FULL LIST: Top 10 Best Private Nigerian Universities According to Latest Ranking
- The 2026 AD Scientific Index placed Covenant University at the top of Nigeria’s private university rankings
- Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria recorded a rapid rise in global research performance
- Private universities expanded Nigeria’s research footprint as public institutions faced funding and operational pressures
Nigeria’s private higher education space is experiencing renewed visibility as fresh data places several institutions on a rising trajectory in global academic performance.
The latest 2026 AD Scientific Index, which evaluates universities using real-time research and faculty metrics, shows steady gains for private institutions despite long-standing gaps in Nigeria’s public education ecosystem, Business Africa reported.
Source: Twitter
The ranking confirms that Nigeria now has 310 universities. Out of this number, 124 are privately owned institutions that are gradually securing stronger research relevance through improved output, competitive staffing and expanded laboratory capacity.
Private universities record new research strides
The report also reviews research institutes, companies and teaching hospitals, reflecting how education and industry are becoming more interconnected.
Although many institutions still contend with funding gaps and infrastructure challenges, the data shows that private universities are driving a growing share of Nigeria’s scientific productivity.
Covenant University leads the category among private institutions. The institution, located in Ota, secured the number one private position nationally and placed 221st in the global table. Its achievement is linked to the strong performance of researchers ranked in the top global percentile.
Officials say continued investment in engineering and technology programmes is shaping the school’s influence.
Younger institutions experience rapid growth
Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria in Kano sits in second place. The university was established in 2021 and has quickly moved up the ladder. Its expanding research activity is supported by faculty recruitment, new academic centres and a growing number of postgraduate programmes.
Other institutions that made notable appearances include Afe Babalola University in Ado Ekiti, Redeemer’s University in Ede and Bowen University in Iwo. These schools continue to build modern research facilities and attract international linkages that support advanced training.
Below is the list of Nigeria best privately owned ivory towers:
- Covenant University
- Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN)
- Afe Babalola University
- Redeemer’s University
- Bowen University
- Landmark University
- Bells University of Technology
- African University of Science and Technology
- Babcock University
- Augustine University Ilara Epe
Full list of best schools in Africa
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Covenant University has secured the top position in the 2026 Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings, marking a major milestone for Nigerian and African higher education.
The latest table places the Ogun-based institution first in Nigeria, first on the continent, and 49th worldwide, making it the only African university to appear in the global top 50.
Source: UGC
The ranking, released on Thursday, November 20, reflects how universities apply cross-disciplinary approaches to science-based problems. The methodology assesses how institutions merge fields such as engineering, medicine, social sciences, law, and education in their research output and overall academic structure.
You can see the full list here.
Top 11 countries with largest Christian population
Legit.ng earlier reported that Christianity remained the world’s largest religion in 2025, with an estimated 2.2 billion followers globally.
That figure translates to nearly one in every four people alive today identifying as Christian.
While the faith originated in the Middle East over two millennia ago, its demographic heart has shifted dramatically, now spanning continents and cultures across the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia.
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Source: Legit.ng
