

44. University of Jos, Jos

45. University of Lagos, Lagos State

46. University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri

47. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

48. University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT)

49. University of Uyo, Uyo

50. Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto.