Top Private Universities In Nigeria
Dating back to 1983, when the Supreme Court of Nigeria consented to the institution of private universities in the nation, this was done by granting legal authorization to the administrative head of the Imo State Technical University.
However, after realizing that the aim of the private sector in tertiary education was exclusively for profit, another legal action was instituted to close any existing private institutions and also act as a hindrance to the formation of any new ones by private individuals and corporate establishments.
Soon, it was realized that to achieve the proposed quality of University education in Nigeria and also foster its growth and development, it was going to require a collective effort from private and public institutions, hence, the government embraced the idea of having the private sector own universities.
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It took steps like laying out processes for the establishment of tertiary education and also instituted new legal acts that nullified previous enactments.
And from then, the increase in the number of private institutions in Nigeria has been huge, rising from three universities to seventy-nine today.
However, there exists a general narrative that, “if goods and services are provided at exorbitant rates, then that authenticates its quality”.
As private institutions are not establishments operated by the government but by tuition fees, private investments and philanthropists, their fees are have been very repelling to a large number of people.
This alone has largely questioned the reasons for their establishment, as they are supposed to expand the access to education and in so doing, create a catapult into the socio-economic development for the country.
There are also a lot of questions stemming from the quality of education provided by these institutions, given challenges like inadequate funding, poor implementation of University policies and governance structures, accreditation, etc.
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Also relative to their public counterparts, they have provided little to no impact on the development of the country in terms of research and innovation.
It has also been a common issue regarding accreditation as people complain of being “scammed” by several entities using the name of false private universities.
The National University Commission has made relevant moves to curtail many of these challenges faced these institutions by providing adequate accreditation, structures to support students who can’t afford school fees but meet standard criteria, substantiating conformation to academic standards and quality.
But asides of all these, there are a few private universities that stand out amongst their peers in terms of research and development, academic achievement, sophisticated facilities, etc.
These colleges are even celebrated on an international level given their commitment to education and academic standards.
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Universities such as Covenant University, Babcock University, Bowen University, Redeemer’s University, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, amongst others. These schools are not only striving to achieve higher efficiency in delivering academic duties but also trying to beat world standards, providing both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Standing out as one of the best in Africa and for some, in the world, remains a feat many have accomplished.
Ranging from single complexes to large acres of land, we have about seventy-nine private universities accredited by the National University Commission of Nigeria.
Top Private Universities In Nigeria include
- Covenant University: A Christian school established in 2002, firmly based on moral scruples and standards. Possessed by the Living Faith Church. Having high innovative strength, sound facilities and training systems. Ranked as best in Nigeria in 2015, by Webometrics
- Babcock University: Widely known for its innovative approaches of administration, strive to increase efficiency and academic standards.
- Joseph Ayo Babalola University: Founded by the Christ Apostolic Church in 2004, confirmed and accredited for its high quality and famous entrepreneurial programs
- Bowen University: Belonging to the first church in Nigeria. It can boast of possessing efficient and competent lecturers in the country as a result of its closeness to public institutions like the University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University. It possesses five faculties and a college
- Redeemer’s University: Owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God and was established in 2005. It runs on a collegiate system and offers full undergraduate and postgraduate programs
- Igbinedion University Okada: Standing as the first private institution in Nigeria, established in 1999. The first private university in Nigeria to produce medical doctors in Sub-Saharan Africa amongst other achievements. Also running full undergraduate and postgraduate programs with a capacity of about 5000 students
- The American University of Nigeria, Yola: Standing as the first and only private tertiary institution in Northern Nigeria. Also one of the only two American style university in Sub-Saharan Africa. Owned by Atiku Abubakar.
- Bells University of Technology: The pioneer of technology education at University in Nigeria, established in 2004, in Ogun state. Owned by Olusegun Obasanjo.
- Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti: Known to produce outstanding graduates who have achieved great feats in science and technology and was founded by Afe Babalola, a prominent Lawyer.
- Ajayi Crowther University: Established by the Anglican Communion of Nigeria in 2005, and named after the Bishop, Samuel Ajayi Crowther.
Others include:
- Achiever’s University, Owo
- African University of Science and Technology, Abuja
- Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin
- Al-Qalam University, Kastina
- Augustine University
- Baze University
- Benson Idahosa University, Benin City
- Bingham University, New Karu
- Caleb University, Lagos
- Caritas University, Enugu
- Chrisland University
- Crawford University, Igbesa
- Crescent University
- Edwin Clark University, Kaigbodo
- Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin
- Evangel University, Akaeze
- Fountain University, Oshogbo
- Godfrey Okoye University, Ugwuomu-Nike
- Gregory University, Uturu
- Hallmark University, Ijebi Itele
- Hezekiah University, Umudi
- Kings University, Ode Umu
- Kwararafa University, Wukari
- Landmark University, Omu-Aran
- Lead City University, Ibadan
- Madonna University, Okija
- McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo
- Micheal and Cecelia Ibru University
- Mountain Top University
- Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja
- Novena University, Ogume
- Obong University, Obong Ntak
- Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu
- Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos
- Paul University, Awka, etc.
