The National Universities Commission (NUC) started operation in 1962. They started off as an advisory agency for the federal government in the Cabinet Office. In 1974, however, the body was transformed to a statutory body and Professor Jibril Aminu was appointed as its very first Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission.
The National Universities Commission is one of the parastatals under the federal Ministry of Education. The commission’s activities are directed by its Governing Council, which is appointed by the federal government. The governing Council is now being headed by Professor Shehu Galadanchi and its present Executive Secretary is Professor Julius A Okojie. The Secretary assumed office on the 3rd of August, 2006.
The NUC had been in operation for more than 47 years now. It started off as a very small office in the cabinet office to a very important arm of the federal government it had participated in the management and development of university education in Nigeria over the years.
The NUC is responsible for granting approval for the various academic programs that are run in all the universities in Nigeria, be it federal, state or privately owned university. The body also grants approval for the establishment of all institutions that are offering degree programs in Nigeria. They also ensure the quality assurance of all the academic programs that are offered in universities operating in Nigeria. The body acts as channel for all the external supports to all Nigerian universities.
Every year, the NUC releases the annual ranking of Nigerian universities according to the yearly performances of each of these institutions. They have released the ranking for this year too and it is detailed below. So, check below for the current list of top Nigerian universities as ranked by the National Universities Commission.
1. University of Lagos (UNILAG): The University of Lagos is popularly known as UNILAG. It is a federal government research university in Lagos State, southwestern Nigeria. its motto is In deed and in truth. Its Nickname is Akokites
2. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU): Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is a federal government owned and operated Nigerian university. The university is in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
- University of Ibadan (UI): The University of Ibadan (UI) is the oldest and one of the most prestigious Nigerian universities, and is located five miles (8 kilometres) from the centre of the major city of Ibadan in Western Nigeria.
- University of Ilorin, Ilorin (UNILORIN):
- Covenant University, Ota (CU):
- Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA):
- University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN):
- University of Benin (UNIBEN): The school was founded in 1970. It started as an Institute of Technology and was accorded the status of a full-fledged University by National Universities Commission (NUC) on 1 July 1971.
Motto: Knowledge for Service - University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT):
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU):
- University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
- Landmark University, Omu-Aran
- Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt (RSUST)
- Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
- University of Jos (UNIJOS)
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK)
- Lagos State University, Ojo (LASU)
- Redeemer’s University, Mowe
- Bayero University Kano (BUK)
- University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)
- Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso
- Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Dutsin-Ma
- Federal University of Technology, Owerri
- Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.
- Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti
- Osun State University, Oshogbo.
- Paul University, Awka
- Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti
- Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko
- Federal University, Dutse.
- University of Uyo, Uyo
- University of Agriculture, Makurdi.
- University of Abuja, Abuja
- Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki
- Veritas University, Abuja
- Madonna University, Okija.
- University of Calabar, Calabar
- Nasarawa State University, Keffi
- Pan African University, Lagos
- Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma
- Lead City University, Ibadan
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi
- Kwara State University, Ilorin
- Delta State University, Abraka, Abraka
- Baze University, Abuja
- Bingham University, Auta Balifi
- Bells University of Technology, Ota
- Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina
- Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo.
- Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun
- Benue State University, Makurdi
- Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu
- Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji
- Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island Yenagoa
- African University of Science and Technology, Abuja
- Kaduna State University, Kaduna
- Federal University, Lokoja.
- Igbinedion University Okada, Okada.
- Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai
- Fountain University, Oshogbo
- American University of Nigeria, Yola
- Achievers University, Owo
- Ondo State University of Science & Technology, Okitipupa
- Obong University, Obong Ntak
- Crawford University, Faith City
- Federal University, Otuoke
- Anambra State University, Uli
- Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye
- Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode
- Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola
- Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo Town
- Imo State University, Owerri
- Caleb University, Imota
- Federal University, Ndufu-Alike
- University of Mkar, Mkar
- Nigerian Turkish Nile University, Abuja
- Novena University, Ogume
- Adeleke University, Ede
- Renaissance University, Enugu
- Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.
- Caritas University, Enugu
- Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto
- Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero
- Benson Idahosa University, Benin City
- Oduduwa University, Ile Ife
- Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia
- Bowen University, Iwo
- Adamawa State University, Mubi
- Crescent University, Abeokuta
- Cross River University of Science & Technology, Calabar
- Gombe State University, Gombe
- Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin
- Abia State University, Uturu
- Wellspring University, Benin City
- Yobe State University, Damaturu
- Western Delta University, Oghara
- Federal University, Lafia
- Wesley University of Science and Technology, Ondo City
- Bauchi State University, Gadau
- Federal University, Kashere
- Federal University, Wukari, Wukari
- Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa
- Taraba State University, Jalingo
- Sokoto State University, Sokoto
- Kwararafa University Wukari.
- Tansian University, Umunya
- Akwa Ibom State University, Uyo
- Godfrey Okoye University, Ugwuomu-Nike
- Salem University, Lokoja
- Plateau State University, Bokkos
- Katsina University, Katsina
- Kogi State University, Anyigba
- Rhema University, Aba