Full List of Private Universities in Nigeria (2026 Updated)

When talking about list of all schools in Nigeria, Private universities in Nigeria have become increasingly popular because of their stable academic calendars, modern learning facilities, smaller class sizes, and especially reduced strike interruptions, when compared to some of these federal tertiary institutions.

Over the years, the number of private universities in Nigeria has grown rapidly as more institutions receive approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC). As of 2026, there are sum total of 168 private universities in Nigeria, all the 168 are accredited by the NUC.

In this guide, you will discover:

Full list of accredited private universities in Nigeria
Top private universities in Nigeria
Affordable private universities in Nigeria
Pros and cons of private universities
Admission requirements
Popular courses offered in private universities in Nigeria

If you also want to compare other university categories, check our related guides on:

Full List of Private Universities in Nigeria (2026)

Below is the updated list of all the 168 accredited private universities in Nigeria approved by the NUC as of 2026, and their locations. Click on the name of each school below to get full details such as the cut off mark, Post-UTME, admission requirements, courses, etc about the school.

Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo — located in Ogun State.
Igbinedion University, Okada — located in Edo State.
Madonna University, Okija — located in Anambra State.
Bowen University, Iwo — located in Osun State.
Benson Idahosa University, Benin City — located in Edo State.
Covenant University, Ota — located in Ogun State.
Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos — located in Lagos State.
American University of Nigeria, Yola — located in Adamawa State.
Ajayi Crowther University, Ibadan — located in Oyo State.
Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin — located in Kwara State.
Al-Qalam University, Katsina — located in Katsina State.
Bells University of Technology, Ota — located in Ogun State.
Bingham University, New Karu — located in Nasarawa State.
Caritas University, Enugu — located in Enugu State.
Crawford University, Igbesa — located in Ogun State.
Crescent University — located in Ogun State.
Kwararafa University, Wukari — located in Taraba State.
Lead City University, Ibadan — located in Oyo State.
Novena University, Ogume — located in Delta State.
Redeemer’s University, Ede — located in Osun State.
Renaissance University, Enugu — located in Enugu State.
University of Mkar, Mkar — located in Benue State.
Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji — located in Osun State.
Achievers University, Owo — located in Ondo State.
Caleb University, Lagos — located in Lagos State.
Fountain University, Oshogbo — located in Osun State.
African University of Science and Technology, Abuja — located in the FCT.
Obong University, Obong Ntak — located in Akwa Ibom State.
Salem University, Lokoja — located in Kogi State.
Tansian University, Umunya — located in Anambra State.
Veritas University, Abuja — located in the FCT.
Wesley University, Ondo — located in Ondo State.
Western Delta University, Oghara — located in Delta State.
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti — located in Ekiti State.
Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu — located in Enugu State.
Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja — located in the FCT.
Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu — located in Osun State.
Paul University, Awka — located in Anambra State.
Rhema University, Obeama-Asa — located in Rivers State.
Wellspring University, Evbuobanosa — located in Edo State.
Adeleke University, Ede — located in Osun State.
Baze University — located in the FCT.
Landmark University, Omu-Aran — located in Kwara State.
Glorious Vision University, Ogwa — located in Edo State.
Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin — located in Ondo State.
Evangel University, Akaeze — located in Ebonyi State.
Gregory University, Uturu — located in Abia State.
McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo — located in Ogun State.
Southwestern University, Oku Owa — located in Ogun State.
Augustine University — located in Lagos State.

Chrisland University — located in Ogun State.
Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo — located in Delta State.
Hallmark University, Ijebu-Itele — located in Ogun State.
Hezekiah University, Umudi — located in Imo State.
Kings University, Ode Omu — located in Osun State.
Michael and Cecilia Ibru University — located in Delta State.
Mountain Top University — located in Ogun State.
Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene — located in Akwa Ibom State.
Summit University, Offa — located in Kwara State.
Christopher University, Mowe — located in Ogun State.
KolaDaisi University, Ibadan — located in Oyo State.
Anchor University, Ayobo — located in Lagos State.
Dominican University, Ibadan — located in Oyo State.
Legacy University, Okija — located in Anambra State.
Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo — located in Cross River State.
Ojaja University, Eiyenkorin — located in Kwara State.
Coal City University, Enugu — located in Enugu State.
Clifford University, Owerrinta — located in Abia State.
Spiritan University, Nneochi — located in Abia State.
Precious Cornerstone University, Oyo — located in Oyo State.
PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt — located in Rivers State.
Atiba University, Oyo — located in Oyo State.
Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences, Ijanikin — located in Lagos State.
Skyline University, Kano — located in Kano State.
Greenfield University, Kaduna — located in Kaduna State.
Dominion University, Ibadan — located in Oyo State.
Trinity University — located in Ogun State.
Westland University, Iwo — located in Osun State.
Topfaith University, Mkpatak — located in Akwa Ibom State.
Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese — located in Kwara State.
Maranatha University, Lagos — located in Lagos State.
Ave Maria University, Piyanko — located in Nasarawa State.
Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila — located in Kano State.
Mudiame University, Irrua — located in Edo State.
Havilla University, Nde-Ikom — located in Cross River State.
Claretian University of Nigeria, Nekede — located in Imo State.
Karl-Kumm University, Vom — located in Plateau State.
James Hope University, Lagos — located in Lagos State.
Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, Kano — located in Kano State.
Capital City University, Kano — located in Kano State.
Ahman Pategi University — located in Kwara State.
University of Offa — located in Kwara State.
Mewar International University, Masaka — located in Nasarawa State.
Edusoko University, Bida — located in Niger State.
Philomath University, Kuje — located in the FCT.
Khadija University, Majia — located in Jigawa State.
Anan University, Kwall — located in Plateau State.
North Eastern University, Gombe — located in Gombe State.
Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri — located in Borno State.
Margaret Lawrence University, Umunede — located in Delta State.

Khalifa Isiyaku Rabiu University, Kano — located in Kano State.
Sports University, Idumuje-Ugboko — located in Delta State.
Baba Ahmed University, Kano — located in Kano State.
Saisa University of Medical Sciences and Technology — located in Sokoto State.
Nigerian British University, Asa — located in Abia State.
Peter University, Achina-Onneh — located in Anambra State.
Newgate University, Minna — located in Niger State.
European University of Nigeria, Duboyi — located in the FCT.
NorthWest University — located in Sokoto State.
Rayhaan University — located in Kebbi State.
Muhammad Kamalud University — located in Kwara State.
Sam Maris University — located in Ondo State.
Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye — located in Ogun State.
Lux Mundi University, Umuahia — located in Abia State.
Maduka University, Ekwegbe — located in Enugu State.
PeaceLand University — located in Enugu State.
Amadeus University, Amizi — located in Abia State.
Vision University, Ikogbo — located in Ogun State.
Azman University — located in Kano State.
Huda University, Gusau — located in Zamfara State.
Franco British International University — located in Kaduna State.
Canadian University of Nigeria — located in the FCT.
Gerar University of Medical Science, Imope-Ijebu — located in Ogun State.
British Canadian University, Obufu — located in Cross River State.
Hensard University, Toru-Orua, Sagbama — located in Bayelsa State.
Amaj University, Kwali — located in the FCT.
Phoenix University, Agwada — located in Nasarawa State.
Wigwe University, Isiokpo — located in Rivers State.
Hillside University of Science and Technology, Okemesi — located in Ekiti State.
University on the Niger, Umunya — located in Anambra State.
Elrazi Medical University, Kano — located in Kano State.
Venite University, Iloro-Ekiti — located in Ekiti State.
Shanahan University, Onitsha — located in Anambra State.
The Duke Medical University, Calabar — located in Cross River State.
Mercy Medical University, Iwo — located in Ogun State.
Cosmopolitan University, Abuja — located in the FCT.
Miva Open University, Abuja — located in the FCT.
Iconic Open University — located in Sokoto State.
West Midlands Open University, Ibadan — located in Oyo State.
Al-Muhibbah Open University, Abuja — located in the FCT.
El-Amin University, Minna — located in Niger State.
College of Petroleum and Energy Studies — located in Kaduna State.
Jewel University — located in Gombe State.
Prime University, Kuje — located in the FCT.
Nigerian University of Technology and Management, Apapa — located in Lagos State.
Al-Bayan University, Ankpa — located in Kogi State.
Lighthouse University, Evbuobanosa — located in Edo State.
African University of Economics, Abuja — located in the FCT.
New City University, Ayetoro — located in Ogun State.
University of Fortune, Igbotako — located in Ondo State.
Eranova University, Abuja — located in the FCT.
Minaret University, Ikirun — located in Osun State.
Abdulrasaq Abubakar Toyin University, Oke-Ogba, Ganmo — located in Kwara State.
Southern Atlantic University, Uyo — located in Akwa Ibom State.
Lens University, Ilemona — located in Kwara State.
Monarch University, Iyesi-Ota — located in Ogun State.
Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin City — located in Edo State.
Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management — located in Lagos State.
Kevin Eze University, Mgbowo — located in Enugu State.
Tazkiyah University, Kaduna — located in Kaduna State.
Leadership University, Abuja — located in the FCT.
Jimoh Babalola University, Ilorin — located in Kwara State.
Bridget University, Mbaise, Okirika-Nweke — located in Imo State.
Greenland University, Jalingo — located in Taraba State.
JEFAP University, Suleja — located in Niger State.
Azione Verde University, Amaigbo — located in Imo State.
Unique Open University, Ojo — located in Lagos State.
American Open University, Abeokuta — located in Ogun State.

What Are Private Universities in Nigeria?

Private universities in Nigeria are higher institutions owned and managed by individuals, organizations, religious bodies, or private investors rather than the government.

Unlike federal and state universities, private universities mainly depend on tuition fees and private funding for operations.

Many students now prefer private universities because they often offer:

Stable academic calendars
Better learning environments
Smaller class sizes
Faster graduation periods
Modern facilities and technology-driven education

However, tuition fees in private universities are usually much higher than those in public universities.

Popular Private Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

Some private universities in Nigeria are widely respected for academic quality, infrastructure, international partnerships, and graduate employability.

Popular private universities include:

Covenant University
Afe Babalola University (ABUAD)
Babcock University
Nile University of Nigeria
American University of Nigeria (AUN)
Bowen University
Pan-Atlantic University
Redeemer’s University

Several of these institutions consistently rank among the best universities in Nigeria.

Pros of Private Universities in Nigeria

Stable academic calendar
Faster graduation
Better learning environment
Smaller class sizes
Modern infrastructure
Reduced strike interruptions
Improved security in many campuses
Strong ICT and digital learning systems
International collaborations in some schools

Cons of Private Universities in Nigeria

Expensive tuition fees
High accommodation costs
Strict rules and regulations in some schools
Limited admission access for low-income students
Additional compulsory fees in certain institutions

Affordable Private Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

Although private universities are generally expensive, some institutions are considered relatively affordable compared to others.

Examples include:

Al-Hikmah University
Oduduwa University
Ajayi Crowther University
Caritas University
Southwestern University
Fountain University
Tansian University

School fees usually vary depending on:

Course of study
Accommodation
Academic level
Laboratory and professional charges

Admission Requirements for Private Universities in Nigeria

Most private universities require candidates to:

Register for JAMB UTME
Meet the university cut-off mark
Have at least five O’Level credits
Participate in screening exercises

However, many private universities also accept alternative admission pathways such as IJMB, JUPEB, pre-degree, and Direct Entry programmes.

If you are unfamiliar with IJMB, read our detailed guide on What Is IJMB Programme?

You can also explore more admission pathways in our article on Top 6 Alternatives to JAMB for University Admission in Nigeria 2026.

Federal vs State vs Private Universities in Nigeria

University Type	Pros	Cons
Federal Universities	Lower school fees, strong reputation, wider course options, nationwide recognition	Competitive admission, possible strikes, overcrowded classrooms
State Universities	Easier admission opportunities, lower competition in some states, flexible admission policies	Higher fees for non-indigenes, funding challenges, uneven infrastructure
Private Universities	Stable academic calendar, better facilities, smaller class sizes, faster graduation	Expensive tuition fees, strict rules in some schools, limited affordability

To compare all university categories fully, check our guide on List of All Universities in Nigeria.

Final Thoughts on Private Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

Private universities in Nigeria continue to expand rapidly as more students seek stable academic calendars, quality education, and modern learning environments.

Before applying to any private university, make sure you:

Confirm NUC accreditation
Compare tuition fees
Review hostel facilities
Check available courses
Verify admission requirements

You should also explore our related guides:

These guides will help you compare all available higher education options in Nigeria before making your final admission decision.