evidencechidozie@gmail.comTop Nigerian Universities for Postgraduate Studies
Graduating with a bachelor’s degree is a big achievement congratulations! Now comes the hard part: deciding what’s next. Many Nigerian graduates weigh several options. You might start hunting for a job in your field or in a related industry. Some choose to learn a new skill or get a professional certificate (like coding bootcamps, design courses, or civil service exams) to boost employability. Others have an entrepreneurial spark and consider starting a business or freelancing, tapping into Nigeria’s growing tech and creative sectors. Some may even take a short break to travel or work abroad before deciding on further education. Of course, a common choice is to continue studies maybe pursue a postgraduate diploma, another bachelor’s in a different field, or a full master’s/PhD.
Many graduates especially dream of doing their master’s abroad, thinking foreign degrees will instantly open doors. All this can be discouraging, but it’s not the whole picture. Nigeria still has many universities with excellent postgraduate programs. If you’re considering a master’s, don’t assume that going abroad is your only choice. In recent global rankings (Times Higher Education 2025), several Nigerian schools are top-ranked and boast dedicated research programs. We’ll look at several institutions (federal and private) that are particularly good for graduate study. These universities offer strong faculties, research centers, and reputable degrees, so you can feel confident earning a master’s or PhD here in 2024/2025. Below we list each by name, location, strengths, and why it’s a great choice for postgraduates.
1. University of Ibadan (Ibadan, Oyo State)
Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious university. It was founded in 1948 and is consistently rated No. 1 or No. 2 in the country. UI has 16 faculties (Arts, Science, Medicine, Agriculture, Law, Pharmacy, etc.) and a large campus. In fact, UI’s Postgraduate School is “the largest in Africa” – undergrad and graduate students are about a 50/50 split. That means a huge variety of master’s and doctoral programs are available. UI is renowned for academic excellence, with many distinguished faculty and alumni (including Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and author Chinua Achebe). Its strengths include sciences (like biology, physics, environmental studies), medicine and dentistry (through its teaching hospitals), and social sciences and humanities. For a master’s student, UI offers a mature research environment, modern labs (when funded), and an active Postgraduate College. Its library and botanical gardens are famous, and Ni’s global connections can help ambitious students.
2. University of Lagos (Akoka, Lagos)
A major federal university in Nigeria’s commercial capital. UNILAG was established in 1962 and has grown into a broad-based research institution. It comprises three campuses (two in Yaba and one College of Medicine at Idi-Araba) with 12 faculties: Arts, Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Engineering, Law, Pharmacy, Social Sciences, Education, etc.. The university also has specialized institutes – for example, a College of Medicine, an Institute of Maritime Studies (leveraging Lagos’s harbor economy), and its own Business School.
Do you want to connect with us for more information on WhatsApp? Click here
Lagos State University is well-known for programs in business, law, and technology, and attracts a diverse student body. Its research centers (housing, maritime, education) support cutting-edge projects. For master’s students, UNILAG’s location is a big plus: you’re in the heart of Nigeria’s business community, with internship and networking opportunities. The campus life is vibrant but can be competitive, and the university’s high rankings (THE Global 2025: 1001-1200) reflect its solid reputation.
3. Covenant University (Ota, Ogun State)
Nigeria’s leading private university. Covenant was founded in 2002 and quickly rose to prominence. In the latest Times Higher Education World Rankings (2025 edition), Covenant was #1 in Nigeria and #6 in sub-Saharan Africa. This Christian university emphasizes high-quality teaching and research. It has four colleges (Engineering, Science & Technology, Management & Social Sciences, Leadership & Development Studies) and a School of Postgraduate Studies. Covenant is known for engineering, computer science, management, and social science programs. As a private school, it boasts modern facilities, well-paid faculty, and a tight campus community. Its curriculum focuses on leadership and entrepreneurship, and the student-to-faculty ratio is low. Covenant’s news release notes it excels on metrics like teaching quality, research environment and international outlook. In short, Covenant offers a very structured and supportive setting for graduate students who want a cutting-edge, faith-based academic experience.
4. Ahmadu Bello University (Zaria, Kaduna State)
One of Nigeria’s biggest federal universities, founded in 1962. ABU Zaria is regularly ranked among the country’s top schools (Times Higher lists it as one of the top five Nigerian universities). It has wide-ranging faculties: Agriculture, Engineering, Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Education, and more. ABU runs a large medical teaching hospital and a thriving College of Science. Its research strengths include agricultural science (with farms on campus), veterinary medicine, and chemical and petroleum engineering. The university has numerous postgraduate programs – PhD and MSc degrees in virtually all fields. ABU’s campus culture is studious and multidisciplinary; it attracts many top scholars from Northern Nigeria. For master’s students, ABU offers extensive library and lab facilities, an experienced faculty, and plenty of peer PhD candidates. Its reputation is especially strong in agriculture, engineering, and basic sciences.
5. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (Nsukka, Enugu State)
This is a federal university founded by Nnamdi Azikiwe and opened in 1960. UNN is famous as Nigeria’s first indigenous university. It currently runs 102 academic departments across 15 faculties, offering 211 postgraduate programs. These include Agriculture, Health Sciences (Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing), Biological and Physical Sciences, Engineering, Law, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, and more. In fact, UNN has four campuses: the main campus in Nsukka, a business-administration campus, a medical campus (Teaching Hospital), and an arts-culture campus in Enugu. Research activity is very broad – UNN hosts centers for African Studies, Education, Development Studies, Herbal Medicine and Drug Research, Climate Change, Space Science, and more. For master’s students, this means cutting-edge projects in everything from biotechnology to African languages. UNN’s legacy and alumni network are strong (its business school and science programs are among Nigeria’s best). New grads will find UNN a great choice if they want a large, mature university with a full slate of graduate courses.
6. University of Ilorin (Ilorin, Kwara State)
The university came into light in 1975 and it offers a wide range of subjects agriculture, engineering & technology, law, pharmacy, education, physical sciences, pharmaceutical science, social sciences, veterinary medicine, etc.. It has on-campus dormitories, good libraries, computer labs, and even a new multipurpose auditorium. Ilorin’s advantages for master’s students include its track record of fewer strikes (a calm campus), and its outreach – the university has partnerships and exchange programs with institutions in Africa and abroad. The postgrad school has active research in fields like engineering, crop science, and management. Many Nigerian scholars credit Unilorin for high-quality training in STEM and education. If you want a peaceful campus with solid programs in sciences, law, or education, Unilorin is a top pick.
7. Landmark University (Omu-Aran, Kwara State)
A private Christian university known for agricultural and life-science research. Opened in 2011, Landmark is new but growing fast. It was ranked the #2 private university in Nigeria by Times Higher Education. The university is built around a farm, and its curricula emphasize agriculture, biotechnology, food science, environmental management, and entrepreneurial training. Landmark’s postgraduate programs include MSc/PhD degrees in Agricultural Economics, Animal Science, Crop Science, and related disciplines. Its research is hands-on: students get to work on the university’s experimental farms and labs. Landmark also has a College of Computing and a College of Management, but its fame is agriculture. For a graduate student who cares about environment and tech, Landmark offers scholarships and modern labs. The campus is quiet and disciplined (it’s run by a religious organization), so it’s a good retreat for focused study.
8. Bayero University Kano (Kano, Kano State)
A leading federal university in northern Nigeria, frequently among the country’s top five. BUK was founded in 1975 and has faculties including Law, Agriculture, Islamic Studies, Education, Science, and Social Sciences. It’s especially noted for its Islamic and Arabic Studies Institute, one of the best in West Africa, and its Faculty of Law. In the sciences, BUK has active research in crop protection, chemical engineering, and public health (it has a teaching hospital too). Graduate programs cover fields like Arabic literature, computer science, geology, and biology. For master’s students, Kano’s advantage is the university’s strong local and regional reputation; it draws many international Muslim students. Plus, Kano State’s urban growth has fostered industry links (engineering projects, agri-business) that students can tap into. If you want solid programs in humanities, education or the hard sciences, BUK is a top northern choice.
9. Obafemi Awolowo University (Ile-Ife, Osun State)
Federal university consistently regarded as top-tier. Founded in 1962 (as University of Ife), OAU is known for high academic standards. It has wide academic offerings (Engineering, Arts & Social Sciences, Science, Education, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, and a highly-regarded Business School). OAU’s specialties include engineering (especially mechanical and civil), theatre arts and culture (it has a strong humanities center), law, and public health. Its campus is often cited as one of Nigeria’s most beautiful, and it fosters a strong research culture. OAU regularly sends teams to international challenges (e.g. CFA investment contest), reflecting its vibrant academic community. For postgraduates, OAU offers many PhD options and research centers (e.g. renewable energy, tropical medicine). The university also has a Writers’ Centre named after Wole Soyinka. In short, OAU combines tradition with innovation, making it an excellent choice for masters students in engineering, social sciences, or the arts.
10. Federal University of Technology Akure (Akure, Ondo State)
Nigeria’s first dedicated tech university, founded in 1981. FUTA focuses on science and engineering disciplines. Its nine schools include Engineering, Earth & Mineral Sciences, Environmental Tech, Agriculture, Basic Medical Sciences, Computing, Life Sciences, etc. Research at FUTA is strong: the university “hosts research teams” in engineering, agricultural/environmental science, health/biomedical science, and more. For example, FUTA is known for innovation in renewable energy, agricultural technology (soil science, crop breeding) and computer science. It has well-equipped labs (e.g. the Albert Ilemobade Central Library with advanced facilities). For a graduate student passionate about engineering, information technology, or applied sciences, FUTA offers cutting-edge programs and industry collaborations. Its rural location means a focused study environment, with modern on-campus amenities.
11. University of Benin (Benin City, Edo State)
Established in 1970, Uniben is a comprehensive federal university with 16 faculties. It began as an Institute of Technology, and today it covers Arts, Agriculture, Engineering, Basic Medical Sciences, Dentistry, Law, Pharmacy, Physical Sciences, Management, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and more. Uniben has a major teaching hospital and specialized centers (e.g. a Centre for Petroleum Geoscience). Its strong suits include architecture, agricultural engineering, pharmacology, and humanities. The John Harris Library on campus is well-stocked, supporting serious research. Uniben’s location in an oil-producing region gives it an edge in petroleum-related research and environmental studies. For master’s students, Uniben offers a safe campus and numerous labs. It’s especially recommended for those in medical/dental fields, engineering (there’s a good civil engineering department) and law.
You might also want to see
Courses that might not make sense in Nigeria.
Courses that attract international scholarships
Universities with the most expensive hostel prices
Universities with the highest Cult activities
Life after School…. untold realities
Final Remarks
Each of these universities is approved by the National Universities Commission to run postgraduate programs and has unique strengths. Many have research grants, international partnerships, and active postgraduate schools. By choosing one of them, you’ll join a community of scholars working on real challenges in Nigeria and Africa. In short, while the idea of going abroad for your master’s is common, there are plenty of excellent options at home – from the historic University of Ibadan to innovative private schools like Covenant and Landmark that can give you a world-class postgraduate education right here in Nigeria.
evidencechidozie@gmail.com
