Gone are the days in Nigeria, where earning a degree was a far-fetched option, as in today’s Nigeria, earning a good income is primarily based on the worth of one’s degree. The worth of a person’s degree has to do with the class of degree, the course, the school, the school’s influence, and a host of silent factors no one likes to talk about.
With the motivation to get a degree in Nigeria, there are a host of external factors that shatter the dreams of many young Nigerians and put a time lag on their years, one major factor which is STRIKE. To this effect, a lot of Nigerians who can afford to send their wards to a Private University sacrifice it, while others who cannot afford it either take scholarship examinations or settle for a public or state university.
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. And only one Nigerian private University is found on this list, Covenant University. But according to the Webometrics ranking of world Universities, there are some top private Universities on this list, and some of them have made it to this list.
Nonetheless, this is not to say that private Universities do not come with their own troubles, but at the end of the day when you weigh the troubles, you pick the lesser trouble. On today’s list, we are going to be listing the Top Ten Private Universities in Nigeria. So, if you have just written JAMB and unsure of what school to go to, or you are just looking for where to further your education at the tertiary level in Nigeria, relax let us guide your hands.
Here are the top private universities in Nigeria 2020:
1. Covenant University
Starting operations on the 21st, October 2002 in Ota, Ogun State under the ownership and guidance of the founder of Living Faith Church (Bishop David Oyedepo) this University is no doubt one of the best in Nigeria. Popularly known for its thorough rules and regulations which guides the entire community- staff and students, infrastructure, learning environment, accolades this University is the only Nigerian University found in the top 500 Universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and is also on track on its way to becoming one of the top ten Universities in the world by the year 2022, with its spiritual mandate. According to Webometrics ranking, Covenant University is considered the third best University in Nigeria and the Best Private University in Nigeria. The University has 4 colleges namely: College of Engineering (COE), College of Science and Technology (CST), College of Leadership and Development Studies (CBSS), and College of Business and Social Sciences (CBSS).
2. American University of Nigeria
Coming second on this list, is this list is the University founded by Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice-President of Nigeria who founded and established it in 2005. Looking at its name, it is safe to say that the style of teaching and learning is based on the American system of Education and is the second of its kind in Africa. This University is a member of the Association of American International Colleges and Universities. The school is made up of three schools/colleges namely: School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Entrepreneurship, and School of Information Technology and Communications. Webometrics ranks AUN among the top 3 private universities in Nigeria.
3. Babcock University
Babcock University is a church-owned University, by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, this University ranks as the third-best in Nigeria. This University is popularly known by young people in Nigeria for various reasons and is also located in Ogun State, Nigeria. But in the academic world, Babcock University is known for its high moral standards and rules which align with the belief of its founding church, use of technological advancement to aid teaching and learning processes, and innovative way of administering academics. Babcock is made up of 9 schools and 1 college namely: School of Basic & Applied Science, School of Computing & Engineering Sciences, School of Nursing, School of Education and Humanities, School of Law & Security Studies, School of Agriculture & Industrial Technology, School of Public & Applied Health, School of Postgraduate Studies and, College of Health and Medical Sciences.
4. Landmark University
Also established under the guidance and leadership of the founder of Living Faith Worldwide- Bishop David Oyedepo, this University began official operations in March 2011 and is located in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria. It was established to function as a change for agricultural discourse in Nigeria, and it is made of 3 colleges namely: College of Agricultural Sciences, College of Science and Engineering and, College of Business and Social Sciences.
5. Redeemers University
Another faith-based church on the list of founders is Redeemed Christian Church of God. This University was established in 2005. Its initial location was Ogun State, Nigeria but the University permanently moved its location to Osun State in 2014. The school is made up of about 2,000 students cutting across 3 colleges namely: College of Management Science, College of Humanities, College of Natural Science, and it also runs a postgraduate school. According to Webometrics, it is ranked sixth on the list of best private universities in Nigeria.
6. Afe Babalola University
Popularly known for its reputation in churning out a large number of lawyers from its gates, this University has ranked as the sixth-best private University in Nigeria. Founded by one of Nigeria’s renowned lawyers, Afe Babalola in 2009, in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, and 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.
7. Joseph Ayo Babalola University
This is a private university owned by the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Osun State, Nigeria, and was founded in 2004. The name was coined from the first spiritual leader of the Christ Apostolic Church, Joseph Ayo Babalola, and has since then climbed the academic ladder in Nigeria. The University is widely known for its enthusiasm in imbibing in its students the importance of Entrepreneurship, which has been confirmed by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The University is made up of colleges namely: College of Natural Science, Management Science, Law, Environmental Science.
8. Pan-Atlantic University
This University was founded in 2002, and its name was changed several times until 2013 when it was given its present name. This University is the infant child of the Lagos Business School (LBS), a popular graduate school in Lagos. The University was established based on the teachings of a Spanish Roman Catholic Priest, who believes that an ordinary life can lead to sanctity and everyone on earth should be holy and dedicated to God.
9. Bowen University
Located in Iwo, Osun State, this University is popularly known because it is founded by the first church in Nigeria, the Baptist Church of Nigeria in July 2001. The University is located close to Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ibadan and boasts of 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.
10. Bells University of Technology
This University was established by the former Head of State and former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004 and it is located in Ota, Ogun State a few minutes away from Covenant University. The University has 3 colleges namely: College of Natural and Applied Science, College of Management Science, College of Environmental Sciences.
That is our list of the best private universities in Nigeria. Please feel free to drop your feedback in the comment section below.
I haven’t heard about American university of Nigeria and pan Atlantic university before. Thanks for the information
Thank you Funmi. Good to know that this was useful.
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