State universities in Nigeria are gradually taking their places in the university rankings in Nigeria and are competing with their Federal counterparts. Gone are the days when students upon registration for their UTME put them as second choice of preferred institution.
Universities are the ideal places and environments of learning in anywhere in the world so basic facilities that aids learning process must be put in place.
There are 36 states across the country so fighting to be recognized among the top 10 best state universities in Nigeria takes more than just having credible lecturers. Most states in Nigeria have their universities either tied to their names or a prominent and heroic personality from the state.
I have been to a couple of them. In this article, trying to list the top ten(10) best state universities in Nigeria and their school fees will not be an easy task to conduct.
Some of these state universities are very popular like their Federal counterparts while others are just modest places of learning if you are hoping to pursue a degree in any field of study. There are many things that must be taken into cognizance if you want to apply to any of the best states universities in Nigeria as seen on this list.
Then you need to settle for nothing less than the top ten. The other alternative would be for a private universities. I understand the fact that not everyone can attend a private university. So state universities are where we can reach.
However, I must caution you here as the state universities are not the same as their federal counterparts. Federal universities in Nigeria beat the states. I am writing from the little experience I have and NUC (Nigeria University Commission) overall comparison in the past 5 years. Most of our federal university lecturers still lecture at the state level. Yes they sometimes joggle their jobs!
Our top 10 best state universities for 2024 were chosen based on the following criteria:
First criterion for the ranking is their past records in terms of quality of students graduating yearly
Secondly, quality of lectures, that its, number of professors and Ph.D holders
Thirdly, Size of the school
Fourthly, availability of adequate learning facilities like lecture halls, working public address systems and conducive learning environment
Lastly, based on popularity.
I never arranged them but just listed them as I discovered that its easier this way. I believe that you will find the best state universities in Nigeria useful.
Top 10 Best State Universities In Nigeria And Their School Fees 2024
TOP 10 BEST STATE UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA AND THEIR SCHOOL FEES FOR 2024/2025 SESSION
In no particular order:
1. RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (RSUST)
The Rivers State University of Science and Technology is one of the few state universities in Nigeria that is mainly focused on science and engineering technology related courses. The school was originally established in 1972 and was initially referred to as Rivers State College of Science and Technology and 1980 it was transformed and changed to Rivers State University of Science and Technology.
RSUST is located at Nkpolu-Oroworukwo in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, Nigeria. It is the first Technological University in Nigeria and the first state owned State University in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The When ranking a university, we also look at the staff strength and size of the University as it is a compulsory criteria. RSUST has a staff strength of 1,870 and a student population of about 24,500. The University is ranked on the 16th position among the 80 Universities in Nigeria but ranked among the top 10 state universities in Nigeria. Some refer to it as the best state university in Nigeria for science and engineering courses.
RSUST School fees for 2024/2025 is approximately N50,000 to 55,000 for Non- indigenous students and 25,000 for for indigenous students. You can read more on RSUST school fees.
2. LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY (LASU)
Gone are the days of recurrent strikes by students and lecturers crippled academic activities in LASU. Since the change of the VC, there’s been a smooth running of academic activities in the school which has placed it among not just the top 10 state universities but as one of the best state universities in Nigeria.
LASU has a student population of over forty thousand (40,000) that apply for admission every academic session. The university also offers courses for Undergraduate and Postgraduate level including the prestigious MBA programme. The University is rated among the best state universities to study Medicine and surgery as well as Law as a course. This is largely due to the fact that the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital as well as the Nigerian Law School are both very accessible to these categories of students.
LASU School fees for 2024/2025 is N57,040.00, Acceptance fee, N20,000 for both indigenes and non-indigenes
3. PLATEAU STATE UNIVERSITY (PLASU)
Who says the middle belters are not educationally sound? they boast of some of the best lecturers in various disciplines which automatically ranks the institution as one of the best state university in Nigeria despite being new when compared to her state counterparts.
PLASU was established in 2005 but did not gain its accreditation status from the National University Commission (NUC) until May 2016. Upon gaining its full accreditation, 18 courses were approved in the University and this move instilled the needed confidence from fresh and returning students. The school is well equipped to run both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Part Time and diploma programmes are also available there for interested candidates.
PLASU school fees for fresh Indigenous students for 2024/2025 is N36,000 Naira While Non-Indigenes pay as much as – N70,000 Naira. To know more about the school and their tuition fee, read more HERE.
4. AMBROSE ALI UNIVERSITY EKPOMA EDO STATE (AAU EKPOMA)
Talk about years of experience in the field, AAU Ekpoma, located in Ekpoma, Edo state has got it. The school is popularly known as Ekpoma. Initially known for cult activities until the change of their VC and there was serious overhauling of the entire system the school bounced back even better. Today they are particularly known to be one of the best state universities in Nigeria especially to study Law as a course.
AAU Ekpoma revised school fees starts from 102,000 to 186,000 Naira pending on the course. I have made available, the full break breakdown of their school fees for 2024/2025 HERE, it would be helpful for candidate who intend choosing this school to further their education.
If you are looking at applying for admission either for undergraduate or postgraduate level, we advise you to confirm their tuition fee. Quite affordable irrespective of the courses being offered.
5. ENUGU STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (ESUT)
The history of this school dates back to 1980 when it was known as ASUSTECH. It is one of the few state university of technology in the east. ESUT fall within the top 10 best state universities in Nigeria according to NUC recent ranking of Universities, their school fees is N215,000 for fresh students and this included an acceptance fee of 25,000 and development fee of 60,000. There is also a charge of 10,500 naira for late payment. Check HERE for the full school fees breakdown per course.
ESUT has a student capacity of over 40,000 and the school is sited on a 500 hectares (1,200 acres) within Enugu township. There are 11 faculties and over 60 courses offered in Enugu state university of science and technology (ESUT). ESUT is known to be good for courses like MLS, Civil Engineering, Nursing, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Chemical Engineering and other science courses.
Just like other state universities, ESUT offer both graduate courses and undergraduate programmes and are known for their fast academic session. ESUT might be a state university but they have all it takes to compete with their federal counterparts which makes them one of the best state universities in Nigeria till date.
6. EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY, ADO EKITI (EKSU)
Ekiti state university is one of the schools with the fastest academic calendar in Nigeria and one with the most professors in various fields, not forgetting their standard despite being a state owned institution. EKSU managed to be among the list of best state universities in Nigeria. Kudos to them. The school was established as Obafemi Awolowo University, Ado-Ekiti on 30 March 1982 by the administration of late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, name was further changed to Ondo State University in 1985 and subsequently changed again to University of Ado-Ekiti in November 1999 and in September 2011 it was finally given its current name Ekiti State University.
EKSU runs both undergraduate and postgraduate full time and part time degree and diploma courses. You can check out the list of courses offered in EKSU. It has a student population of about 38,000 students over all with well experienced lecturers. The school environment is very conducive for learning though it can still be improved upon. Without doubt, this school is ranked as one of the top 10 best state universities in Nigeria,
EKSU School fees for undergraduate full time school fees 2024 starts from N95,000 to 312,000. Check HERE for the full school fees breakdown.
7. DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ABRAKA (DELSU)
Delta state university Abraka boasts of some of the best learning facilities as a state university, seated in a landmass of 332 acres and regarded as one of the biggest universities in Nigeria state-wise. Since most state universities are poorly funded by their respective state governments, DELSU being located in the oil rich region of the south-south geo-political zone in Nigeria, by all standards DELSU being in this region, is expected to be ranked among the top 10 best university in Nigeria but due to mismanagement of the resources by the state government, the supposed budget for education in Delta state is tampered with thereby affecting allocation to the university, notwithstanding it still ranks among the top 10 best state universities in Nigeria.
DELSU Acceptance fee for indigenes is 30,000 while non-indigenes acceptance fee is 40,000. Their degree school fees for Indigenes is from 84,600 Naira per student, while Non-Indigenes pay from 120,500 Naira and above per session depending on the course.
8. OLABISI ONABANJO UNIVERSITY, AGOIWOYE (OOU)
Not many are aware that Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOS) used to be known as Ogun State University. The university was established on the 7th of July, 1982. OOU is another state university that ranks on the list of best state university in Nigeria. There are 9 faculties and over eighty seven (87) courses offered in OOU including Nursing (newly accredited).
School fees for fresh students at OOU pay between N71,000 to about N180,000 depending on the faculty. Medicine and surgery pays the highest. You can check out OOU full breakdown of their tuition fee for fresh and returning students.
9. CHUKWUEMEKA ODIMUGWU OJUKWU UNIVERSITY (COOU)
Even though the name has changed from Anambra state university (ANSU) to Chukwuemeka Odimugwu Ojukwu University (COOU). The name ANSU holds more water than the recent name so it is still widely referred to as ANSU even in JAMB.
COOU is not just one of the best state universities in Nigeria but the most popular in the east. There is this wide claim that Anambra and Imo state indigenes are the most educated in the eastern Nigeria though not verified yet.
COOU was established in 2000 and courses offered in this course are both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Here we listed COOU school fees for both fresh and returning students, 100Level pays N139,000, 200Level pays N129,000, 300Level students pay N106,000 while 400 and 500Level pays N76,000 respectively.
COOU ranks among the best state university in Nigeria despite having their fees being a bit on the high side. You can check HERE for full breakdown of COOU school fees.
10. OLUSEGUN AGAGU UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (OAUSTECH)
Also on the list is OAUSTECH, being a state university of Technology and formerly known as Ondo State University of Science and Technology, the school also ranks amongst the best state university in Nigeria. The school has a landmass of 255 acres. Well funded based on the allocation of resources from Osun state government especially during this current tenure of Governor Oluwarotimi Akreredolu compared to his predecessor.
OAUSTECH School fees here has been divided into fees for Indigenes and non-indigenes. It is only normal when non indigenes pay almost twice the fees of indigenes.
OAUSTECH current school fee for the freshers is now between N200,000 and N250,000 while returning students pay N70,000 irrespective of whether you are an indigene or non-indigene of Ondo state.
In this post (Top 10 Best States Universities In Nigeria And Their School Fees), please note that these figures are not cast in stones, plans are actually on ground by most universities in Nigeria to increase their school fees, this should not pose a problem as we will keep you posted should there be any changes to this effect by subscribing to our blog as seen on the page.
You can scroll down to the comment section for questions or input as this would be greatly appreciated.
