Private universities in Nigeria are known for cutting-edge research, academic excellence and efficient academic calendars that have resulted in productive graduates turn out over the years.
Many graduates from these universities have excelled in their academic pursuits whether by pursuing postgraduate degrees, venturing into entrepreneurship or exploring other opportunities thereby gaining international recognition.
We have over one hundred private universities in Nigeria, these institutions vary in student enrolment, course portfolio, governance structures, fees, and numerous other attributes.
Truth be told, Nigeria’s educational system has expanded over the years, however, there are a lot of external factors that shatter the dreams of many young Nigerians and put a time lag on their year.
That is why aspiring educational individuals have built up private institutions which have a significant influence on children’s learning advancement and future.
These higher education institutions are now divided into government-owned institutions and private-owned by individuals, corporate bodies, and religious institutions which provide top-notch creative teaching strategies.
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Universities are ranked in view of six major indicators, which are: The learning environment (Teaching), Research, Citations, Staff, Students and research impact, and Industry income.
Top 10 Private Universities In Nigeria
Based on the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings and Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, these are the best Private universities in Nigeria according to New Telegraph findings.
1. Covenant University
The first private university that made our top 10 list was Covenant University owned by the Living Faith Church, better known as Winners Chapel.
Established in the year 2002, February 12, to be precise, Covenant University is located in the heart of Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria and officially opened for academic programmes in October 2002.
Covenant University which has a student population of about 15,000 and a staff population of 1000 is renowned for its strict Christian values, academic excellence, innovation, and a conducive learning environment.
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Covenant University is the only Nigerian University ranked among the top 500 universities in the world.
Webometrics considers Covenant University as the third-best university in Nigeria and the best private-owned Nigerian University.
The tuition fees of Covenant University range from ₦937,500 – ₦1,002,500, depending on your course of study and faculty.
2. American University of Nigeria
Another renowned private university in Nigeria is the American University of Nigeria (AUN) which makes our top 2 best-ranking private universities in Nigeria. Founded by the former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar in 2005, American University is located in Yola, Adamawa State.
The University’s curriculum, teaching methods, and even accreditation standards are all in the American Style because it was established to create a Nigerian version of the American University, Washington DC.
In 2015, AUN was listed in the World Guinness Book of Records for the largest group of people crocheting simultaneously. This act was sponsored and planned by the student body of the university to raise awareness of the use of non-degradable litter.
Webometrics considers the American University of Nigeria as the thirty-first university in Nigeria and the second-best private-owned Nigerian University.
AUN tuition fees range from ₦200,000 – ₦2,442,000 depending on your faculty and course of study.
3. Landmark University
Landmark University is a privately owned University owned by the Living Faith Church worldwide. Located at Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Landmark University’s aim is to act as a catalyst for an agricultural revolution.
Established in 2011, Landmark University commenced full operation on March 21, the same year.
Landmark University is licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to run undergraduate programs in the Colleges of Agricultural Sciences; Sciences and Engineering, Business and Social Sciences.
According to Webometrics, Landmark University ranks as the third-best private university in Nigeria.
Landmark University tuition fees range from 532,000 – ₦675,000 depending on your faculty and course of study.
4. Babcock University
Babcock University is another university on our top 10 list of best-ranking private universities in Nigeria. Babcock University is located at Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria and was established by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
While a lot of Nigerian Universities still hold on to the traditional beliefs about school management, Babcock University has continuously implemented policies that improve the standard of the Institution and its students.
Webometrics ranks Babcock University as the fourth-best private university in Nigeria.
Babcock University Tuition fees range from ₦300,000 – ₦1,500,000 depending on faculty and course of study.
5. Redeemer’s University
The top 5 best university on our list of top 10 best private universities in Nigeria is the Redeemer’s University, founded and established by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) headed by the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye in the year 2005 in Ede, Oun State, Nigeria.
Redeemer’s University is another successful higher institution built by a church and was granted an operating license by the Federal Government of Nigeria on 7 January 2005.
Redeemers has gradually become one of the best private universities in Nigeria since its establishment as a private university. In 2015, Redeemers University beat many top-rated African Universities to win a World Bank grant.
Webometrics ranks Redeemer’s University as the fifth-best private university in Nigeria.
Redeemer University tuition fees range from ₦600,000 – ₦1,450,000 depending on faculty or course of study.
6. Afe Babalola University
Popularly known for its reputation for churning out a large number of lawyers from its gates, Afe Babalola University has ranked as the sixth-best private University in Nigeria.
Founded by one of Nigeria’s renowned lawyers, Afe Babalola in year 2009, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria, Afe Babalola University has no doubt excelled over the years since its inception.
The colleges found in this University are College of Law (one of its most popular colleges), College of Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Social and Management Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences.
The university Tuition fees range from ₦800,000 – ₦2,500,000 depending on faculty and course of study.
7. Joseph Ayo Babalola University
The Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Popularly known as JABU for short is a privately owned university located in Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State. It is owned by the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC). The university was named after the first Spiritual leader of the Church, Joseph Ayo Babalola.
The university has different colleges including Law, Environmental Sciences, Natural Science, and Management Science and students in this institution are required to adopt a modest lifestyle based on biblical principles.
JABU pioneered the trend for entrepreneurship education in Nigeria. Following the success of JABU’s Entrepreneurial program, the National Universities Commission(NUC) made it mandatory for general studies that include entrepreneurship in the various degree programs in Nigeria.
Joseph Ayo Babalola University is seventh on the list of the top 10 Private Universities In Nigeria.
8. Lagos Business School Pan Atlantic University
Lagos Business School (LBS) is the graduate business school of Pan-Atlantic University. The University is located at Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. Lagos Business School Pan Atlantic University was founded and established in 1991.
In 2002, the name of the university was changed from Lagos Business School to Pan-African University. In May 2013 the name of the university was once again changed from Pan-African University to Pan-Atlantic University.
The university was founded on inspiration from the teachings of St Josemaria Escrivá, Opus Dei, a Spanish Roman Catholic priest who founded Opus Dei, an organization of lay people and priests dedicated to the teaching that everyone is called to holiness by God and that ordinary life can result in sanctity.
LBS offers academic programs, executive programs and short in management and it is renowned as one of the top global business schools, which makes it unsurprising to be listed as one of the top private universities in Nigeria.
The university tuition fees range from ₦2,312,500 – ₦2,835,000 depending on the course of study and faculty.
9. Godfrey Okoye University
Godfrey Okoye University belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Enugu State, Nigeria and it is located in Jideofor St, Thinkers Corner, Enugu.
It got its operational license on 3 November 2009 from the National Universities Commission. The vision of Godfrey Okoye University is to produce graduates who would be outstanding in learning, balanced in character, and personality and ready to pursue epistemic unity in all its ramifications.
Godfrey Okoye University is the best private university in Southeast Nigeria and the ninth-best private university in Nigeria. Fees range from ₦300,000 – ₦1,900,000.
10. Bowen University
The top ten-ranking private university in Nigeria is Bowen University located at Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. Bowen University was established by the first church in Nigeria, the Baptist Church of Nigeria in July 2001.
The University is located close to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the University of Ibadan (UI) which boasts some of the finest lecturers in the country because of its proximity to two other popular Universities.
The School is made up of 5 faculties and 1 college, namely: Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Social and Management Science, Faculty of Science and Science Education, and College of Health Sciences.
Bowen University ranks among the top 10 best privately owned universities, according to Webometrics ranking indices.
Their fees range from 84,000 – ₦1,185,000 depending on faculty and course of study.
Source: New Telegraph