Top 10 best private universities in Nigeria

Nigerians have experienced many educational setbacks due to the federal government's inability to fund the country's educational sector to a maximum level.

Even though there are many setbacks from the federal government, some of the federal universities have done well in imparting knowledge to students.

Some private universities have also raised the standard of education in Nigeria, and most of them have been ranked as one of the best universities in Nigeria.

Individuals from different states in Nigeria have helped build these private universities that have helped improve the Nigerian education system.

They have promoted education to a higher level and helped reduce the high unemployment rate in Nigeria by providing job opportunities for lecturers.

Let us look at Nigeria's top 10 private universities, locations, structures, and courses.

1. Redeemer’s University Nigeria

Redeemer's University Nigeria, controlled by General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God and one of the world's richest pastors, is the #1 best private university in Nigeria in 2021.

It was established in 2005 in Ede, Osun State, following the university's approval by the Federal Government of Nigeria. At the time of writing, Redeemer's University Nigeria has produced 7000+ graduates since its establishment in 2005. It was also ranked as the second-best university in Nigeria in 2021.

The Redeemer's University Nigeria has many achievements in the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, including:

1. First accurate diagnosis of Ebola cases in Sierra Leone and Nigeria in the 2014 EVD outbreak
2. Discovered two highly novels divergent rhabdovirus Ekpoma in Nigeria
3. Provided tools and training for disease diagnosis, sequencing and bioinformatics, and many more

Redeemer's University Nigeria colleges/faculties

At the time of writing, Redeemer's University Nigeria has 8 faculties, namely:

1. Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
2. Faculty of Engineering
3. Faculty of Built Environment Studies
4. Faculty of Humanities
5. Faculty of Law
6. Faculty of Management Sciences
7. Faculty of Natural Sciences
8. Faculty of Social Sciences

2. Covenant University

The Covenant University is our #2 best private university in Nigeria in 2021. Covenant University is a Christian private university owned by Living Faith Church.

Located in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, the World Mission Agency, affiliated with the Living Faith Church Worldwide International, established Covenant University on October 21, 2002.

Covenant University was founded by Nigeria's wealthiest pastor, David Oyedepo, who is presently the university's Chancellor. Professor Abiodun Humphrey Adebayo is currently the Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Covenant University has beautiful buildings and a welcoming learning environment, which has helped it rank as one of the best private universities in Nigeria.

Covenant University's Colleges/Faculties

Covenant University has four faculties presently, which include:

1. College of Engineering
2. College of Leadership and Development Studies
3. The College of Management and Social Sciences
4. The College of Science and Technology

3. Afe Babalola University

Afe Babalola University is the #3 best private university on our list. The University was established by a Nigerian lawyer, Afe Babalola, in 2009, who named the university after his name.

Afe Babalola University is situated in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria with a well-equipped teaching hospital that has helped the institution rank highly among universities in Nigeria.

The private institution is ranked as the sixth-best university in Nigeria with a grand vision to lead education reform in Nigeria by providing a world-class educational center of excellence in academics, character, sports, and vocational development.

Afe Babalola University's Colleges/Faculties

Afe Babalola University has six faculties, namely:

1. College of Sciences
2. College of Law
3. College of Engineering
4. School of Social and Management Sciences
5. College of Medicine and Health Sciences
6. College of Agriculture

4. Babcock University

Babcock University is the #4 best private university in Nigeria. The Christian private university is owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Nigeria, which established the school in April 1999 in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.

The university was named after an American missionary, David C. Babcock, who leads the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria.

The school has produced many notable personalities, including famous Nigerian musician Davido, popular Nigerian actor Olumide Oworu, and the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Debo Ogundoyin.

Babcock University's Colleges/Faculties

Babcock University has nine faculties with different departments. These 9 faculties include:

1. School of Medicine
2. Computing and Engineering Sciences
3. Education and Humanities
4. Law and Security Studies
5. Management Sciences
6. School of Nursing Sciences
7. Public and Allied Health
8. Faculty of Science And Technology
9. School of Social Sciences

5. Landmark University

Landmark University is the #5 best private university among our top ten best private universities in Nigeria. Landmark University is a private Christian university affiliated with the Living Faith Church.

The missionary school is led by World Mission Agency (WMA), a Christian mission organization created by Dr. David Oyedepo.

Landmark University is ranked 5th on our list of best universities in Nigeria owing to its mission to:

1. Raise a generation of solution providers through a qualitative and life-applicable training system that focuses on value and creative knowledge.
2. Raise a new generation of leaders through a broad-based qualitative education built on sound biblical principles culminating in the birth of breadwinners, job creators, and world changers.
3. Raise an army of reformers who will redeem the black race's battered image and restore her lost glory as pathfinders

Landmark University's Colleges/Faculties

Landmark University has four different colleges with different departments, namely:

1. College of Agricultural Sciences
2. College of Engineering
3. College of Pure and Applied Science
4. College of Business and Social Sciences

6. American University of Nigeria

The American University of Nigeria is the 6th best private University in Nigeria. The institution was founded in 2004 by Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Yola.

It is the first American university in Sub-Saharan Africa. The university was formerly known as ABTI.

AUN, as a standard private university, aims to provide a great center of learning and research in Nigeria and Africa and be a global catalyst for development.

The American University of Nigeria is ranked 22nd among the best universities in Nigeria.

American University of Nigeria's Colleges/Faculties

At the time of writing, the American University of Nigeria has five different faculties. These faculties include:

1. School of Art and Sciences
2. School of Business and Entrepreneurship
3. School of Law
4. School of Engineering
5. School of Information Technology and Communications

7. Bowen University

Bowen University earns a spot as the #7 private university in our list of the 10 best private universities in Nigeria. It is a Baptist Christian Nigerian university owned by the Nigerian Baptist Convention.

The major foundation of Bowen University was first laid in 1954, before its establishment on July 17, 2001, by Nigerian Baptist Convention. The university is located in Iwo in Osun State, Nigeria. Bowen University currently has a radio station.

It is the first Baptist university in Africa.

Bowen University's colleges/faculties

At the time of writing, Bowen University has seven prominent faculties/colleges with different departments. They include:

1. College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science
2. College of Social and Management Science 
3. College of Law
4. College of Computing and Communication Studies
5. College of Health Sciences
6. College of Liberal Studies
7. College of Environmental Science

8. Joseph Ayo Babalola University

Joseph Ayo Babalola University is the #8 best private university in our list of the top 10 best private universities in Nigeria. It is situated between Ipo Arakeji and Ikeji-Arakeji in Osun State, Nigeria.

Christ Apostolic Church established Joseph Ayo Babalola University in 2004 and named it after the church's spiritual leader. The university is Nigeria's first entrepreneurial university.

The private university aims to bring out moral regeneration, godliness, selfless leadership, a positive attitude to work, mutual understanding, and love among ethnic and religious groups.

Joseph Ayo Babalola University's Colleges/Faculties

At the time of writing, there are five established faculties at Joseph Ayo Babalola University, namely:

1. College of Agricultural and Natural Sciences
2. College of Environmental Sciences
3. College of Humanities
4. College of Law
5. College of Management Sciences

9. Igbinedion University

Igbinedion University is the #9 best private university in Nigeria on our list. The private university is the first of its kind in Nigeria, dating back to 1999.

The university aims to pursue excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship by providing world-class facilities and opportunities for education, training, and employment with no discrimination.

To enhance human advancement, prosperity, and public welfare through teaching, research, and outreach programs that encourage applications of knowledge, promote discipline and emphasize entrepreneurship, and manage resources effectively to achieve these aims.

The university has produced over 10,000 graduates from undergraduate and post-graduate schemes since 1999.

Igbinedion University's Colleges/Faculties

Igbinedion University has seven different faculties with different departments. They include:

1. College of Pharmacy
2. College of Engineering
3. College Arts and Social Sciences
4. College of Natural and Applied Sciences
5. College of Business and Management studies
6. College of Law
7. College of Health Sciences

10. Bells University of Technology

The Bells University of Technology is the 10th best private university in Nigeria. The university, formerly known as Bellstec, was established in Nigeria as the country's first private university of technology. It was founded in Ogun State in 2004 but received its operating license on June 9, 2005.

At the time of compiling this report, the Bells University of Technology has admitted over 1,999 students since its inception in 2005.

Bells University's College/Faculties

Bells University has four colleges with different departments, namely:

1. College of Natural and Applied Science -
2. College of Management Sciences
3. College of Engineering
4. College of Environmental Sciences