List of all 50 federal universities in Nigeria (ranked best to worst)

The distinctive difference between federal and state universities is in the funding and administration of the institutions. The federal government through the Ministry of Education runs and finances the federal universities. However, the states are the main sources of funding for state universities. Often, this becomes the reason why there are more financial resources allocated to the federal than the state which in most cases leads to better facilities, resources and education in general as compared to state universities.

Also, state universities place federal students who come from outside the states through higher tuition fees than normal federal universities still state residents. This pecuniary disadvantage is responsible for a majority of the applicants to the state colleges not wishing to study at such institutions, leading to the status of the lower fee option being captured by the federal universities.

Another notable merit that comes with federal universities is that they can establish campuses in various states which is not possible with state-owned universities. It would be recalled that the federal government operates a policy of even distribution of federal universities in the country, and as such, there appears to be at least one federal university in every state, including the capital. This ensures that various people from different geographical areas can attend these federal universities and make the learning experience of everyone in these universities richer.

With the distinction between Federal and state universities highlighted above, let's rank all federal universities in Nigeria from best to worst while reviewing some frequently asked questions about federal universities.

The Nigeria Police Academy, a federal institution, is the cheapest university in Nigeria since its tuition costs are free.

Some Nigeria Police Academy students get compensated for enrolling in the school, making it a popular option for the impoverished Nigerian populace.

Is Federal University better than a state university?

The distinction between federal and state universities is that federal universities are maintained by the federal government via the Ministry of Education, whereas state universities are supported by the states in which they are situated. As a result, federal institutions get better financing than their state counterparts.

State universities have much higher tuition fees than federal universities and are considerably more costly for non-natives of the state.

Having campuses in more than one state, which is not feasible for state universities, is a distinct asset of federal universities. As mentioned above, the federal government maintains and distributes federal universities among all Nigerian states, with at least one in each.

In Nigeria, federal universities have a greater reputation, so a federal degree is more distinguished than a state university degree.

Federal universities in Nigeria offer the greatest academics and attract the most talented students. In addition, diverse cultures, languages, and religions are present in federal universities, thereby training students for the ideal life.

In terms of admissions and appointments, federal universities are intended to promote national character, which is seldom seen at state universities. In a typical federal university, you will find students and faculty from areas other than the institution's location.

In addition, entrance to a federal university is substantially more difficult than admission to a state university, resulting in a degree with, by all accounts, much more value. This enhances the reputation of federal universities compared to state universities.

In conclusion, federal universities tend to have higher standards, employ more professors, enrol more students and are ranked higher by employment organisations than state universities, opening the doors to Nigeria's highest paying jobs.

Which state has the most federal universities?

Kaduna is the state with the most federal universities in Nigeria. Three federal universities are spread over the 46,053 km² land mass, the fourth largest in Nigeria, namely:

1. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
2. Nigerian Defence Academy
3. Air Force Institute of Technology

Which universities are not under ASUU?

Private universities are not under the aegis of ASUU. The Academic Staff Union of Institutions, or ASUU, governs all public universities, whether federal or state. As a result, all public universities in Nigeria are susceptible to the sporadic strikes that have plagued academic institutions for decades.

However, it is common knowledge that public universities, under the state government's direction, can avoid similar strikes via successful discussions.

In 2022, state institutions like LASU, DELSU, LASUSTECH, and LASUED withdrew from the devastating ASUU year-long strike.

Contrary to erroneous information on the Internet, DELSU is affiliated with ASUU.

Are federal universities cheaper than state universities?

Due to increased support from federal government agencies, federal institutions are more affordable than state universities. Some federally-run universities even go so far as to offer free education. 

How many federal universities are in Nigeria??

As of 2023, there are 50 registered federal universities in Nigeria.

Do federal universities pay tuition fees?

Yes, all students in federal universities are required to pay tuition. However, tuition fees in federal universities are cheap since the Nigerian government subsidises a portion of the cost of education at federal institutions.

Which university is the safest in Nigeria?

The majority of private universities are usually safe. Private universities are safer than public universities since they are often more residential and have less contact with their host towns.

In addition, functioning CCTV networks are available in private universities, which can only aid in preventing the illegal violations that afflict state and federal universities.

Universities whose entrances are not immediately linked to roadways are also often safer. Typically, smaller universities are safer than bigger ones because operatives can easily distinguish between students and outsiders.