in Nigeria in 2023
The establishment of private institutions in Nigerian higher education is traced to 1979 during the civilian government era. Prior to this time, higher institutions in Nigeria were owned and run by the government.
Many of the private schools established starting in 1979 did not quite meet the set standard, thus, the government abolished these private universities then and approved the establishment of new ones.
In line with actions to resuscitate private higher education, alongside problems associated with admission into the higher institution, the Federal government revoked Decree 19 of 1984 which paved way for the re-emergence of private universities- establishment of 3 private universities (Babcock, Madonna, and Igbinedion) in 1999.
Since then, private universities have continued to grow in quantity and quality in Nigeria.
Today, some of the best universities in Nigeria are privately owned with many others improving their offerings to meet global standards. Many Nigerian parents now opt for private universities instead of public schools even though it would cost them an arm and a leg.
If you are a Nigerian parent considering the option of a private university in Nigeria for your child, below is a list of some of the best private universities in Nigeria in 2023 from which you could choose.
See Also: Best universities to study economic in Nigeria
This list is curated based on the available data of Nigerian private universities rankings across the web and is in no particular order.
Best private universities in Nigeria in 2023
1. Covenant University, Ota
No doubt, Covenant University has a track record of being one of the best destinations of learning in Nigeria.
The University is a growing, dynamic vision-driven University, founded on a Christian mission ethos and committed to pioneering excellence at the cutting edge of learning. The school was founded in 2002.
In recent years, CU has ranked as one of the best universities in Nigeria, many overtaking public universities that have been established for decades.
In 2021, Covenant ranked 401 - 600 in THE SDGs Impact Rankings to Emerge First in Nigeria.
Covenant ranked the best Nigerian university in Global Subject Rankings in 2021.
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The school has 23 departments and 4 colleges including Engineering, Science and Technology, Management and Social Sciences, Leadership and Development Studies, Postgraduate Studies, etc.
2. Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti is another fastest-growing university in Nigeria any student should consider.
The school was founded to reform functional education in Nigeria and Africa at large by providing and leading others in quality education, service, industry, and character as well as discipline. The school was founded in 2009 by renowned lawyer and Philanthropist, Afe Bablola.
In recent years, Afe Babalola has grown to become one of the best universities in Nigeria surpassing in offerings and standards, many publicly owned universities in Nigeria.
Since its establishment, the school has ranked as one of the best private universities in Nigeria.
Afe Babalola University offers Academic programs in six Colleges: Sciences, Law, Engineering, Social and Management Sciences, Medicine and Health Sciences, and Postgraduate Studies. AFUAD is one of the leading private universities in Nigeria in 2023.
3. Landmark University Omu-Aran
Landmark University is one of the leading private universities in Nigeria in 2023. The school is affiliated with the Living Faith Church Worldwide.
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The school was founded in 2011 in Omu-Aran Kwara State.
The university encourages its students to venture into agriculture whether it is their core discipline or not and encourages the enrollment of Nigerian students into Agriculture-related courses through scholarships and Career talks.
Landmark University runs academic programmes such as the College of Agricultural Sciences, College of Business and Social Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, etc.
In recent years, the school has proven its dedication to research and contributions to academia and Nigerian society and large, hence, they rank as one of the best private universities in Nigeria in 2023.
4. Babcock University Ilishan-Remo
Babcock University is another good choice to consider talking about the best private schools in Nigeria.
Babcock University is a private Christian co-educational Nigerian university owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria.
The university was officially inaugurated on 20 April 1999. It started with four schools but it has added medical school, post-graduate studies, and others schools since then.
Some of their notable alumni include Adenike Akinsemolu, Davido, Debo Ogundoyin, Olumide Oworu, Beverly Osu, Olamide Samuel, and others.
Based on their contributions to research and student performance, Babcock ranks as one of the best private universities in Nigeria in 2023.
5. American University of Nigeria, Yola
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The American University of Nigeria (AUN) is a private university located in Yola the capital of Adamawa, Nigeria. It offers an American-style liberal arts higher education at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels.
The university was founded in 2003 by Atiku Abubakar as the first American-style institution of higher learning in sub-Saharan Africa. It consists of six schools, offering various undergraduate majors and graduate programs.
Throughout their four years, students are encouraged to volunteer actively in any of the regular, extracurricular outings and work with organizations in the community, including schools, health clinics, community associations, and the local government.
The school boasts of a world-class learning environment and the students are immersed in lifelong learning culture.
AUN ranks as one of the leading private universities in Nigeria in 2023.
Best private universities in Nigeria in 2023
6. Skyline University, Kano
Skyline University also made the list as a top private university in Nigeria to reckon with.
The school was established in 2018 as the first private University in Kano, Nigeria, and also the second private University in the North-West region of Nigeria.
From the establishment of the new institution in 2018, Skyline University Nigeria has grown into 3 different faculties with departments attached to the faculties. The faculties are the School of Science and Information Technology, School of Arts, Management and Social Science, and School of Basic Medical Sciences.
Skyline University is one of the fastest-growing universities in Nigeria and has shown great potential for contributing significantly towards research and knowledge in Nigeria.
The school ranks as one of the best private universities in Nigeria in 2023.
7. Bowen University, Iwo
Bowen University is another top private university in Nigeria owned and operated by the Nigerian Baptist Convention. The university is located at Iwo in Osun State, Nigeria.
The school has College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science (COAES), College of Management and Social Sciences (COMSS), College of Law (COLAW), College of Liberal Studies (COLBS), College of Health Sciences (COHES), College of Computing and Communication Studies (COCCS), and College of Environmental Sciences (COEVS).
Bowen ranks as one of the oldest and leading private universities in Nigeria.
8. Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos
Located in the prestigious city of Lagos, Pan-Atlantic University had its origin as the Lagos Business School (LBS), established in 1991. The federal government approved the university as Pan-African University in 2002, and the LBS became its first school.
The Ajah Campus was completed in 2003 and in 2010 work began on the Ibeju-Lekki campus.
In May 2013 its name was changed to Pan-Atlantic University, in order to avoid confusion with the Pan-African University of the African Union.
The university has graduated some of the leading figures in politics, entertainment and all works of life. The Pan-Atlantic university is one of the best private universities in Nigeria in 2023.
9. Caleb University, Imota
Caleb University is a private university located in Imota Lagos Nigeria. They commenced full activities on January 21, 2008.
The university is a centre for teaching, learning and research persistently ranked as one of the top 10 private universities in Nigeria.
The university embraces innovations and transforms ideas into actions. Since its inception in 2007, the school has been investing in people with the curiosity, drive, passion, and empathy to positively impact their environment while also being globally competitive.
Caleb is arguably one of the best private universities in Nigeria in 2023.
10. Elizade University, Ilaramokin
Another good private university in Nigeria you can consider for your child is Elizade University. The school has a large, beautiful and serene environment in the heart of Ilara in Ondo State.
Elizade university was founded by Micheal Ade Ojo, a Nigerian business magnate.
The university has five faculties which are e Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Law, and Faculty of Humanities. It has twenty-four departments in these facilities altogether.
Best private universities in Nigeria in 2023
11. Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin
We can’t complete this list without mentioning Al-Hikmah University. The school is a top Islamic-oriented private university located in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The school was established in 2005 with the goal of being a centre of intellectual and moral excellence.
The university has several Faculties which are spread across two campuses (Ilorin and Igbaja) in Kwara State.
The school ranks as one of the best private universities in Nigeria in 2023.
12. Nile University, Abuja
Also taking a spot in the list of the best private universities in Nigeria is Nile University.
Nile University of Nigeria is a private multidisciplinary university established in 2009 and located in Abuja, Nigeria.
The school is a member of the Honoris United Universities Network and accredited by the National Universities Commission.
Nile University has six faculties and a School of Postgraduate Studies offering 34 undergraduate programs and 47 postgraduate programs.
In addition to its standard academic programs, Nile University of Nigeria—through its Centre for Lifelong Learning (CELL)— offers short, on-demand, professional courses that are tailored to the needs of the participants.
13. Veritas University, Abuja
Veritas University was founded in March 2002 by the Catholic Church in Nigeria. The school received it provisional operation license in 2007 from the National Universities Commission and commenced admission of students in October 2008, at its take-off campus in Obehie, Abia State, Nigeria.
In 2014, it moved to its permanent site with its campus now located in the Bwari Area council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria.
The University emphasizes moral values, self-reliance, and the development of the students’ entrepreneurial capabilities for the social and economic benefit of the graduates and Nigerian society.
The university is one of the best private universities in Nigeria today.
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14. African University of Science and Technology
One of the best private universities in Nigeria today is The African University of Science and Technology (AUST).
The school is an undergraduate and post-graduate university that is part of a university system concept developed by the Nelson Mandela Institution (NMI).
The university caters for over 5,000 students who mostly reside in Abuja and its environs.
The university offers series of programs which are five major disciplinary areas: Computer Science and Management of Information Technology, Material Science and Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Pure, Applied Mathematics, Space and Aerospace Sciences and Engineering as well as its first foray into applied Social Sciences with master's degree in Public Administration and Public Policy.
15. Redeemers University, Ede
Also making the list is Redeemers University, a private university located in Ede, Osun state, Nigeria.
The university was established in 2005, owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
The university runs both undergraduate and posprogramsprogrammes. Undergraduate programmes started at inception in 2005 with three colleges. They were the College of Natural Sciences, College of Management and Social Sciences, and College of Humanities.
In the 2012–2013 academic year, the university admitted its first set of M.A., M.Sc., and Ph.D. students. So far, the university has produced 12 sets of graduates as of November 2020.
The school also remains a top private university in Nigeria in 2023.
