It’s no news that Nigeria has been affected by the known ASUU strike and the federal universities are prey to this system such that students exceed the years required for a course/program and this can lead to frustration as some students lose hope of graduating soon and even drop out of school. On the other hand, private universities are not affordable because of its high tuition fees.
When it comes to choosing a university in Nigeria, there are plenty of options available, while the federal and private universities are well-known, state universities offer an excellent education at a more affordable price. Without wasting your time, I will go ahead and explain what a state university is and also give you list of the top 20 best state universities in Nigeria.
State Universities are list of schools owned and managed by the state government in Nigeria. In fact, some of the best state universities in Nigeria are on par with federal and private universities when it comes to quality of education. I have done my research,and in this article, we will explore the top 20 best state universities in Nigeria. Ready to explore?
List of top 20 state universities in Nigeria, according to various rankings:
- Lagos State University (LASU)
- Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU)
- Rivers State University (RSU)
- Ekiti State University (EKSU)
- Delta State University (DELSU)
- Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU)
- Enugu State University (ESUT)
- Usman Danfodio University (UDUSOK)
- Nasarawa State University (NSUK)
- Bayelsa State University (BYSU)
- Ebonyi State University (EBSU)
- Bayero State University (BUK)
- Kogi State University (KSU)
- Benue State University (BSU)
- Abia State University (ABSU)
- Edo State University (EDSU)
- Plateau State University (PLASU)
- Adamawa State University (ADSU)
- Imo State University (IMSU)
- Kebbi State University (KSUST)
- Lagos State University (LASU):is a great option for students who live in Lagos or nearby states. LASU was founded in 1983. It is located in Ojo, the heart of the city, so it’s easily accessible. LASU is one of the best state universities in Nigeria. It has four campuses: Ojo, Epe, Ikeja and Surulere. The university has 10 Faculties: Arts, Education, Engineering, Law, Management Sciences, Clinical Sciences and Social Sciences. It offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The cutoff mark is 200, so if LASU is your choice or you choose to apply to this university, you should score at least 200.
- Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU):is commonly known as Anambra State University (ANSU). It was founded in 1992. It is located in Uli, Anambra State. The University has 10 Faculties: Business Administration, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Law, Arts, Management Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Medicine and Health Sciences. It is no doubt one of the top 20 best universities and it is an excellent choice for those in south-eastern Nigeria.
- Rivers State University (RSU):is undoubtedly one of the best state universities. It was founded in 1980. It is located in diobu in Port Harcourt. It has 9 Faculties; Environmental Sciences, Management Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Clinical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences. The University also offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs and it is indeed a good choice especially for those who live in the southern part of Nigeria.
- Ekiti State University (EKSU):is an excellent choice for students who want to receive a quality education. EKSU was founded in 1982. It is located in the south-west region of Kogi State. It has 8 Faculties; Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Education, Engineering, Arts, Law, Management Sciences and Social Sciences. It has a variety of programs to choose from as you can see. It also offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The cost of living in Ekiti State is relatively low. So if you are looking for a university that offers value for money, EKSU is worth considering.
- Delta State University (DELSU):is a wonderful choice. It was founded in 1992. It has a wide range of programs and it is located in Abraka, a low-cost city in Delta State. It has 9 Faculties; Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Law, Management Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences and the College of Basic and Applied Sciences. It has a wide range of programs and it is located in Abraka, a low-cost city in Delta State.
- Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU):is a fantastic choice for students. AAU is known for its academic excellence and its graduates are highly sought after by employers. It was founded in 1999. It is located in Akungba Akoko, Ondo State. It has seven(7) faculties, including the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences and Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. The University offers a variety of degree programs, including undergraduate, postgraduate and professional programs
- Enugu State University (ESUT):is one of the leading state universities in the south east. It was founded in 1980. It is located in the city of Enugu, Enugu State. It has 7 Faculties; Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Law, Science, Social Sciences and the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences. ESUT is known for its focus on technology and innovation.
- Usman Danfodio University (UDUSOK):it’s a good choice for students, especially students from Islamic backgrounds. It was founded in 1975. It is located in Sokoto, Sokoto State It is one of the leading universities in northern Nigeria and unlike ESUT and AAU, the university has 14 faculties; Arts and Islamic Studies, Allied Health Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dentistry, Engineering and Technology, Law, Life Sciences, Management Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Science, Social Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. UDUSOK also offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs.
- Nasarawa State University (NSUK): It was founded in 2001. it is located in the city of Keffi in Nasarawa. It has 7 faculties including, the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Law, and Faculty of Management Sciences.
- Bayelsa State University (BYSU):is a top choice for students in the Niger-Delta region. It was founded in 2005. It is located in the city of Yenagoa. It has six (6) faculties including, the Faculty of Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Education and Humanities.
- Ebonyi State University (EBSU):it is one of the most affordable universities in Nigeria. It was founded in 1999. It is located in the city of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. It has 7 Faculties; Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, Education, Environmental Sciences,Management Sciences, Health Sciences, Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Science, Social Sciences and Veterinary Medicine.
- Bayero University Kano (BUK):it is another fantastic choice and one of the best universities in northern Nigeria. It is located in Kano, Kano State. It was founded in 1975. The University has 11 Faculties; Agricultural Sciences, Dentistry, Arts and Islamic Studies, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Edu, Engineering, Law, Management Sciences, Pharmacy, Physical Sciences and Social and Management Sciences.
- Kogi State University (KSU):is also a great choice. It was founded in 1999. It is located in Anyigba, Kogi State. LThe university has 7 faculties; Agricultural Sciences, Arts, Education, Engineering, Law, Management Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences. It is known for its friendly and supportive environment and it also runs a scholarship program for underprivileged students.
- Benue State University (BSU):is another great option to consider. It was founded in 1992. JIt is located in Makurdi, Benue State. It has 12 Faculties; Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences, Law, Management Sciences, Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. It is known for its high-quality teaching.
- Abia State University (ABSU):is also one of the best state universities in Nigeria. It was founded in 1981. It is located in the city of Uturu, Abia State. It has 12 Faculties: Arts, Business Administration, Environmental Sciences, Management Sciences, Social Sciences, Medicine, Agricultural Sciences, Pharmacy, Science and Veterinary Medicine, Law and Engineering.
- Edo State University (EDSU):is located in the city of Iyamho and it was established in 2016. The University has 9 Faculties; Arts, Education, Engineering, Law, Natural and Applied Sciences, Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. The University is known for its high-quality teaching and it’s quickly becoming one of the best state universities in Nigeria.
- Plateau State University (PLASU):it’s a great choice. It was founded in 2005. It is located in Bokkos, Plateau State. It has 8 Faculties; Arts and Humanities, Education, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Law, Management Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences and Social Science. Generally, the Plateau state is very cold and it’s also known for the series of hills that surround the entire state. It is a good choice for students who can adapt to its cold weather conditions.
- Adamawa State University (ADSU): is an excellent choice for students who want to pursue their studies in North Eastern Nigeria. It was founded in 2002. It is located in Mubi, Adamawa State. It has seven (7) faculties, including the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Sciencesand the Faculty of Law.
- Imo State University (IMSU):is another brilliant choice. It was founded in 1981. It is located in the city of Owerri, Imo State. It has 12 Faculties; Arts, Agricultural Sciences, Basic Medical Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Management Sciences, Social Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. It’s one of the leading universities in the south east region of Nigeria.
- Kebbi State University of Science and Technology (KSUST):it’s an excellent University to consider. It was founded in 2006. It is located in Aliero, Kebbi State. The University has five (5) faculties, including the Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Management Sciences, Social Sciences and the veterinary medicine.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a State University in Nigeria.
There’s a popular saying that goes like this “look before you leap”
If you want to have a smooth ride in the University of your choice, you must bear in mind that when making a decision of what University you want to attend, there are important things you should put into consideration to have a stress-free university experiences.
These factors include:
- What Courses They Offer: you should know what courses the university offer and if your choice is amongst them
- Tuition Fees: you should make enquiry on how much the school fees, registration fees and accommodation fees cost.
- Course of Study:before even considering on applying to any university, you should know what course interests you the most. This decision isn’t for your parents or friends to decide. This important decision should only be made by you. Your parents/guardians can guide you if you have any questions regarding what course to study. Do not let anyone impose their choice on you.
- State of Mind: finally, the key factor you must consider before entering a university, is your state of mind. This is one thing most students neglect and in fact our parents/teachers fail to tell us what we are actually getting into. The university is not a child’s play and as such you should ensure that you are ready to go in that journey.
Wrong Reasons People Go into the University
There are few common reasons why people might rush into the university. Without much ado, let’s dive into the reasons;
- You might feel like you are ready to go into the university because everyone else is going
- You might feel like you need to get a degree as quickly as possible inorder to get a good job. Or maybe it’s simply your lack of understanding about what university is like.
There are Consequences of Rushing Into University.
One of the problems of rushing into university is that you might end up in the wrong program, probably by choosing a program based on what your friends are doing or what your parents want you to do, rather than what you are truly interested in. This can lead to you dropping out of school.
Advantages of Attending a State University in Nigeria
There is no doubt that there are benefits of attending a state university but I will be mentioning a few.
One of the main benefits is that state universities are more affordable than private universities and you will get to meet students from different cultures and religious backgrounds. However, the disadvantage is that state universities often have larger class sizes, which can make it difficult for you to get individual attention from lecturers.
Also, unlike federal universities, state universities do not go on strike and it’s of great pleasure to let you know that majority of students who attends a state university graduates at the right time they are supposed to graduate.
As you know, the top 20 best state universities in Nigeria offer a high-quality education and variety of programs. They are very affordable and of higher advantage to you compared to the federal universities. So whether, you are interested in the Arts, Sciences or Humanities, you are sure to find a State University that meets all your needs.
Now that you know more about these institutions, which one will you choose?
Good luck!
