World University Rankings 2025: ABU, UI, Top List of Best Public Federal Universities in Nigeria
by by Ridwan Adeola · Legit.ng News · Join- Covenant University was listed as Nigeria’s overall best university in Times Higher Education (THE) 2025 Rankings
- However, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Kaduna, claimed the top place in a national league table of public federal universities in the country
- Legit.ng reports that 44 out of Nigeria's 264 universities appeared in the Times Higher Education's latest global ranking
Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering basic and tertiary education in Nigeria and worldwide.
Kaduna, Kaduna state - The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Kaduna, has claimed the top place in a national league table of public federal universities in Nigeria.
Legit.ng reports that ABU is featured in the first position of the Times Higher Education (THE) world rankings (Nigerian public federal universities category).
There are more than 10 federal universities in the ranking list across more than 9 states and different states have a university in the top 10 spots on the list.
Check them out below:
1) Ahmadu Bello University
The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) is a public research university located in Zaria, Kaduna state.
It was opened in 1962 as the University of Northern Nigeria
2) University of Ibadan
The University of Ibadan (UI) is a public research university in Ibadan.
The university was once a college of the University of London. The college was established in 1948 as University College Ibadan, one of many colleges within the University of London.
3) UNILAG
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is a public research university in Lagos, founded in 1962.
UNILAG is one of the first-generation universities in Nigeria.
4) Bayero University, Kano
The Bayero University Kano (BUK) is in Kano, Kano state.
It was founded in 1975 when its name was changed from Bayero University College and upgraded from University College to University. It is the first university in Kano state, North-western Nigeria.
5) FUTA
The Federal University of Technology Akure (informally FUT Akure or simply FUTA) is a federal government-owned university located in Akure, Ondo state.
It was founded in 1981 driven by the federal government to create universities that specialised in producing graduates with practical and theoretical knowledge of technologies.
6) FUT, Minna
Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMinna) is a federal government-owned University located in Minna.
FUT Minna specialises in technological education and offers bachelor's and master's degrees in various technology-inclined fields.
7) UNIBEN
The University of Benin (UNIBEN) is a public research university located in Benin city, Edo state.
UNIBEN is among the universities owned by the FG and was founded in 1970.
8) University of Ilorin
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) is a federal government-owned public research university in Ilorin, Kwara state.
The university's main campus sits on an expansive area of land, about 15,000 hectares in the ancient city of Ilorin; making it the largest university in Nigeria and one of the largest in Africa by landmass.
9) UNN
The University of Nigeria, commonly referred to as UNN, is a federal university located in Nsukka, Enugu state, Eastern part of Nigeria.
The school was founded in 1955 by the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first president of independent Nigeria and a prominent nationalist figure.
10) FUNAAB
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) is one of the higher institutions of learning owned and run by the federal government of Nigeria.
FUNAAB was established on January 1, 1988, by the FG when four universities of technology, earlier merged in 1984, were demerged.
Legit.ng reports that the Times Higher Education World University Rankings are the only global performance tables that judge research-intensive universities across all their core missions: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.
Covenant University emerges overall best in Nigeria
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Covenant University, a private institution in Nigeria, emerged as the country's top university in the Times Higher Education 2025 Rankings.
Covenant University's achievement highlights Nigeria's growing presence in global higher education.