Universities in Nigeria

Nigeria has a large and fast-growing university system. Universities are approved and supervised by the National Universities Commission (NUC), an agency under the Federal Ministry of Education. The NUC approves every academic programme run in Nigerian universities, sets minimum academic standards and accredits degrees, so its lists are the reference for checking whether a university and its programmes are recognised.

Federal, state and private universities

The NUC groups universities by owner. Its 2026 lists include 77 federal universities, 69 state universities and 182 private universities, many of them founded in the last few years. The federal universities include the oldest institutions: the University of Ibadan dates from 1948, and several others, such as the University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University and Obafemi Awolowo University, from 1962. The federal list also includes the National Open University of Nigeria in Abuja. The NUC keeps separate lists of distance learning centres and of transnational education institutions, meaning foreign universities that operate in Nigeria.

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, in south-west Nigeria, is an example of an older federal university. According to the university, it is one of three universities set up in 1961 and 1962 following a report on Nigeria's higher education needs. It started with five faculties; today it has faculties ranging from agriculture, law and pharmacy to technology and environmental design, and its student population has grown from 244 in 1962-63 to more than 30,000.

How admission works

Entry to universities, polytechnics and colleges of education goes through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which runs the national matriculation examination and places qualified candidates. For 2026, JAMB set the minimum admission score for universities at 150, and the minimum age for admission to tertiary institutions is 16. Each university then sets its own requirements per programme.

OAU's admission tables show the usual pattern. For entry into the first year (Part I), a candidate needs the required subjects in the entrance examination (UME) and in the secondary school O-level results; English Language and Mathematics appear among the O-level subjects for programmes such as Pharmacy and Medicine. Direct entry into a later year is also possible with A-level passes, a first degree or, for some engineering and science programmes, a polytechnic diploma (ND or HND) with an upper credit.

International students should ask the admissions office of their chosen university how foreign school qualifications are assessed and whether they must register with JAMB, as the procedure is not the same for all applicants.

Student visa

The Nigeria Immigration Service issues a Student Visa to people who want to study full time at approved Nigerian institutions. Applicants must provide an official admission letter, proof of financial support, valid medical insurance where applicable and evidence of accommodation. Students may not take paid work unless it is specifically authorised, for example as an internship. For shorter academic stays there is an Academic Exchange Programme visa, valid for up to 90 days on a single entry, for exchanges under formal agreements between institutions.

How to choose a university

• Check that the university and the programme appear on the NUC lists and that the programme is accredited
• Compare federal, state and private universities and ask each one for its current fees for international students
• Read the programme's entry requirements (UME subjects, O-level subjects, direct entry options)
• Ask about accommodation on or near campus, which is also needed for the student visa
• Consider the location: the university's region, its distance from an international airport and local security advice

Frequently asked questions

Who accredits universities in Nigeria?

The National Universities Commission (NUC) approves universities and their programmes, sets minimum academic standards and accredits degrees.

How many universities does Nigeria have?

The NUC's 2026 lists include 77 federal, 69 state and 182 private universities.

Which entrance exam is needed for a Nigerian university?

The national matriculation examination run by JAMB. For 2026 the minimum admission score for universities is 150, and each university sets its own requirements on top of it.

Can international students work in Nigeria on a student visa?

No, not in paid jobs, unless the work is specifically authorised, for example as an internship recognised by the institution and the authorities.