Top-Rated Private Universities in Nigeria 2025/2026: Accredited Institutions and Tuition Fees

There are several private universities in Nigeria. The difference between public universities and them is that tuition fees are often higher, which is the primary source of their income and funding for these universities. As a result of these high tuition fees, private universities have a larger staff base and resource pay.

Private universities are often smaller than public or federal universities. Private institutions have a total enrollment of just 1,400 students, compared to government universities, which have tens of thousands.

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Many of Nigeria’s famous and highly regarded universities are private. We’ve assembled the top ten private universities in Nigeria. The private institutions in Nigeria mentioned below have been sequentially numbered in no particular order.

Top 11 Private Universities in Nigeria and Their Fees

1. COVENANT UNIVERSITY

• Location: Ota, Ogun State

• School fees range from ₦950,500 to ₦1,002,500 yearly

The first on our list is the well-known Covenant University. This is a widely recognized private university in Nigeria. The high-quality education and excellence have established the school as the country’s premier. The university has also outgrown certain government universities in the country.

The Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) owns Covenant University. The University obtained its license on February 12, 2002, and formally opened on October 21, 2002.

Covenant University’s ideals include stringent Christian values, academic achievement, innovation, and a vibrant learning environment. Covenant University is the first Nigerian university to be ranked in the top 500 by Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Programs Offered at Covenant University:

• Faculty of Engineering

• College of Science and Technology

• College of Business and Social Sciences

• College of Leadership Development Studies

• College of Agricultural Sciences

• College of Health and Medical Sciences

2. Pan-Atlantic University

• Location: Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos

• School Fees Range: Over 3 Million Naira

Pan-Africa University is one of the leading business schools in Nigeria. Pan-African University took its current name in 2002, replacing Lagos Business School. Pan-African University’s name was changed again in May 2013, this time to Pan-Atlantic University.

The university was inspired by the ideals of St. Josemaría Escrivá, Opus Dei, a Spanish Roman Catholic priest who founded Opus Dei, an organization of laypeople and priests committed to teaching that God invites everyone to holiness and that everyday life should lead to it.

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3. Afe Babalola University

• Location: Ado Ekiti

• School Fees Range: ₦800,500 – ₦2,500,000

Afe Babalola University is another top-rated private university in Nigeria, with its name established after a great Nigerian philanthropist and lawyer, Afe Babalola. The university is well known for its high-quality education and hands-on learning opportunities.

One thing that separates this university from others is its emphasis on practical education and professional growth. Their curriculum includes hands-on learning experiences and industry collaborations to ensure that students are well-prepared for their future jobs.

4. Joseph Ayo Babalola University

• Location: Osun State

• School Fees Range: 500,000–800,000

Joseph Ayo Babalola institution, or JABU for short, is a private institution in Osun State. It is operated by the Apostolic Church of Christ (CAC). The institution is named after Joseph Ayo Babalola, the first spiritual leader of the Apostolic Church of Christ.

The university contains many colleges, including Law, Environmental Science, Natural Sciences, and Management Sciences. Students at this institution are expected to live modestly, with a focus on biblical ideals. In addition, JABU has been a pioneer in Nigerian entrepreneurial education.

Following the success of JABU’s Entrepreneurship Scheme, the National Universities Commission made it compulsory for general studies, including entrepreneurship, in several degree programs in Nigeria.

5. Babcock University

• Location: Lishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria

• School Fees Range: ₦450,500 – ₦1,902,500

Babcock University is a famous private university based in Nigeria. It is widely recognized for its strong reputation and dedication to excellence. Babcock University is another church-affiliated university. The Seventh-day Adventist Church owns the church, and the university is well-known for its unconventional management techniques.

Although many Nigerian institutions still hold traditional ideas on school management, Babcock University has consistently implemented measures that improve the institution and its students. This university frequently changes its infrastructure to improve the growth of its pupils.

Academic Programs Offered at Babcock University

• health and medical sciences,

• basic and applied sciences,

• computer science and engineering,

• education and humanities,

• nursing, public and applied health,

• law and security studies.

6. Nile University of Nigeria

• Location: Abuja, Nigeria

• School fees Range: ₦1,350,500 – ₦5,902,500

Nile University is a top-rated private university in Nigeria based in Abuja. It is regarded as one of the top because of its reputation yo delivering high-quality education. They focus on professionalism as they draw top-tier faculty members who are specialists in their professions.

Nile University of Nigeria is regarded as one of Nigeria’s top private institutions, having a reputation for delivering high-quality education and graduating students who are well-rounded and ready to achieve in their chosen fields.

7. Bowen University

• Location: Osun State

• School Fees Range: ₦480,500 – ₦1,900,000

Bowen University (BU) is located in Iwo, Osun State, and it is Nigeria’s first private university church. Bowen University is a famous private institution in Nigeria that also serves as the country’s Federal Private University.

The Bowen academic institution also has some of the most competent instructors in the country, owing to its proximity to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and Ibadan University.

The Bowen University claims the following:

• School of Medicine,

• Faculty of Law,

• and a postgraduate school in addition to its already extensive catalog of undergraduate courses.

8. Igbinedion University

• Location: Edo State

• School Fees Range: 715,000 – 3 million Naira per year

Igbinedion University was founded in 1999 and is located in the state of Edo, Nigeria. This is Nigeria’s biggest private university. That is to say, it is the world’s first private university, as well as one of the best in the country.

Igbinedion University was the first private institution in Sub-Saharan Africa to educate medical physicians, followed by Nigeria Law School, a highly rated private university, in 2006. The research institute has a student capacity of 5,000.

According to its origins, Igbinedion University was the first private university to have physicians in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to reports, it is Nigeria’s sixth-best private university.

The university provides approved undergraduate and postgraduate programs in law, medicine, natural and applied sciences, business and management studies, pharmacy, engineering, and the arts and social sciences.

9. Redeemer’s University

• Location: Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

• School Fees Range: ₦1,000,500 – ₦1,500,000

I studied at Redeemer’s University, and I can boldly tell you it’s one of the top-rated universities in Nigeria. Located in Ogun State, the university offers undergraduate and postgraduate studies in a variety of subjects. They include

• engineering

• sciences,

• arts,

• management,

• social sciences.

Redeemer’s University is owned by The Redeemed Christian Church of God. The university was established to solve the problem of quality tertiary education in Nigeria.

It continues to draw attention to the students’ spiritual, mental, and social life, which, as a result, draws excellent students from around the country and abroad.

Its emphasis on character development makes it an excellent option for students looking for high-quality education with values in a well-reformed environment. In all, Redeemer’s University remains one of Nigeria’s top-rated private universities.

10. American University Of Nigeria

• Location: Yola

• School Fees Range: ₦550,500 – ₦2,500,000

Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Vice President, launched the American University of Nigeria in 2005. The University was founded to construct a Nigerian version of the American University in Washington, DC. The curriculum, teaching techniques, and accreditation criteria are entirely American-style.

In 2015, AUN set a Guinness World Record for the most people crocheting at the same time. The university’s student body funded and arranged this initiative to raise awareness about the usage of non-biodegradable rubbish.

11. Landmark University

• Location: Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.

• School Fees Range: ₦650,000 – ₦1,500,000

Landmark University is a leading private university in Nigeria known for its academic excellence, cutting-edge technology, committed professors, and quality education. The university is located in Kwara State for undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

The learning environment of the university is favorable, which provides an atmosphere that promotes intellectual progress and personal development. The university instills godly characters and principles in its students. This approach ensures that graduates are both physically proficient and ethically decent.

Landmark University has top technology facilities for research work and practicals. This helps the professors and students participate in real-world issues and contribute to social growth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the top-rated private universities listed in this article offer students the opportunity to get high-quality education as they pursue their academic ambitions. These universities gained ground as respected and prominent schools, attracting students from a wide background.

They create a suitable learning environment for academic quality, cutting-edge technology, and a wide range of academic programs. They also emphasize character reformation and development, which distinguishes rh students from the rest.