Private universities are educational institutions that are owned and operated by individuals in Nigeria. These institutions have contributed significantly to improving the quality of education in Nigeria by providing quality educational services to students in the country.
Due to the federal government’s inability to fully fund the nation’s educational sector, many Nigerians have suffered significant educational problems, including strikes, inability to gain admission to schools, and so on.
Private universities have, therefore, filled in the gap and become a viable option for many students. Although private universities are known to be expensive, they have a speedy academic schedule that is not affected by political problems or ASUU strikes.
They have also produced outstanding individuals who have excelled globally. They have impressive buildings that can compete with those in state and federal universities, and their lecturers are top-notch.
However, not all private universities in Nigeria provide quality educational services. Our team of educational experts conducted thorough research on various private universities in Nigeria and interviewed students from 50 private institutions to curate this list of the best 50 private universities based on their facilities, alumni, international recognition, and student reviews. We also included their fees and world ranking according to Webometrics and Times Higher Education.
| Nigerian Rank | Private University | State | Year Founded | School Fees | World Ranking |
| 1 | Covenant University | Ogun | 2002 | N900,000 – N1, 000,000 | 1,357 |
| 2 | Landmark University | Kwara | 2011 | N600,000 – N700,000 | 2,283 |
| 3 | Redeemers University | Osun | 2005 | N600,000 – N1, 000,000 | 3,918 |
| 4 | American University of Nigeria | Adamawa | 2003 | N1, 000,000 and above | 5,198 |
| 5 | Godfrey Okoye University | Enugu | 2009 | N400,000 – N600,000 | 5277 |
| 6 | Joseph Ayobabalola University | Osun | 2004 | N500,000 – N650,000 | 6,274 |
| 7 | Babcock University | Ogun | 1959 | N600,000 – N1, 500,000 | 6,664 |
| 8 | Gregory University | Abia | 2012 | N600,000 – N1, 500,000 | 6941 |
| 9 | Veritas University | Abuja | 2002 | N700,000 – N900,000 | 7205 |
| 10 | Igbinedion University | Edo | 1999 | N800,000 – N3,000,000 | 7,728 |
| 11 | Bowen University | Osun | 2001 | N600,000 – N1,000,000 | 7,929 |
| 12 | Baze University | Abuja | 2011 | N2,000,000 and above | 8298 |
| 13 | Adeleke University | Osun | 2011 | N300,000 – N1,500,000 | 8529 |
| 14 | Nile University of Nigeria | Abuja | 2009 | N2,000,000 – N5,000,000 | 8572 |
| 15 | Mountain Top University | Ogun | 2015 | N500,000 – N800,000 | 9242 |
| 16 | Bingham University | Nassarawa | 2005 | N400,000 – N2,800,000 | 9249 |
| 17 | Achievers University | Ondo | 2007 | N400,000 – N500,000 | 9342 |
| 18 | Bells University of Technology | Ogun | 2004 | N800,000 – N900,000 | 9439 |
| 19 | Lead City University | Oyo | 2005 | N400,000 – N1,000,000 | 9447 |
| 20 | Dominion University | Oyo | N700,000 – N800,000 | 9673 | |
| 21 | Madonna University | Rivers | 1999 | N300,000 – N1,500,000 | 9692 |
| 22 | Benson Idahosa University | Benin | 1981 | N400,000 – N2,000,000 | 9744 |
| 23 | Elizade University | Ondo | 2013 | N700,000 – N1,300,000 | 10018 |
| 24 | Caleb University | Lagos | 2007 | N400,000 – N600,000 | 10217 |
| 25 | Kings University | Osun | 2015 | N800,000 – N900,000 | 11299 |
| 26 | Edwin Clark University | Deltha | 2015 | N400,000 – N500,000 | 11702 |
| 27 | Anchor University | Lagos | 2016 | N500,000 – N600,000 | 11739 |
| 28 | Samuel Adegboyega University | Edo | 2011 | N400,000 – N500,000 | 13430 |
| 29 | Augustine University | Lagos | 2015 | N300,000 – N400,000 | 13495 |
| 30 | Paul University | Anambra | 2009 | N300,000 – N400,000 | 13823 |
| 31 | Novena University | Deltha | 2005 | N300,000 – N600,000 | 13862 |
| 32 | Ajayi Crowther University | Oyo | 2005 | N300,000 – N600,000 | 14121 |
| 33 | Al Qalam University | Kastina | 2005 | N700,000 – N800,000 | 14554 |
| 34 | Chrisland University | Ogun | 2015 | N500,000 – N600,000 | 14764 |
| 35 | Crawford University | Ogun | 2005 | N300,000 – N600,000 | 14955 |
| 36 | Al Hikmah University | Kwara | 2005 | N300,000 – N400,000 | 15094 |
| 37 | McPherson University | Ogun | 2012 | N400,000 – N600,000 | 15214 |
| 38 | Evangel University | Ebonyi | 2012 | N200,000 – N400,000 | 15260 |
| 39 | Fountain University | Osun | 2007 | N400,000 – N600,000 | 15476 |
| 40 | Rhema University | Abia | 2009 | N400,000 – N500,000 | 15491 |
| 41 | Bamidele Olumilua University of Education Science & Technology | Ekiti | N200,000 – N300,000 | 16063 | |
| 42 | Coal City University | Enugu | 2016 | N400,000 – N600,000 | 16288 |
| 43 | PAMO University of Medical Sciences | Rivers | 2017 | N3,000,000 – N4,000,000 | 16762 |
| 44 | Caritas University | Enugu | 2004 | N220,000 – N390,000 | 16785 |
| 45 | Dominican University | Oyo | 2016 | N400,000 – N500,000 | 17334 |
| 46 | Oduduwa University | Osun | 2009 | N200,000 – N300,000 | 17355 |
| 47 | Tansian University | Anambra | 2009 | N300,000 – N700,000 | 17426 |
| 48 | KolaDaisi University | Oyo | 2016 | N500,000 – N900,000 | 17648 |
| 49 | Renaissance University | Enugu | 2005 | N300,000 – N400,000 | 17866 |
| 50 | Summit University Offa | Kwara | 2015 | N200,000 – N300,000 | 18408 |
Covenant University
Covenant University, located in Ota, Ogun State, is a faith-based university owned by Living Faith Church that was established in 2002.
Even though the university has strict regulations regarding behaviour, clothing, and lifestyle, the university graduates close to 5,000 students each year who receive bachelor’s, master’s, and even doctorate degrees.
Covenant University has received recognition for its academic excellence, such as being named Covenant Africa’s Best World Class Private Varsity of the Decade in Quality Education and the first African university to win the International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN) Award in nine years.
The annual tuition fee is relatively high, which may make it challenging for some students to attend. To help students, Covenant University provides scholarship opportunities for interested students.
Covenant University’s Centre for Research, Innovation, and Discovery leads in research that advances society, such as bioinformatics, and grows capacity in scholarship, community development, and industrial relevance.
The university’s alumni network comprises over 10,000 members in over 50 countries, with more than 15% of alumni being entrepreneurs who create job opportunities for others. Many of the university’s graduates excel in postgraduate programs at Ivy League universities worldwide.
Covenant University has four colleges presently, which include :
- College of Engineering
- College of Leadership and Development Studies
- College of Management and Social Sciences
- College of Science and Technology.
World Ranking: 1,357th best university in the world
Nigerian rank: 3rd best university in Nigeria
Landmark University
Landmark university is a faith-based university founded by the Living Faith Church, also known as Winners chapel. It was founded in 2011 in a small Kwara town (Omu-Aran).
The facilities at this university are among the best in Nigeria, and there is even a financial aid program to assist students whose parents are struggling to cover the tuition costs.
The university motivates its students to explore the field of agriculture, regardless of their major discipline. They also encourage Nigerian students to pursue agriculture-related courses by offering scholarships and career talks.
Landmark university introduced a Certificate and Diploma Course in Agripreneurship in Nigeria, which aims to educate participants about the business opportunities available in agriculture.
The University is collaborating with various institutions around the world, including Nottingham University, British Council, and Boras University, in its efforts to promote its Agrarian Revolution.
Colleges/Faculties
There are about Four distinct colleges at Landmark University, each with a variety of departments; they are:
- College of Agricultural Sciences
- College of Engineering
- College of Pure and Applied Science
- College of Business and social science
World Ranking: 2,283rd best university in the world
Nigerian rank: 10th best university in Nigeria
Redeemers University
The Redeemed Christian Church of God owns the Redeemer’s University of Nigeria. It was founded in 2005 in Ede, Nigeria, off the Gbongan-Oshogbo Road.
The university, in particular, wishes to foster the spirit of entrepreneurship so that its graduates will be able to create jobs rather than rely on employment, which is currently scarce.
To generate graduates who are educated in their professions and ready to make a good effect in their communities and the wider world, the university is noted for stressing character development and community service.
Redeemer’s university is renowned for its contributions to research in several areas, including the humanities and social sciences and science and technology.
Colleges/Faculties
Redeemer’s University Nigeria currently has eight faculties, namely:
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Built Environment Studies
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Management Sciences
- Faculty of Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Social Sciences
World Ranking: 3,918th best university in the world
Nigerian rank: 27th best university in Nigeria
American University of Nigeria
American University of Nigeria (AUN) was established by Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, GCON, in Yola, the capital of his native state, Adamawa, in northeastern Nigeria.
AUN introduced a graduate program in 2012 called the Executive Masters in Information Technology. The accreditation and re-accreditation of AUN’s programs by the National Universities Commission (NUC) demonstrate the quality of education and the institution’s high standards.
The launch of the Executive Master’s degree in Information Technology and the approval of more programs up to the Ph.D. level are also positive developments that show AUN’s commitment to providing advanced and diverse educational opportunities to its students.
At the American University of Nigeria (AUN), students can access a MATH Resource Center, which assists those who require extra attention in their academic work. The centre also serves as a platform for individuals seeking to improve their mathematical and statistical skills in an enabling environment.
In addition to the MATH resource Center, AUN has a Writing Center that supports students at every stage of the writing process. Through small group instruction, peer-to-peer tutorship, and mentoring, the centre helps students to develop their writing skills and improve their academic performance. The centre’s free educational and literacy support services equip writers to read strategically, listen actively, compose content multimodally, interact meaningfully, and communicate fluently in verbal or written forms.
At AUN, exceptional student support services are readily available to ensure a fulfilling academic experience. Moreover, AUN is collaborating with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to provide a new Master of Science degree program in Communication for Social and Behavior Change. This collaboration highlights AUN’s commitment to offering innovative and relevant programs that address current global issues.
Colleges/Faculties
This university has three schools:
- School of Arts and Sciences
- School of Business and Entrepreneurship
- School of Information Technology and Communications.
World Ranking: 5,198th best university in the world
Nigerian rank: 42nd best university in Nigeria
Joseph Ayobabalola University
Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) was founded by The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Ipo Arakeji and Ikeji Arakeji+ in Osun State, Nigeria. The university bears Joseph Ayo Babalola’s name, the first spiritual head of the Christ Apostolic Church (1904–1959).
Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) established the Centre for Distance Learning (CDL JABU) for the need for flexible tertiary education options and to expand access to higher education to Nigerians who may not have the financial means to pursue it. In line with this mission, the university’s senate introduced a successful part-time program in 2011, which attracted participants from all over the country.
The university has a strong research culture and has contributed significantly to knowledge creation in various fields through its research activities. It has partnered with several local and international institutions to enhance its academic and research activities.
JABU is strongly committed to community service and has initiated several programs to address societal challenges, including healthcare, education, and poverty alleviation. Overall, it has made significant strides in providing quality education and contributing to the development of its community and Nigeria.
Colleges/Faculties
At the time of writing, there are five established faculties at Joseph Ayo Babalola University, namely:
- College of Agricultural and Natural Sciences
- College of Environmental Sciences
- College of Humanities
- College of Law
- College of Management Sciences
World Ranking: 6,274th best university in the world
Nigerian rank: 51st best university in Nigeria
Babcock University
Babcock University, a faith-based institution in Ogun State, is among Nigeria’s top 10 best private universities. The university is owned by Seventh-day Adventist Church and was named after prominent American missionary David C. Babcock, who led the church.
The university provides financial aid opportunities in the form of full and partial scholarship awards for qualified students with several scholarship schemes available, including the Adopt-a-Student Scholarship Scheme, PCF Education Endowment Fund, Springtime Development Foundation (SDF), Student Support Service’s Needy Students’ Fund, and Ilishan Indigenes Scholarship. The scholarships have varying conditions and are based on need or merit.
To gain admission into Babcock University, candidates must have a minimum of five credits in their O’level examination in relevant subjects at not more than 2 sittings with one sitting only for Medicine.
The university offers a virtual tour for those who cannot physically visit the university on the university’s website.
Babcock University has produced notable alumni, including famous Nigerian musician Davido, popular Nigerian actor Olumide Oworu, and the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Debo Ogundoyin.
Colleges/Faculties
The university has nine schools and one college;
- School of Agriculture and Industrial Technology
- School of Basic and Applied Science
- School of Education and Humanities
- Babcock Business School
- School of Computing and Engineering
- School of Public and Applied Health
- School of Post-graduate Studies
- School of Law and Security Studies
- College of Health and Medical Sciences.
World Ranking: 6,664th best university in the world
Nigerian rank: 53rd best university in Nigeria
Igbinedion University, Okada
Igbinedion University is the first private school ever created in Nigeria. It is located in Okada, Edo State, Nigeria and was founded in 1999 by Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, a renowned philanthropist and businessman. Igbinedion University is committed to providing quality education relevant to society’s needs.
The university has modern facilities, including well-equipped laboratories, libraries, and sports facilities, to enhance the learning experience of its students. Igbinedion University also has a solid commitment to research and community service. It strives to produce graduates who are academically excellent, morally upright, and socially responsible.
The university is also a member of the Consortium of Development Partnerships (CDP), which comprises universities, research institutions, governments, and development partners from North America, Europe, and West Africa. It has also gained full membership into various international associations such as the Global University Network for Innovation (GUNI) based in Barcelona, Spain, the European Association for International Education (EAIE), and the Network Towards Unity for Health located in Maastricht, the Netherlands, among other external affiliations.
Colleges/Faculties
The Faculties and Colleges at the university are top-notch. These include;
- College of Pharmacy
- College of Engineering
- College Arts and Social Sciences
- College of Natural and Applied Sciences
- College of Business and Management studies
- College of Law
- College of Health Sciences
World Ranking: 7,728th best university in the world
Nigerian rank: 66th best university in Nigeria
Bowen University
Bowen University was founded on 17 July 2001 by the Nigeria Baptist Convention, and it is located in Iwo, Osun State. It is the first university created by a church in Nigeria. It has a dual status as a government university and one of Nigeria’s most well-known private universities.
The University strongly emphasises character development and spiritual growth, providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment that encourages intellectual and personal development.
Bowen University is one of the leading private universities in Nigeria, and it has gained recognition nationally and internationally. It is accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and has partnerships with several universities and organizations worldwide.
Colleges/Faculties
- College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science
- College of Social and Management Science
- College of Law
- College of Computing and Communication Studies
- College of Health Sciences
- College of Liberal Studies
- College of Environmental Science
World Ranking: 7,929th best university in the world
Nigerian rank: 70th best university in Nigeria
Bells University of Technology
Bells University of Technology was, formerly known as Bellstec, founded in Nigeria as the first private technological university in the nation. Although it was established in Ogun State in 2004, its operating license was only granted on June 9, 2005.
Bells offers science-based programs that are essential for the country’s technological advancement and their engineering programs are accredited by COREN, the regulatory body for engineering education and practice in Nigeria.
The university is known for its focus on innovation and entrepreneurship and has established partnerships with several local and international institutions to enhance its academic and research activities. The university also provides various support services, including counselling, career services, and student clubs and organizations.
Bells University is a member of the International Association of Universities (IAU), a global association of higher education institutions. The university participates in the IAU’s programs and activities, including research, capacity building, and advocacy. The university is also a corporate member of the NSE and collaborates with the society on research, training, and development programs.
College/Faculties
Bells University has four colleges with different departments, namely:
- College of Engineering
- College of Environmental Science
- College of Management Sciences
- College of Natural and Applied Science
World Ranking: 9,439th best university in the world
Nigerian rank: 91st best university in Nigeria
Afe Babalola University
Afe Babalola University was founded in 2009 by Afe Babalola, a well-known Nigerian Lawyer, who founded the institution and gave it his name. Afe Babalola University is located in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. It has a state-of-the-art teaching hospital.
The main goal is to pioneer educational reform in Nigeria by offering a world-class educational centre of excellence in academics, character, sports, and vocational development. The university has a planetarium which is now open to the public.
ABUAD’s focus on providing holistic education is evident in developing its entrepreneurship and language centres. All students must go through these centres during their study period.
The Entrepreneurship Centre is designed to equip students with high-quality entrepreneurial skills that will enable them to be self-reliant and successful in their chosen fields beyond their course of study in the university. This unique approach to entrepreneurship education prepares students to be innovative and self-sufficient in creating job opportunities for themselves and others.
Similarly, the Language Centre is aimed at training students in at least one local and one foreign language in addition to the English language. This is a response to the increasing globalization of various areas of national life, including labour and employment. By offering language training, ABUAD prepares its students to be competitive in the global job market and to communicate effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
These centres reflect ABUAD’s commitment to providing a well-rounded education that prepares its graduates to be successful in their careers and to make meaningful contributions to society.
Colleges/Faculties
The following colleges are in operation at the university;
- College of Engineering
- College of Social Management, College of Engineering
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences
- College of Law.
World Ranking: 11,824th best university in the world
Nigerian rank: 102nd best university in Nigeria