25 Best Universities In Nigeria For International Students 2025

If you are looking to study in Nigeria, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 156 universities and colleges in Nigeria, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 156 universities in Nigeria, University of Ibadan and University of Lagos are the top-performing schools in Nigeria. This list covers both public and private institutions in Nigeria.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Nigeria. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Nigeria.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Nigeria?

Applying to the universities in Nigeria involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Nigeria to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Nigeria?

Tuition fees at Nigeria’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 30,000 NGN to 3,867,400 NGN , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 0 NGN to 8,400,000 NGN. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Nigeria!

As we cover the best universities in Nigeria for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Nigeria for International Students

The University of Ibadan started as a small institution for arts and medicine courses. It has undergone innovative changes throughout the years, resulting in its expansion and internationalization. It also aims to contribute not just to its constituents but also to external communities to initiate development in society. Hence, the institution transformed into a full-fledged independent university that seeks to train professionals in various fields and allow them to become experts someday.

The University of Lagos is a top-tier public tertiary education in Nigeria. It is considered a forerunner of providing exceptional programs tailored to prepare students to excel in their future career paths. Students are presented with a wide selection of industry-specific programs ranging from medical sciences to engineering studies. Aside from its top-quality education, the university encourages students to serve and be part of its thriving community.

The University of Port Harcourt is Nigeria’s premier public university, offering education at all tertiary education levels: undergraduate, master’s, Ph.D., certificate, and diploma. Although a public institution, it is also supported by a foundation named after it, and the funding allows the institution to explore many academic disciplines, opportunities, and projects. Hence, Uniport (as it is also known) is able to encompass a broad range of courses, from the medical sciences to the humanities.

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is a premier university in the southwestern region of Nigeria. Initially, the university operated with only five faculties: Agriculture, Economics and Social Sciences, Arts, Law, and Sciences. But, since its founding, it gradually expanded and added more departments to cater to a more diverse student population, thus generating human resources for various public and private industry sectors.

The main objective of the University of Ilorin is to produce a highly professional workforce that can meet the demands and standards of the business industry. With its various course offerings, the university has been successful in maximizing the talents of its students by giving comprehensive assessments and training. Over the years, the university has constantly persevered to widen its international scope and to be able to accept more students through exchange programs and research projects.

The University of Nigeria is more and shortly known as UNN, which stands for the University Of Nigeria Nsukka. However, its Nsukka campus is only one of three other locations. This multi-campus institution patterns its education system after American universities. That may be because when the institution was first established, international advisers were consulted by the government to help plan and develop UNN. Aside from that, the university is also the first to be founded by the Nigerian government and one of the first institutions in the country to produce tertiary education graduates.

Covenant University is one of Nigeria’s most prominent universities, being the first to be ranked among Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings. Such is an impressive feat, a testament to this Pentecostal Christian academe’s commitment to high-quality education and research. It is also dedicated to producing Africa’s future leaders who can advance the black race and its dignity.

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) is one of Nigeria’s leading federal government research universities. The school was established to impart contemporary knowledge through multi-disciplinary approaches and with the aid of high-quality facilities. It also develops individuals to become intellects who can generate new ideas that meet the needs of their community and the entire country.

The University of Benin (UniBEN), a public research university located in Benin City, Nigeria, is a university owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria with its main campus in Ugbowo and a second campus in Ekehuan. UniBEN was formerly an Institute of Technology until it was officially recognized as a university by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in 1971. UniBEN is affiliated with the Association of African Universities.

This university was named after the first Nigerian leader, Nnamdi Azikiwe. It is one of the renowned universities in Nigeria, accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC), which oversees educational institutions in Nigeria.

Also, Nnamdi Azikiwe University collaborates with other schools, research facilities, and NGOs to give their students first-hand experiences in their respective fields.

The Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA or FUT Akure) is a federal government-owned university in Akure, Ondo, State, Nigeria. It was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1981 during a campaign to create universities that produce graduates with practical and technical knowledge of various technologies. Since then, it has expanded into several constituent schools.

FUNAAB, or UNAAB (University of Agriculture, Abeokuta), is Nigeria’s first specialized agricultural university. This institution aims to establish an environment that supports teaching, learning, and community development. However, the university’s mission is to transform agriculture by producing top-notch graduates. Moreover,  FUNAAB is also well known for its research in several areas, including veterinary medicine and food science. 

Ladoke University of Technology was founded in 1990 and is one of the best universities in Nigeria, offering science and technology programs. It is well known for its top-notch engineering, technology, and science faculties. What sets this institution apart is its dedication to entrepreneurship and innovation. It promotes creative problem-solving and encourages the students to think outside the box. As a result, many LAUTECH alums have become prosperous business owners and executives.

Lagos State University (LASU) is a multi-campus public university based in Ojo, Lagos State, Nigeria. Meanwhile, its sub-campuses are in Ikeja and Epe. It was founded to help advance learning and education in Nigeria and has earned its mark amongst universities through global and local recognitions. Such excellence led to LASU receiving international funding, allowing it to prosper and achieve its potential.

Afe Babalola is one of the renowned universities in Nigeria. The faculty at ABUAD comprises professionals passionate about teaching and have all the credentials and expertise to do so effectively. 

It offers different community services and internship programs to give students a chance to put their classroom learning into practice while at university. Moreover, university resources, such as academic advising, counselling, and career services, are top-notch. 

Olabisi Onabanjo University aims to provide its students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in a constantly evolving world. Also, it aims to be one of the greatest universities in Africa to develop graduates who positively affect their communities. However, the dedication of OOU to academic achievement is a major factor in the school’s immense popularity. 

The Federal University of Technology, Minna, popularly known as FUTMINNA, is a technologically specialized institution that offers degrees in various technology-inclined fields. The school was established to develop students into becoming professionals in the area of science, technology, and engineering. This federal government-owned university also offers research-inclined programs that have contributed to the country’s development.

Adekunle Ajasin University, previously known as Obafemi Awolowo University, aims to advance knowledge and self-reliance by establishing a setting that supports teaching and research. It offers several program types: pre-degree, JUPEB, undergraduate, postgraduate, and specialized subjects. Its resources and facilities are impressive, too. For instance, it has a sports complex that allows indoor and outdoor activities.

Kwara State University (KWASU), a state-owned and operated university in Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria, was established in 2009 through a bill signed into law in 2008. It serves the local community of Kwara State but accepts international students as well. It also won a UNESCO grant that helped establish the UNESCO Chair for Alternative Energy Programme, which shall be handled by its Centre for Ecological and Environmental Research Management Studies.

UNIJOS is one of the universities in Nigeria that offers diverse academic programs. For instance, science, social sciences, humanities, and management sciences are just a few examples. This diversity of academic programs provides students with various options and allows them to pursue their passions.
However, before entering UNIJOS, students must remember that the university has high academic standards and expects its students to be dedicated and hardworking.

According to the Times Higher Education World Ranking for 2023, Bayero University Kano is the fourth-best university in Nigeria. It is dedicated to tackling developmental difficulties through cutting-edge research, the sharing of knowledge, and the training of top-notch professionals. The university’s key goals are to function efficiently, lead in research and innovation, and have an impact on development.

University of Abuja (UofA) is the first bimodal university in Nigeria, which allows it to provide two excellent modes of education: traditional learning and distance learning approaches. By incorporating online learning, UofA is closer to achieving its goal of making all its academic services fully accessible to a large number of students.

The Federal University of Technology, Owerri, is among the first universities in Nigeria that created the first car, the FUTON III, constructed entirely in the country. The institution has received numerous prizes and acclaim domestically and internationally for contributions to advancing science and technology in Nigeria. Furthermore, the school places a premium on doing well globally and has several outreach activities to help students with pressing social issues.

River State University (RSU) has modern facilities and technology that support learning and research. The university has well-equipped laboratories, a digital library, and an e-learning platform that allows students to access course materials online. Besides this, RSU welcomes international students and supports them in areas such as accommodation, visas, and cultural adjustment. The university also has partnerships with international institutions, allowing its students to participate in exchange programs and study abroad.

Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, has partnerships with industry leaders, allowing its students to gain practical experience and develop valuable skills to help them succeed in the workforce. Also, EKSU offers a welcoming and inclusive environment if you’re an international student. It does so by offering a diverse student body that makes international students feel at home. Additionally, the university supports international students in areas such as accommodation, visas, and cultural adjustment.