Top 20 Best Private University in Nigeria 2025

Private universities in Nigeria now account for approximately 43% of all approved universities in the country. Although private universities admit fewer candidates compared to public universities, they provide a more personalized and intimate educational experience. Additionally, they offer a wide range of undergraduate degrees, including postgraduate degrees and professional qualifications.

With so many private options available, it can be challenging to determine which universities are the best. Therefore, it is essential to conduct thorough research before applying.

In this post, we will explore the top private universities in Nigeria that excel both academically and socially. This list is ranked according to THE World University Rankings and the achievements of each school.

1. Covenant University

Covenant University was founded in 2002 by the World Mission Agency and the Living Faith Church Worldwide. It has garnered numerous accolades, including being recognized as the top university in Nigeria by THE World University Rankings in 2025.

The university has four colleges which includes: The College of Business and Social Sciences; College of Leadership and Development Studies; College of Engineering, and the College of Science and Technology.

Location: Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦937,500 – ₦1,256,375

2. Landmark University

Landmark University also founded by the Living Faith Church Worldwide in 2011 was third on the best university in Nigeria by THE World Ranking University. The school focuses on agricultural sciences, engineering, and technology with a vision of raising a new generation of leaders through innovative and quality education

Location: Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦600,000 – ₦955,000

3. Babcock University

Babcock University is recognized as the first accredited private university in the country and the second most efficient according to NUC rankings.

Established in 1999 by the Seventh-day Adventist faith, Babcock University is one of the top universities in Nigeria that has a Medical Science and Law department.

Location: Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦904,129 – ₦1,539,990

4. Afe Babalola University

Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, is a non-for-profit private university founded by renowned Lawyer, Senior Advocate and philanthropist, Aare Afe Babalola, in 2009.

The university offers academic programmes in six colleges: College of Sciences, College of Law, College of Engineering, College of Social & Management, College of Medicine & Health Sciences and College of Post-graduate Studies

Location: Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦1,370,000 – ₦4,670,000

5. Redeemer’s University

Redeemer’s University, established in 2005, is owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The university has received significant recognition over the year; it was named the Best University in Life Sciences and Medicine in Nigeria by NURESDEF in 2016 and won the award for Best University in Research at the Nigeria Media Nite-Out Awards in 2021.

Location: Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦846,500 – ₦1,622,800

6. Godfrey Okoye University

Godfrey Okoye University, founded in 2009, is a leading private university in south-eastern Nigeria that strives for excellence in teaching, learning, and research. GO-University is ranked 147th in Africa, outperforming many other prestigious institutions and partnerships with 90 universities across the world.

Location: Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦581,200 – ₦1,200,000

7. Nile University of Nigeria

Nile University of Nigeria is a private multidisciplinary university established in 2009 and located in Abuja, Nigeria. It is a member of the Honoris United Universities Network and accredited by the National Universities Commission.

Nile University has agreements with 25 universities and 41 organizations. These partnerships provide students with opportunities for internships, mentorship, and exchange programs.

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦2,700,000 – ₦5,950,000

8. American University of Nigeria

The American University of Nigeria (AUN) was founded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, GCON, located in Yola the capital of Adamawa, Nigeria. It offers an American-style liberal arts higher education at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels.

The University is being recognized as Africa’s first development university, which offers international undergraduate and graduate programs.

Location: Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦2,442,000 – ₦3,511,200

9. Pan-Atlantic University

Pan-Atlantic University is a non-profit educational institution located in Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria. The institution was founded in 2002 and offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields.

Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) was ranked #176-200 in the QS International Trade Ranking.

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦3,716,823 – ₦4,303,731.25

10. Caleb University

Caleb University, established in 2007, is a center for teaching, learning, and research, consistently ranked among the top 10 most sought-after private universities in Nigeria.

In the 2024 World University Ranking by Times Higher Education, the university was ranked 18th out of 272 public and private universities in Nigeria. Additionally, the school received the Living Legacy Platinum-Gold Award for Outstanding Innovations, Youth Development, and Social Impact.

Location: Lagos State, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦969,000 – ₦2,423,000

11. Fountain University, Osogbo

Founded in 2007 by the Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria, Fountain University is one of the leading faith-based tertiary Institutions located in Osogbo, Nigeria. With four Colleges in operation as well as the School of Post-graduate Studies.

Location: Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦468,000 – ₦1,309,000

12. Bowen University

Bowen is one of the oldest private institution of higher education in Nigeria, established in 2001 by the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC). The school houses the world’s first and only deployed Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (Super DARN) around the equator.

Location: Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦727,900 – ₦4,600,000

13. Lead City University

Lead City University is the first private university in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, established in 2005. The university offers a variety of courses in fields such as Social Sciences, Law, Applied Sciences, and Information and Communication Technology. It provides a conducive learning environment with programs available at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Location: Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦525,000 – ₦5,525,000

14. Mountain Top University

Mountain Top University, founded in 2015 by the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries. MTU was ranked first among Nigerian universities in the World Impact Ranking. It was also ranked: Second in SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Fifth in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) , and Fourth overall in the Impact Rankings.

Location: Makogun, Ogun State, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦490,000 – ₦892,000

15. Baze University

Baze university was established in 2011 and received its provisional license from the National Universities Commission (NUC) on 7 March of the same year. Each year baze university award $20,000 prize to its best-graduating student.

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦1,610,000 – ₦5,025,000

16. African University of Science and Technology (AUST)

The African University of Science and Technology (AUST) is a Pan-African institution that was established in 2007 following a request from several African Heads of State. This initiative was inspired by a call from the late President Nelson Mandela of South Africa for the World Bank and the African Union to collaborate in creating strong Pan-African centers of excellence, aimed at enhancing sub-Saharan Africa’s capacity in science and technology.

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦1,500,000

17. Afe Babalola University

Bells University of Technology

Bells University of Technology, also known as Bellstech, is the first private university of technology established in Nigeria established by the Bells Educational Foundation. It was granted an operational license by the Federal Government on 9th June 2005 and started operating in July 2005. The School ranked 12th in Nigeria and in the 51–60 Belt by the Times Higher Education THE – Sub-Saharan

Location: Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦991,200 – ₦1,444,950

18. Al-Hikmah University

Al-Hikmah University is an Islamic university located in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. It was established in 2005 by the Abdur-Raheem Oladimeji Islamic Foundation (AROIF). In 2021, Al-Hikmah University’s library won the ProQuest Award for the “Better and Most used” subscribed databases. It was the only private university library in Nigeria to win the award.

Location: Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦350,000 – ₦1,248,750

19. Veritas University

Veritas University is a private institution located in Abuja, Nigeria, founded in March 2002 by the Catholic Church. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs, as well as short courses and professional certificates. The school was ranked among 11 universities in Nigeria for the first time in the THE Impact Rankings on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

School Fees: ₦1,179,000 – ₦4,063,000