10 Best private universities in Nigeria (2024)

Private universities in Nigeria are widely known for their very fast academic calendar, which is unaffected by ASUU strikes and political influences. In this post, we will discuss the 10 best private universities in Nigeria.

You will also get to see the available courses and top alumni of each of these private universities.

Well, let’s get to it.

Best private universities in Nigeria

Here are the best private universities in Nigeria:

1. Covenant University

Covenant University is one of the 10 best private universities in Nigeria. It is located in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State. Covenant University was established on October 21, 2002, and it is affiliated with the Living Faith Church.

It’s a Christian private university that was founded by Bishop David Oyedepo, who is also the university’s Chancellor. 

David Olaniyi Oyedepo is a preacher, Christian author, businessman, architect, and the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, AKA Winners’ Chapel International.

Faculties and available courses at Covenant University

1. College of Engineering

• Chemical Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Electrical and Information Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

2. College of Leadership and Development Studies

• Leadership Studies
• Languages and General Studies
• Psychology and Political Science
• International Relation

3. College of Management and Social Sciences

• Accounting
• Banking And Finance
• Business Management
• Economics and Development Studies
• Mass Communication
• Sociology

4. College of Science and Technology

• Physics
• Building Technology
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Biochemistry
• Computer & Information Sciences
• Architecture
• Estate Management
• Biological Sciences

Notable Alumni of Covenant University

• Ikechukwu Eric Ahiauzu (Ric Hassani)
• Ini Dima-Okojie
• Simisola Ogunleye (Simi)
• Ben’Jamin Obadje (Spellz)
• Somto Ifezue (Co-founder and Lead Product Engineer at PiggyVest)
• Odunayo Eweniyi (Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer at PiggyVest)
• Joshua Chibueze (Chief Marketing Officer at PiggyVest)

Also read: Best Public Universities in Nigeria

2. Babcock University

Babcock University is another school on our list of the 10 best private universities in Nigeria. It was established in April 1999 in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Just like Covenant University, Babcock University is a Christian private university. It was founded by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria.

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

Faculties and available courses at Babcock University

1. School of Medicine

• Medicine
• Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Histology

2. Computing and Engineering Sciences

• Computer Science
• Software Engineering

3. Education and Humanities

• History and International Studies
• Religious studies
• Language and Literary Studies
• Music and Creative Arts
• General Education Studies

4. Law and Security Studies

• Jurisprudence and Public Law
• Private and Commercial Law
• International Law and Security Studies

5. Management Sciences

• Finance
• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Marketing
• Information Resource and Management

6. School of Nursing Sciences

• Community Health 
• Adult Health

7. Public and Allied Health

• Medical Laboratory Science
• Public Health

8. Science And Technology

• Agriculture and Industrial Technology
• Microbiology
• Basic Sciences

9. School of Social Sciences

• Social Work and Human Services
• Mass Communication
• Political Sciences
• Economics

Notable Alumni of Babcock University

• David Adedeji Adeleke (Davido OBO)
• Debo Ogundoyin (Politician and speaker of the Ninth Oyo State House of Assembly)
• Shola Akinlade (Co-founder and CEO of Paystack)
• Ezra Olubi (Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Paystack)

3. Joseph Ayo Babalola University

Joseph Ayo Babalola University is one of the 10 best private universities in Nigeria. It is located between Ipo Arakeji and Ikeji-Arakeji in Osun State, Nigeria.

Joseph Ayo Babalola University is owned and managed by The Christ Apostolic Church, and was named in honour of their spiritual leader, Joseph Babalola.

Faculties at Ayo Babalola University

• College of Law
• College of Humanities
• College of Management Sciences
• College of Environmental Sciences
• College of Agricultural and Natural Sciences

4. Bowen University

Bowen University is the 4th school on our list of the 10 best private universities in Nigeria. It’s a Christian private university that is owned and managed by the Nigerian Baptist Convention.

This university is located at Iwo in Osun State, Nigeria.

Faculties at Bowen University

• College of Law
• College of Liberal Studies
• College of Health Sciences
• College of Environmental Science
• College of Social & Management Science
• College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science
• College of Computing & Communication Studies

5. Redeemer’s University Nigeria (RUN)

Redeemer’s University Nigeria (RUN) was founded in 2005 and managed by Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Redeemer’s University Nigeria is recognized and respected in the field of Genomics of Infectious Diseases.

This University came up with the first accurate diagnosis of Ebola in Sierra Leone and Nigeria

Discovered two rhabdoviruses Ekpoma in Nigeria

Gave equipment and needed training for disease diagnosis and sequencing and bioinformatics

Faculties at Redeemer’s University Nigeria

• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• Faculty of Natural Science
• Faculty of Management Science

6. Igbinedion University

Igbinedion University is the first private university established in Nigeria in 1999. This university is also one of the 10 best private universities in Nigeria.

Igbinedion University was founded by a popular Benin Chief, Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion. This university is situated in Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Edo State.

Faculties at Igbinedion University

• College of Law
• College of Pharmacy
• College of Engineering
• College of Health Sciences
• College Arts and Social Sciences
• College of Natural and Applied Sciences
• College of Business and Management studies

7. American University of Nigeria

The American University of Nigeria was established by Atiku Abubakar in 2004.

Atiku Abubakar is a former Nigerian Vice President. He has unsuccessfully contested five times for the Office of President of Nigeria in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019. He will be contesting again in 2023.

You May Be Interested In: How Atiku Abubakar made his money

The American University of Nigeria is the only American university in Nigeria. Also, only 2 of its kind exist in the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Faculties at the American University of Nigeria

• School of Law
• School of Engineering
• School of Art and Sciences
• School of Business and Entrepreneurship
• School of Information Technology & Communications

8. Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD)

This university was established in 2009 by Afe Babalola, a famous Nigerian Lawyer 2009. It is situated in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Afe Babalola University is well equipped to the point that it has a teaching hospital for its medical students.

Faculties at Afe Babalola University

• College of Law
• College of Sciences
• College of Agriculture
• College of Engineering
• College of Medicine and Health Sciences
• School of Social and Management Sciences

9. Landmark University

Here’s another best private university in Nigeria. Landmark University is affiliated with the Living Faith Church and established by the World Mission Agency (WMA).

WMA is a Christian missionary organisation founded by Bishop David Oyedepo.

Landmark University is situated in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, and is the 9th school on our list of the 10 best private universities in Nigeria.

Faculties at Landmark University

• College of Engineering
• College of Agricultural Sciences
• College of Pure and Applied Science
• College of Business and Social Sciences
• College of Business and Social Sciences

10. Bells University of Technology

Formerly known as Bellstech, Bells University of Technology is the first private university of technology.

Located in Ogun State, it was founded in 2004 but wasn’t given an operating license until June 9, 2005. Today, Bells University of Technology has 4 different colleges.

Faculties/Colleges at Bells University of Technology

• College of Engineering
• College of Environmental Science
• College of Management Sciences
• College of Natural and Applied Science

Conclusion

There are many standard private universities in Nigeria, but these are the top 10. 

Note that all information on this page are not guessed or arbitrarily provided. They are from verified sources, including the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Times Higher Education (THE).

Also, they are all solely based on merit. We are not paid to include or exclude any individual or institution.