7 Top Private Universities In Nigeria (Worth, FAQs) | 2023

In the last decade, private universities in Nigeria have become a preferred destination for tertiary education for most Nigerian students and those from neighboring West African countries.

A combination of recurrent ASUU strikes, poor learning facilities, and lack of funding by the government have made public education in Nigeria less attractive as the decades go by.

Although there are several private universities in Nigeria, just a few of them have actually made giant strides since their establishment to offer world-class learning experiences.

This article will discuss those private universities which that are highly regarded all over the most populous black country in the world.

What are Private Universities In Nigeria?

Private universities in Nigeria are academic institutions that are not owned, operated, managed, or funded by governments.

In Nigeria, these schools are still coordinated by the National Universities Commission (NUC), a government agency in charge of accrediting universities.

According to statistics, there are currently 79 private universities in Nigeria across the 36 states in the country.

Adding 43 federal and 48 state universities gives rise to 170 universities in the West African country.

Are Private Universities In Nigeria Worth It?

Attending a private university in Nigeria is arguably better than studying at a public university.

Although the best universities in Nigeria are still public universities, private university education in Nigeria is good because private schools have a definite graduation date enabled by the absence of ASUU strikes that has stagnated the public education system in Nigeria.

Also, private universities in Nigeria are safer than public colleges, and there is no risk of riots, cult classes, and violent protests that characterizes most public schools.

Several programs at private universities in Nigeria can be completed in four years, unlike some public schools where the same courses take five or six years.

Furthermore, private schools in Nigeria provide a rigorous learning experience; every student receives a personalized education focusing on dwindling their weaknesses and enhancing their strengths.

Private school students also receive better care than public school students and enjoy better moral grooming.

What are the Top Private Universities In Nigeria?

1. Covenant University

Covenant University is one of the best private universities in Nigeria.

This university, established in 2002, is owned by Bishop David Oyedepo, the General overseer of Livingfaith Church, also known as winners chapel international, one of the biggest Pentecostal churches in Nigeria.

Through the provision of top-notch education, Covenant University commits to grooming new leaders that will focus on restoring the lost glory of Africans.

This university has four colleges: The College of Business and Social Sciences, the College of Leadership and Development Studies, the College of Science and Technology, and the College of Engineering.

Covenant University has been rated many times more than any other private university as the best private university in Nigeria by the NUC, respected educational groups, and several reliable websites and blogs.

It is a top-notch academic institution that commits to knowledge development through a personalized learning curriculum, top-class teaching techniques, cutting-edge research, and much more.

Covenant University has produced thousands of graduates since its inception, and most are doing well in their chosen career fields.

2. Madonna University

Madonna University is another excellent addition to this list of top private universities in Nigeria. This school is owned by Very Rev. Fr. Prof. E.M.P. Edeh.

Established in 1999, Madonna has made giant strides in the last few years to become one of the top private universities in Nigeria.

It is the first private university in Nigeria to receive accreditation from the government and is the pioneer private catholic university in West Africa.

Madonna University has three different campuses; Elele, Okija, and Akpugo. This academic institution is the pioneer private university to produce licensed medical doctors in Nigeria.

Since its establishment, Madonna University has produced thousands of graduates, creating impacts worldwide.

It is understood that Madonna University was also the pioneer private university to have its graduates work on all continents worldwide. 

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3. Afe Babalola

Afe Babalola is one of the top private universities in Nigeria. It is an advanced center of education that provides top-notch education in several fields.

This school commits to training individuals that are sound, agile, and ready to create impacts in their respective practice fields.

The learning experiences at Afe help develop graduates who can work independently without needing to work under anyone once they graduate.

Furthermore, classes at Afe Babalola focus extensively on every area of field knowledge. This has proven to affect the academic development of students positively.

Afe has built a reputation as a credible learning institution that places intellectualism at the pinnacle of its tradition.

It is renowned all over the country and Africa for producing highly skilled and socially relevant graduates that can utilize scientific knowledge to solve societal challenges.

Afe Babalola has a stable academic schedule, a top-notch library, world-class labs, and an excellent road network. It is a school that popularly invests a lot in research.

4. Bowen University

Bowen University is another excellent addition to this list. Established in 2001, this school has maintained a high standard of education for over two decades.

Bowen University is located in Oyo State, Nigeria. It is the first Baptist University in Africa.

Bowen is accredited by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC). This school has several faculties and runs many programs that cut across many fields of study.

Currently, it offers one of the best law programs in the country. The faculty at this school has many years of experience in teaching and maximally commit to their responsibilities.

5. Babcock University

Babcock University is another Christian university to feature on this list. The Seventh-day Adventist Church owns this school.

It is a learning institution that offers many academic programs across several fields. This is surprising because Babcock was first established as a Christian University.

Babcock University currently has several affiliations with many universities all over the world. This enables it to sustain world-class teaching and research experiences.

The institution has produced thousands of graduates doing well for themselves and creating massive career impacts.

Babcock has many colleges, such as Benjamin S. Carson (Snr) College of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Law and Security Studies, School of Science and Technology, School of Education and Humanities, College of Postgraduate studies, and many others.

6. Joseph Ayo Babalola University

Joseph Ayo Babalola University is one of the best private universities in Nigeria. It is located in Osun state.

It commits to world-class teaching, research, and service through its high-quality undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

The available courses in this school span several fields, such as Agricultural and Natural Sciences, Humanities, Law, Social Sciences, and Management Sciences.

Babalola University is the pioneer entrepreneurial university in Nigeria. Since its establishment in 2004, it has been known for its world-class learning standards.

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7. Redeemers University

Redeemers University is another top-class institution in the country. It is one of the top colleges in Nigeria that has set a standard for excellence that aims at transforming society.

The academic institution is a global hub for research, creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

They consistently sustain high moral standards, and students are groomed in God’s knowledge to enable them to become professionals that discharge their duties with the fear of God.

Furthermore, Redeemers University has several world-class learning facilities, and the faculty members at this school are skillful.

The faculty members are fully committed to their student’s academic and professional development.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) On Top Private Universities in Nigeria

What is the best private university in Nigeria?

Babcock is widely regarded by many as the best private university in Nigeria. The Seventh-day Adventist Church owns it.

Which private university in Nigeria has the highest number of students?

Madonna University has more students than any other private university in Nigeria.

What is the cheapest private university in Nigeria?

Oduduwa University is the cheapest private university in Nigeria.

Which Nigeria has the lowest acceptance rate?

The University of Ibadan in Oyo state is the lowest acceptance rate among universities in the country.

Conclusion

Over the past ten years, private colleges in Nigeria have risen to prominence as top choices for higher education.

Poor infrastructure, a lack of government support, and frequent strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have all contributed to a decline in interest in Nigeria’s public university system.

There are several private universities in Nigeria, and this article has done a great job discussing the best that provides world-class education.

However, to secure admission into any private university in Nigeria, you must score high on the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination offered by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board.

Awesome one; I hope this article answers your question.

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Abasiofon Fidelis
Abasiofon Fidelis

Abasiofon Fidelis is a professional writer who loves to write about college life and college applications. He has been writing articles for over 3 years. He is the Content Manager at School and Travel.

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