30 Top Private Universities in Nigeria 2022
– Private Universities in Nigeria –
Are you an aspiring student who wishes to enroll in any private University in Nigeria? This article will provide you with a list of the 30 top private universities in Nigeria to help you make your choice.
Pastors and private individuals own the majority of Nigeria’s private universities. This means that governments do not operate nor own private universities.
Although the government may and often receive tax breaks, public student loans, and grants. Private universities may be subject to government regulation. Also, many private universities are nonprofit organizations.
Having said that, let’s get to know the top private universities in Nigeria you can enrol in.
List of Top Private Universities in Nigeria
Here is the list of the top 30 private universities in Nigeria:
1. Covenant University
Covenant University is the top private university in Nigeria because it has the most standard facilities among all the private schools. The university is in Canaan land, Ota, Ogun State.
Covenant University is a Christian and disciplined private university owned by the Living Faith Church. Dr, David Oyedepo who is currently the university’s Chancellor and Professor Abiodun Humphrey Adebayo, is the Vice-Chancellor.
The university has beautiful structures and a comfortable reading environment for its students. Interestingly, It has a well-equipped medical centre to treat its students and is conducive for learning health-related courses.
Also, Covenant University has four faculties currently, these four faculties dispense quality education. The National University Commission has granted the university accreditation.
School Fees: ₦432,000
2. Babcock University
Babcock University is the second top private university in Nigeria. The Seventh-day Adventist Church owns this Christian private institution.
The University was set up in April 1999 in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. Interestingly, the university was named after an American missionary, David C. Babcock.
Babcock University has produced many notable personalities, which include famous Nigerian musician Davido, the popular Nigerian actor Olumide Oworu, and the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly Debo Ogundoyin.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has also accredited the university, indicating that it has met the university’s standards.
It is the among the top private universities because they have a good and conducive environment for learning. They have standard facilities like hostels, lecture rooms, and labs. The University has nine faculties with different departments in its school.
School Fees: ₦800,000
3. Joseph Ayo Babalola University
Joseph Ayo Babalola University is the third top private university currently in Nigeria. It is located between Ipo Arakeji and Ikeji-Arakeji in Osun State, Nigeria.
This university was set up by the Christ Apostolic Church in 2004 and was named after Christ Apostolic Church’s spiritual leader. However, the university is the first entrepreneurial university in Nigeria.
Also, the university’s goals are to bring out moral regeneration, godliness, selfless leadership, a positive attitude to work, and mutual understanding and love among ethnic, tribal, and religious groups.
School Fees: ₦436,000
4. Bowen University
Bowen University is a Baptist Christian Nigerian university that is owned by the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
The major foundation of Bowen University was first laid in the year 1954 before its establishment on 17 July 2001 by the Nigerian Baptist Convention. The university is at Iwo in Osun State, Nigeria.
The university is the first Baptist university in Africa. According to the school’s objectives, it aimed to assist people in developing their potential to the fullest.
It is equipped with top-notch facilities including a health care facility, laboratory, etc. Also, NUC recognizes the university as an institution that dispenses with standard and quality education in Nigeria.
School Fees: ₦350, 000
5. Redeemer’s University
Redeemer’s University is among the top private universities in Nigeria. It is controlled by the General Overseer of the Redeem Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
It was established in 2005 in Ede, Osun State, following the university’s approval by the Nigerian Federal Government.
Interestingly, Redeemer’s University has produced twelve sets of graduates since 2005. Also, The Redeemer’s University has gained many achievements in the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases.
These achievements include the first accurate diagnosis of Ebola cases in Sierra Leone and Nigeria in the year 2014 EVD outbreak. Also, the university discovered two novels about highly divergent rhabdovirus Ekpoma in Nigeria.
Additionally, it provided tools and training for disease diagnosis, sequencing and bioinformatics, and many more.
School Fees: ₦500,000
6. Igbinedion University
The Igbinedion University was the first private university established in Nigeria in the year 1999. It is located at Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, in Edo State.
The university was founded by Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, who is a well-known Benin chief. The Igbinedion University has seven different faculties, with various departments.
According to the university, its sole aim is to pursue excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship by providing world-class facilities and opportunities for education, training, and employment.
Also, it encourages research and outreach programs. It promotes discipline, emphasizes entrepreneurship, and manages resources effectively to achieve these aims.
The private university has produced 10,000 graduates from undergraduate and post-graduate since its invention in 1999.
School Fees: ₦460,000
7. American University of Nigeria, Yola
The American University of Nigeria was launched in 2004 by the former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
The private university is in Yola, Nigeria. Interestingly, It is the first American university in Sub-Saharan Africa hence the name.
The American University of Nigeria (AUN) has five faculties with different departments in its school. The University focuses on the practical roles a great university must play in developing a great nation and continent.
Also, according to the American University of Nigeria (AUN), its objective is to become a great centre of learning and research for all Nigerian students.
School Fees: N1,590,000
8. Afe Babalola University
Afe Babalola University was founded by Afe Babalola, in 2009 he named the university after his name. It is located in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
It is also a high-rated private university with a teaching hospital for medical students. Also, the University has six faculties with different departments.
The University stated that its vision is to lead education reform in Nigeria by providing a world-class educational center of excellence in academics, character, and sports.
School Fees: ₦1,492,750
9. Landmark University
Landmark University is a Christian private university that is affiliated with the Living Faith Church. It is under World Mission Agency. The university is a Christian mission organisation founded by Rev, Dr David Oyedepo.
Landmark’s objectives are to raise a generation of solution providers through a qualitative and life-applicable training system.
Also, the university focuses on value and creative knowledge. And to raise a new generation of leaders through a broad-based qualitative education built on sound biblical principles.
They aim to raise an army of reformers who shall redeem the battered image of the black race and restore her lost glory as these well-equipped graduates build on the country.
School Fees: ₦491,000
10. Bells University of Technology
The Bells University of Technology formerly known as Bellstech is the first private university of technology established in Nigeria. It is located in Ogun State and was given an operating license on June 9, 2005.
Also, Bells University has four different colleges in its school with various departments.
The vision of the university is to become a world-renowned university committed to the development and transformation of society through environmentally friendly technology and other innovations.
School Fees: ₦350,000
11. Achievers University, Owo
The university, which was founded in 2007 and is accredited by the National Universities Commission is a private-sector venture. It is located in Owo’s Idasen community.
The institution arose from the Achievers Group of Education and Training Organization, which is owned and controlled by Hon. (Dr.) Bode Ayorinde and is based in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
However, the university is currently held by Hon. (Dr.) Bode Ayorinde and 90 other shareholders, including Chief (Mrs.) Toyin Olakunri, Senator T. O. Olupitan, and Senator Kolawole (Late).
Also, Achievers University owo, began academic activity in the 2007–2008 academic year and as of 2021, has graduated ten classes of students.
School Fees: ₦420,000
12. Adeleke University, Ede
Adeleke University is a private university in Osun State, Nigeria’s southwest. The university was formed in 2011 and was named after Dr Adeleke, the founder of the Springtime Development Foundation.
He intended to create a university that would help people develop their minds and character.
The university accepts students from all around. Adeleke University offers Bachelor’s and Pre-Bachelor degrees in agriculture, engineering, arts and social sciences, science and technology, and law.
Also, its admissions process is not as competitive. The university provides housing and other facilities such as a library, good college buildings, a cafeteria, and so on.
School Fees: ₦350,000
13. Admiralty University, Ibusa Delta State
The Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN) is a private Nigerian university that provides a variety of undergraduate programs. The university is in Delta State Nigeria, in the town of Ibusa.
The Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN) aspires to blend Nigerian know-how and dynamism with foreign facilities and cutting-edge laboratories.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has formally certified and recognized the Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN).
School Fees: ₦200,000
14. Legacy university
Legacy University is a private Nigerian university that provides a variety of undergraduate programs. The university lies in the Anambra State town of Okija.
The institution’s purpose is to be a top-ranked university with excellent academic programs that fulfil all of liberal education’s promises of knowledge, skills, character, freedom, and truth.
The university also has faculties with several departments.
School Fees: ₦250,000
15. African University of Science and Technology
The first of the Nelson Mandela Institutions is the African University of Science and Technology (AUST). It was founded in 2007 as a centre of excellence in science and technology with an emphasis on African development in Abuja, Nigeria.
However, since its founding, the AUST has graduated five batches of MSc students and one batch of PhD students in five areas
Also, the African Scientific Committee (ASC) and the International Scientific Advisory Board oversee the AUST. In addition, it is governed by the NMI and AUST Boards and advised by an interdisciplinary team who are members of the African Scientific Committee (ASC) and the International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB).
School Fees: ₦350,000
16. Ajayi Crowther University, Ibadan
The Supra Diocesan Board (West) of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) created the Ajayi Crowther University which has its roots in the defunct CMS training institution in Abeokuta and the defunct St. Andrews College in Oyo.
However, the University was founded in Abeokuta in 1853 as the CMS Training Institution, from which it later transferred to Lagos (1868 to 1896).
However, the College’s ownership moved from CMS, London, to the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). The government took over the authority and administration of all schools in the Nigerian Federation in 1977, and the Church of Nigeria lost its ownership of the College.
Interestingly, the involvement of the St. Andrews College Old Boys Association (SACOBA) and by extension, the church in the growth and development of St. Andrews, did not wane.
Because of SACOBA’s petition, the former Oyo State Government upgraded the institution to an NCE campus in 1980, and then to a full-fledged College of Education in 1985.
School fees: ₦500,000
17. Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin
Al-Hikmah Institution is a Nigerian Islamic university in the city of Ilorin, Kwara State. It was founded in 2005 by the Nigerian AbdulRaheem Oladimeji Islamic Foundation (AROIF) and the Jeddah-based World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY).
The University came into existence via granting of an Operating License to run as a Conventional Private University by the Federal Government of Nigeria License No. 010 on 7 January 2005.
However, it began academic activities during the 2005/2006 academic session with 70 students spread across the three take-off Colleges: Humanities, Management Science.
The aim of Al-Hikmah University is to be a centre of intellectual and moral excellence.
School Fees: ₦350,000
18. Al-Qalam University, Katsina
Al-Qalam University, Katsina (AUK) is an islamic universities, formerly Katsina University is located at Dutsinma Road, Kaduna State. It is Nigeria’s first private Islamic institution, having opened in 2005.
The University’s six schools/colleges include the College of Social and Management Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, College of Education, College of Humanities, College of Postgraduate Studies, and School of Basic and Remedial Studies.
School Fees: ₦100,000–N200,000
19. Anchor University Ayobo, Lagos State
The Anchor University is a private Christian university owned by the Deeper Christian Life Ministry. The university is in Ayobo, Ipaja, Lagos State, Nigeria’s southwestern region. This university also has a branch campus in Mowe.
Anchor University, Lagos (AUL) is a small co-educational Nigerian higher education institution nominally linked with the Christian-Evangelical religion. It is officially recognized by the National Universities Commission of Nigeria.
Anchor University, Lagos (AUL) provides courses and programs that lead to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor’s degrees in a variety of fields.
School Fees: ₦190,000
20. Arthur Javis University, Cross River State
Calabar’s Margaret Ekpo International Airport is less than 20 minutes away from Arthur Jarvis University. The peaceful atmosphere and natural surroundings are ideal for teaching and learning.
Arthur Jarvis University offers excellent hostel and staff quarters, as well as conducive full multimedia lecture rooms. Interestingly, it has a standard library, adequate campus security, well-furnished offices, a state-of-the-art ICT facility, and other essential amenities.
School Fees: ₦325,000
21. Lead City University, Ibadan
Lead City Institution is a private university in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The Eduserve Consult established the university in 2005.
Lead City University is a Christian institution with a diverse student population.
The institution provides degree programs in a variety of disciplines, including science, social science, management, education, and engineering.
Although the university has a good student population, it has a small staff. The university also offers housing to its students, as well as a library and a well-established campus.
School fees: ₦550,500
22. Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja
Nile University of Nigeria (NILE) is a private multidisciplinary university in Abuja, Nigeria. Interestingly, the school membership includes the Honoris United Universities Network.
Also, National Universities Commission approved institutions. The University comprises six faculties and a School of Postgraduate Studies, with 34 undergraduate and 47 postgraduate programs to choose from.
The Nile University of Nigeria, through its Center for Lifelong Learning (CELL), offers short, on-demand professional courses. These courses meet the needs of participants besides their conventional academic programs.
The Nile University joined the Honoris United Universities Network in the year 2020, joining Carthage University, ESPRIT, and Université Mundiapolis as one of the 14 member universities.
Nile University also agreed to collaborate with the Ministry of Science and Technology in March 2021.
School Fees: ₦341,500
23. Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos
The Lagos Business School (LBS) laid its foundation in 1991. In 2002, the federal government designated the university as a Pan-African University, with the LBS serving as its inaugural school.
Also, the university launched the Virtual Museum of Modern Nigerian Art in September 2011, a website designed by Jess Castellote, a Spanish architect, that features over 400 works by 81 artists,
These works include pioneering Nigerian artists like Aina Onabolu and Bruce Onobrakpeya, as well as emerging artists like Richardson Ovbiebo and Babalola Lawson.
In May 2013, it was renamed Pan-Atlantic University to avoid confusion with the Pan-African University of the African Union.
School Fees: ₦300,000
24. Baze University
Baze University is a private academic college in Abuja, Nigeria. Founded in 2011, it is one of Nigeria’s top private universities, providing higher-level standard education of British quality.
In 2011, the National Universities Commission (NUC) accredited the institution and granted it a provisional license on March 7th of that year.
However, academic activity began with a single building housing personnel and 17 students on the 50,000 sqm complex.
The Administrative Block, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Computing & Applied Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, and Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences were all built shortly after.
Interestingly, in the year 2021 the University Teaching Hospital built its project and finished it the same year. There is already a library, a staff housing complex, and a students’ hostel with two blocks for males and ladies, each with a capacity of 500 students.
The University has held six Convocation Ceremonies in a row and has produced graduates in a variety of fields.
School Fees: ₦500,000
25. Veritas University
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria established Veritas University Abuja (VUNA), commonly known as the Catholic University of Nigeria, through a resolution passed at its March 2002 meeting in Abuja.
Interestingly, the initiative arose from the desire of the attending Bishops to establish a university that would give high-quality higher education in the Catholic Church’s heritage.
The National Universities Commission granted the institution a temporary operating license in 2007. Also, it began accepting students in October 2008 at its take-off campus in Obehie, Abia State, Nigeria.
However, It moved to its permanent location in 2014, with its campus currently in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Abuja.
The University stresses moral principles, self-reliance, and the development of students’ entrepreneurial ability for the graduates’ and Nigerian society’s social and economic gain.
School Fees: ₦450,000
26. Clifford University
Clifford University is a private Christian co-educational Nigerian university. The school belongs by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The institution is in the Nigerian town of Ihie, in the state of Abia.
However, Clifford University rests on land that once belongs to an Adventist school. This was before the confiscation by the government following the country’s civil war in 1967–70. In 2013, the government returned the land to the church.
The National Universities Commission of Nigeria has formally approved and acknowledged the university.
Clifford University offers a variety of courses and programs that lead to officially recognized higher education degrees, such as bachelor’s degrees, in a variety of fields.
School Fees: ₦480,000
27. Skyline University Nigeria
Skyline University is a Private University in Kano, Nigeria established in the year 2018. It offers a wide range of undergraduate programs.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) of Nigeria has officially certified and recognized Skyline University Nigeria.
School Fees: ₦539,000
28. Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu–Osun State
Oduduwa University is a private higher education institution in Ipetumodu, Osun state, founded in 2009. Interestingly, the school name is after Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba people.
The National Universities Commission of Nigeria formally recognized and allowed the university as a higher education institution.
Also, Oduduwa University offer courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study.
School Fees: ₦200,000 – ₦300,000
29. Caleb University, Lagos
Caleb University is a Christian private university that was founded in 2007. It is based in Lagos State, Nigeria’s and West Africa’s most economically prosperous state. The National Universities Commission has approved it..
The university provides its students with the theoretical and practical skills they need to succeed in the job market, allowing them to benefit themselves and their country.
The university provides a variety of degrees in Science and Technology, as well as Arts, Social Sciences, and Management. It comprises students from all ethnic origins, although the majority of them are Christians.
The university provides housing for its students, as well as a reliable supply of energy and a well-developed road network.
School Fees: ₦505,000
30. Southwestern University, Oku Owa
Southwestern University is based in Ogun State, founded in 2012 and in Nigeria’s south-western region.
The university has instilled excellence and character in its students. It also encourages students to become entrepreneurs in a variety of fields and industries. In addition, the university’s dedication is educating morally sound students.
Also, Southwestern University is a non-denominational university that promotes student diversity by admitting students from all religions and cultural backgrounds.
The institution provides bachelor’s degrees in a variety of fields, including science, technology, the arts, social and management sciences, and more.
Compared to other private institutions in Ogun State and public universities in Nigeria, admission to this university is not competitive.
School Fees: ₦398,000
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are private universities regulated by the state?
No, the state or state Government do not regulate them.
2. What is the age limit for entrance into university?
You must be 16 years above.
3. Which university is the best in Nigeria?
If you are picking a federal university, you can go to the University of Ibadan (UI).
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