Universities in Nigeria are the focal point of higher education in Nigeria. The country’s education system has evolved through various stages. At present, the Nigerian education system is moving towards a positive development with the emergence of university education in Nigeria. Currently there are almost 1 million students registered with above 200 institutions in Nigeria. Among them, 411,347 students are enrolled in 36 universities. Three types of universities currently exist in Nigeria, the federal universities, state universities and private universities.
History of Universities in Nigeria
Nigerian higher education originated with the establishment of the Yaba Higher College by the colonial government in 1934. The federal government established a new university in the city of Lagos in 1962. The government of the Northern Region also founded a new university in the same year. The Western Region government too, launched its own university at Ile-Ife in 1962, inspite of already having two federal universities in its region. The University of Benin was established in 1970, and with this, the first stage of university development in Nigeria came to an end.
In the second phase the government set up seven new universities from 1975-1977 and adopted the four regional universities in 1975. Seven state universities, five new federal universities of technology, and two new federal universities of agriculture emerged in the period of 1979-1983.
Private Universities are a recent development in Nigerian education. Three private universities exist in Nigeria at present.
Important Universities in Nigeria
- Obafemi Awolowo University
It is one of the foremost private universities of Nigeria teaching administration, agriculture, arts, basic medical sciences, clinical sciences, dentistry, education, E.D.M, law, pharmacy, science, social sciences and technology.
- University of Lagos
This university is also among the most notable ones in Nigeria, offering undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees.
The other major universities in Nigeria include the University of Ibadan, the Olabisi Onabanjo University, and the Bayero University in Kano.
Most of the research work in Nigeria happens in the
Universities in Nigeria. There is a huge demand for faculty members and academic staff. The private universities in Nigeria are working towards achieving recognition and excellence.
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