Full List of Oldest Universities in Nigeria

While a few of the oldest universities in Nigeria aren’t anything to be reckoned with, we can’t explain away the fact some of these oldest universities in Nigeria have a standard that was built over the years since their inception that deserves studying.

Also, for students of this present day who are undecided about which university to apply to you can take a cue from these supposed oldest universities in Nigeria and how they have morphed into the modern universities we all celebrate today.

List of Oldest Universities in Nigeria

University of Ibadan

Right from its earliest days as Yaba High College in 1932 to 1948, when it was renamed University of Ibadan, when the need for a university in Nigeria became clear, making the institution the very first tertiary institution in the country, University of Ibadan maintained its reputation as the first and best university in Nigeria.

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa who at the time was Nigeria’s prime minister, served as the school’s Chancellor, and Kenneth Dike, as the university’s first-ever Vice-Chancellor. In fact, the library at the University of Ibadan is named in his honor.

University of Nigeria, Nsukka

While the University of Ibadan is considered Nigeria’s first university, some believe that the fact that it was established before Nigeria’s independence in 1960 nullifies its title as Nigeria’s first university. Nonetheless, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka is only believed to be Nigeria’s first indigenous university.

After the law was passed in 1955 to open a university in the Eastern part of the country, five years later, Princess Alexandra of Kent did the honors of inaugurating the university. Dr. George Marion Johnson was the first to serve in the capacity of Vice-Chancellor.

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

With the establishment of a university in the Eastern part of the country, it was only fitting that there would be concerns emanating from the West for their university. In fact, at the time, there were no plans for the building of a university in the West. 

But, in 1962, the University of Ife was formed, and, of course, to the delight of the Yoruba people. On May 12, 1987, the University of Ife was renamed to the Obafemi Awolowo University, in honor of their hero who fought tooth and nail to see their desires become a reality.

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Ahmadu Bello University began as The School of Arabic Studies before it was renamed Ahmadu Bello University for Arabic and Islamic Studies. Incidentally, the North favored Zaria over Kano as the place where the first Northern university would be established making the instituion one of the oldest universities in Nigeria.

The university took over the facilities of the Nigerian College of Arts, Science, and Technology and even the Veterinary Research Institute at Vom, Jos.

University of Lagos

At the time Lagos was the capital of Nigeria, and there was a recommendation to have a new university in the Federal Capital. This was in a bid to train human hands that would be instrumental to Nigeria’s industrialization after independence.

The University of Lagos was finally completed in 1962. It is therefore considered one of the oldest universities in Nigeria.

University of Benin

The South-southern university was established in 1970 in Benin, Edo State, and became an approved university by the National Universities Council, a year later in 1971. Under the military governor of the Midwestern state, Colonel S. O. Ogbemudia, the name of the University of Benin was adopted in 1975.

University of Borno, Maiduguri

With the introduction of the third development plan by the Federal government in 1975, which emphasized the creation of many of the oldest universities in Nigeria we now have, the University of Borno was established. Presently, the Northeastern institution has over 34,000 students from all parts of the world.

University of Calabar

The University of Calabar is what you will call a second-generation university. In fact, the campus of the University of Calabar was first under the University of Nigeria until 1970. The south-southern university made history by being one of the first universities to automate the students’ registration process through the use of an online Portal. 

It was established in 1975 and is located in Cross River’s capital, Calabar.

University of Jos

What started as a satellite campus of the University of Ibadan progressed to become what is known as the University of Jos. The first set of students the university has were pre-degree students who enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program.

It was under the military administration of General Murtala Mohammed University, that the University of Jos became an autonomous institution. Professor Gilbert Onuaguluchi served as the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos.

University of Ilorin, Kwara state

The University of Ilorin was first a university college affiliated with one of oldest universities in Nigeria. This was under the auspices of the then-principal, Dr. T.N. Tamuno. It was only in 1975 that a decree was issued to make the college an independent university. Two years down the line, it became a fully independent university, and Professor O.O. Akinkugbe served as the institution’s first Vice-Chancellor.

Conclusion

We can see that regardless of how old many of these oldest universities in Nigeria are, they have shown over the years to be progressive in resources and even educational facilities.