There are different types of Universities in Nigeria; State Universities, Federal, and of course Private Universities. The best state universities in Nigeria are some of the most popular tertiary institutions in the country; rivaling even the most prestigious Federal Institutions in the country.

State Universities are funded and administered by the states. That means they may not have the same financial resources as the federal universities. The only other thing is that State Universities usually employ academics from only their states; a thing which may sometimes affect the quality of the faculty.

State Universities usually enroll students from their states; and so while looking for Nigeria’s best state universities, it is important to note that admission is not guaranteed if one is not an indigene of the state.

Top 20 Best State Universities In Nigeria

1. Lagos State University (LASU)

The Lagos State University (LASU) is one of the most popular universities in Nigeria; it has ranked higher than several Federal Universities in the country. The Lagos State University was founded in 1983.

The main campuses of LASU are located in Ojo (main campus), Ikeja, Surulere, and Epe. In total, the student population at LASU is more than 60,000.

LASU is known for Law, Social Sciences, Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science as well as Education. Other faculties include Business Administration, School of Clinical Sciences, and Arts.

2. Rivers State University Of Science And Technology (RSUST)

Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) was founded in 1980 and has since become one of the best State Universities in Nigeria. RSUST is the first Technological University in the country. The University has a student population of 17,000 and a staff strength of 3,000.

RSUST is mostly known for Health Science, but the university also has other faculties such as Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Law, Technical and Science Education, Engineering, College of Medicine, Science, and also Marine Engineering.

3. Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)

Olabisi Onabanjo University was established in the year 1982. The University was formerly known as Ogun State University but renamed Olabisi Onabanjo University in 2001.

The university has 9 faculties which are namely; Law, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Engineering, Basic Medical Sciences, Environmental Science, Social and Management Science, and College of Medicine.

Olabisi Onabanjo University has multiple campuses with the main campus in Ago Iwoye

4. Delta State University (DELSU)

Delta State University was established in 1992, by the Delta State Government. The University has a multiple campus system, it has 3 campuses, but the main campus is in Abraka.

Delta State University has a student capacity of 36,000 people. It is a popular university that is well known for the Arts, Business Studies, and Engineering. Other Faculties are Agriculture, Science, Education, Law, Basic medical sciences, Pharmacy, and Environmental Studies.

5. Ambrose Ali University (AAU)

Ambrose Ali University is one of the most popular state universities in Nigeria. This university is located in Edo state and was established in the year 1981.

The University was first known as Bendel State University before the state was divided to create Delta Edo State and Delta State. The name was chosen to honor Professor Ambrose Ali.

Ambrose Ali University is known for Medicine, Education, and Engineering, but other faculties are Legal studies, Agriculture and Natural resources, as well as Engineering and Technology, Arts, and Social Science.

6. Abia State University

Abia State University was established in 1981; it is one of the best-known universities in Eastern Nigeria. The Abia State University has a student population of about 20,000 students, and it has been described as a thriving Academic Community.

Abia State University is known for business and entrepreneurship studies, as well as for other studies like Medicine, Law, Optometry, Biological and Physical Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, and of course Agriculture.

7. Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA)

Adekunle Ajasin University was established in 1999 by the Ondo State Government. The university is located at Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.

The university has a student body numbering more than 20,000 students, and the institution is known for the Arts, as well as for science. Other faculties include law, Agriculture, Social, and Management Science.

8. Ladoke Akintola University Of Technology (LAUTECH)

The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology LAUTECH was established in 1990. It is located in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, and has a student population of 25,000 with a staff strength of 3,000.

LAUTECH is great at Agriculture, as well as Technology, Computer Science, Food Science, and Fine Arts.

9. Ekiti State University (EKSU)

Ekiti State University was established in the year 1982. This University is a great place for Management Studies, as well as Agriculture, Science, Social Science, Arts, Clinical Sciences, and Basic Medical Science.

10. Imo State University (IMSU)

The Imo State University was established in the year 1981, and is known to be one of the best State Universities in the country; with a student population numbering thousands, and coming from various locations throughout the country.

Imo State University is a great place to study literature, the arts, as well as Agriculture, Law, Engineering, Social Sciences, and Education.

11. Kogi State University (KSU)

The Kogi State University was established in the year 1999. This institution has a student population of 50,000 students and is run by Kogi State University. Kogi State is a great place for the study of agriculture, education, and other such studies.

12. Niger Delta University (NDU)

The Niger Delta University was established in the year 2000 and is located in Wilberforce Island Bayelsa State. The institution has 2 campuses; one in Yenagoa and the other at Amassoma.

The university has 9 faculties, Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Medical Sciences, Law, Pharmacy, Science, Management Sciences, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education.

13. Osun State University

Osun State University was established in 2006, and so it is one of the younger universities in the country. This University has a multi-campus system, and some of the faculties are; Social Sciences, Law, Humanities, Agriculture and Education, as well as Health Science.

14. Kwara State University (KWASU)

Kwara State University was established in the year 2009, by then governor of the state Dr. Bukola Saraki. The institution has since grown to be an important citadel of learning in the country; with a student body that numbers more than 25,000.

The institution operates via a multi-campus structure and is a great place to study Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, as well as Management and Social Sciences, Education, and Humanities.

15. Enugu State University Of Science And Technology (ESUT)

Enugu State University Of Science And Technology was founded in the year 1980 as Anambra State University of Science and Technology.

However, when Enugu state was created, it changed its name. The University is a great place to study Engineering, Technology, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Management.

This is one of the best universities in the eastern part of Nigeria to study technology. It has a student population of around 50,000.

16. Benue State University (BSU)

Benue State University was established in the year 1992. Despite its young age, the institution has grown in leaps and bounds; it has a student population of around 32,000.

The University is a great place to study Agriculture, Science, Law, Education, Art, Health Science, Environmental Science, and Management Science.

17. Kaduna State University (KASU)

Kaduna State, University was established in 2004. This state university currently has 2 campuses and is one of the main universities in northern Nigeria. It is a great place to study Arts, Science, Medicine, Pharmacy, Management, and Social Sciences.

18. Ebonyi State University (EBSU)

Ebonyi State University was established in the year 1999. Ebonyi State University is one of the principal institutions charged with bringing human capital development to the state. It is a great place to study Agriculture, Social Sciences, Arts, and others.

19. Nassarawa State University

Nassarawa State University was established in the year 2001. It is one of the popular state universities in Nigeria’s northern region and gets students from Abuja, Nassarawa State, and many other parts of the north. This university has different faculties and also has a good number of students due to its popularity.

20. Ondo State University Of Science And Technology (OSUTECH)

The Ondo State University of Science and Technology was founded in the year 2010 and is located in Okitipupa, Ondo State. The university is a great place to study Agriculture, Electrical Engineering, and Civil Engineering.

The university has now been renamed Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa.

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Finally

The best state universities in Nigeria are basically those that function somewhat similarly to Federal Universities; employing academics, and accepting students from diverse backgrounds, on merit rather than ethnicity.

These institutions have gained great reputations worth defending, and the governing councils are determined to raise standards rather than watch them deteriorate.