Complete List of State Universities in Nigeria
Nigeria has several state-owned universities offering undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, medical, technical and education programmes in fields such as arts, sciences, engineering, medicine, agriculture, education, technology and social sciences. These institutions are established and funded by state governments to provide students with access to affordable higher education across the country’s 36 states.
If you are searching for the full list of all state universities in Nigeria for 2026, this guide contains everything you need to know.
What Are State Universities in Nigeria?
State universities in Nigeria are higher institutions established, managed and funded primarily by state governments. They are created to provide university education to residents and other students within and outside the state where they are located.
Like federal and private universities, state universities offer degree programmes approved by the appropriate regulatory authorities. Their programmes may cover disciplines such as:
- Accounting and business administration.
- Agriculture and environmental sciences.
- Arts and humanities.
- Education.
- Engineering and technology.
- Law.
- Medicine and health sciences.
- Natural and applied sciences.
- Social sciences.
State universities may be conventional, specialised, technical, medical or education-focused institutions. For example, some focus mainly on medical sciences, while others specialise in technology, agriculture or teacher education.
Full list of state universities in Nigeria in 2026
Below is the updated list of state universities in Nigeria for the 2026 academic session. Click on the name of each university listed below to get the full details such as cut off marks, courses, post-UTME, admission requirements, school fees, etc about the school.
| S/N | State university | Abbreviation | Location | Website | Year established |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rivers State University | RSU | Port Harcourt, Rivers State | rsu.edu.ng | 1979 |
| 2 | Ambrose Alli University | AAU | Ekpoma, Edo State | aauekpoma.edu.ng | 1980 |
| 3 | Abia State University | ABSU | Uturu, Abia State | abiastateuniversity.edu.ng | 1981 |
| 4 | Ekiti State University | EKSU | Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State | eksu.edu.ng | 1982 |
| 5 | Enugu State University of Science and Technology | ESUT | Enugu, Enugu State | esut.edu.ng | 1982 |
| 6 | Olabisi Onabanjo University | — | Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State | oouagoiwoye.edu.ng | 1982 |
| 7 | Lagos State University | LASU | Ojo, Lagos State | lasu.edu.ng | 1983 |
| 8 | Ladoke Akintola University of Technology | LAUTECH | Ogbomoso, Oyo State | lautech.edu.ng | 1990 |
| 9 | Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, formerly Benue State University | BSU | Makurdi, Benue State | bsum.edu.ng | 1992 |
| 10 | Delta State University | DELSU | Abraka, Delta State | delsu.edu.ng | 1992 |
| 11 | Imo State University | IMSU | Owerri, Imo State | imsu.edu.ng | 1992 |
| 12 | Adekunle Ajasin University | AAUA | Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State | aaua.edu.ng | 1999 |
| 13 | Prince Abubakar Audu University | — | Anyigba, Kogi State | ksu.edu.ng | 1999 |
| 14 | Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University | COOU | Uli, Anambra State | coou.edu.ng | 2000 |
| 15 | Ebonyi State University | EBSU | Abakaliki, Ebonyi State | ebsu.edu.ng | 2000 |
| 16 | Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology | — | Wudil, Kano State | kust.edu.ng | 2000 |
| 17 | Niger Delta University | NDU | Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State | ndu.edu.ng | 2000 |
| 18 | Adamawa State University | ADSU | Mubi, Adamawa State | adsu.edu.ng | 2002 |
| 19 | Nasarawa State University | NSUK | Keffi, Nasarawa State | nsuk.edu.ng | 2002 |
| 20 | University of Cross River State | UNICROSS | Calabar, Cross River State | crutech.edu.ng | 2004 |
| 21 | Gombe State University | GSU | Gombe, Gombe State | gsu.edu.ng | 2004 |
| 22 | Kaduna State University | KASU | Kaduna, Kaduna State | kasu.edu.ng | 2004 |
| 23 | Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University | IBBU | Lapai, Niger State | ibbu.edu.ng | 2005 |
| 24 | Plateau State University | PLASU | Bokkos, Plateau State | plasu.edu.ng | 2005 |
| 25 | Yobe State University | YSU | Damaturu, Yobe State | ysu.edu.ng | 2006 |
| 26 | Kebbi State University of Science and Technology | KSUSTA | Aliero, Kebbi State | ksusta.edu.ng | 2006 |
| 27 | Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University | UMYU | Katsina, Katsina State | umyu.edu.ng | 2006 |
| 28 | Osun State University | UNIOSUN | Osogbo, Osun State | uniosun.edu.ng | 2006 |
| 29 | Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology | — | Okitipupa, Ondo State | osustech.edu.ng | 2008 |
| 30 | Taraba State University | TSU | Jalingo, Taraba State | tsuniversity.edu.ng | 2008 |
| 31 | Kwara State University | KWASU | Malete, Kwara State | kwasu.edu.ng | 2009 |
| 32 | Sokoto State University | SSU | Sokoto, Sokoto State | ssu.edu.ng | 2009 |
| 33 | Akwa Ibom State University | AKSU | Ikot Akpaden, Akwa Ibom State | aksu.edu.ng | 2010 |
| 34 | Ignatius Ajuru University of Education | IAUE | Rumuolumeni, Rivers State | iaue.edu.ng | 2010 |
| 35 | Bauchi State University | — | Gadau, Bauchi State | basug.edu.ng | 2011 |
| 36 | Northwest University | — | Kano, Kano State | nwu.edu.ng | 2012 |
| 37 | First Technical University | TECH-U | Ibadan, Oyo State | tech-u.edu.ng | 2012 |
| 38 | Sule Lamido University | SLU | Kafin Hausa, Jigawa State | slu.edu.ng | 2013 |
| 39 | University of Medical Sciences | UNIMED | Ondo City, Ondo State | unimed.edu.ng | 2015 |
| 40 | Edo State University | — | Uzairue, Edo State | edouniversity.edu.ng | 2016 |
| 41 | Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University | — | Ideato, Imo State | komu.edu.ng | 2016 |
| 42 | University of Africa | — | Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State | uat.edu.ng | 2016 |
| 43 | Kashim Ibrahim University, formerly Borno State University | BOSU | Maiduguri, Borno State | — | 2016 |
| 44 | Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology | MAUSTECH | Abeokuta, Ogun State | — | 2017 |
| 45 | Zamfara State University | ZAMSUT | Talata Mafara, Zamfara State | — | 2018 |
| 46 | Bayelsa Medical University | BMU | Yenagoa, Bayelsa State | bmu.edu.ng | 2019 |
| 47 | University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences | — | Umuagwo, Imo State | uaes.edu.ng | 2019 |
| 48 | Confluence University of Science and Technology | CUSTECH | Osara, Kogi State | custech.edu.ng | 2020 |
| 49 | Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology | — | Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State | bouesti.edu.ng | 2020 |
| 50 | University of Delta | UNIDEL | Agbor, Delta State | unidel.edu.ng | 2021 |
| 51 | Delta University of Science and Technology | — | Ozoro, Delta State | dsust.edu.ng | 2021 |
| 52 | Dennis Osadebe University | — | Asaba, Delta State | dou.edu.ng | 2021 |
| 53 | Lagos State University of Education | LASUED | Ijanikin, Lagos State | — | 2022 |
| 54 | Lagos State University of Science and Technology | LASUSTECH | Ikorodu, Lagos State | — | 2022 |
| 55 | Shehu Shagari University of Education | — | Sokoto, Sokoto State | — | 2022 |
| 56 | State University of Medical and Applied Sciences | — | Igbo-Eno, Enugu State | — | 2022 |
| 57 | University of Ilesa | UNILESA | Ilesa, Osun State | — | 2022 |
| 58 | Emmanuel Alayande University of Education | — | Oyo, Oyo State | — | 2022 |
| 59 | Kogi State University | — | Kabba, Kogi State | — | 2023 |
| 60 | Abdulkadir Kure University | — | Minna, Niger State | — | 2023 |
| 61 | Kwara State University of Education | — | Ilorin, Kwara State | — | 2024 |
| 62 | Abdulsalam Abubakar University of Agriculture and Climate Action | — | Mokwa, Niger State | — | 2025 |
| 63 | Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science and Technology | — | Oferekpe, Ebonyi State | — | 2025 |
| 64 | Cross River University of Education and Entrepreneurship | — | Akampa, Cross River State | — | 2025 |
| 65 | Benue State University of Agricultural Science and Technology | — | Ihugh, Benue State | — | 2025 |
| 66 | University of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering | — | Ezza, Ebonyi State | — | 2025 |
| 67 | University of Innovation, Science and Technology | — | Omuma, Imo State | — | 2025 |
| 68 | Taraba State University of Tropical Agriculture, Science, Technology and Climate Action | — | Gembu, Taraba State | — | 2026 |
| 69 | Jigawa State University of Medical and Allied Health Sciences | — | Majia, Jigawa State | — | 2026 |
Over the years, many state governments have invested heavily in higher education by establishing universities focused on science, technology, medicine, agriculture, education, and entrepreneurship.
How to Choose a State University
Choosing the right state university requires more than selecting the institution closest to home. Prospective students should compare universities based on their academic interests, budget and long-term career goals.
1. Check the available courses
Confirm that the university offers your preferred course. You should also check whether the department is properly approved and whether the programme matches your career plans.
2. Consider the university’s location
Location affects accommodation, transportation, feeding and general living expenses. A university located close to your home may help reduce the cost of studying.
3. Compare school fees
State university fees vary from one institution to another. Before applying, check the current tuition, acceptance fee, registration charges and other compulsory payments on the university’s official website.
4. Review admission requirements
Compare the UTME subject combination, minimum scores, O’Level requirements, Direct Entry conditions and departmental cut-off marks for your chosen course.
5. Check facilities and learning resources
Libraries, laboratories, lecture halls, internet access, accommodation and teaching facilities can influence the quality of your academic experience.
6. Consider the academic calendar
A stable academic calendar is important because prolonged strikes or disruptions may affect the time required to complete your programme. Check recent information about academic activities before making a final decision.
7. Confirm the institution’s reputation
Consider the university’s academic record, graduate outcomes, student support services and reputation in your chosen field. However, students should avoid relying solely on rankings when making a decision.
Admission Requirements for State Universities in Nigeria
Admission requirements vary according to the university, course and admission route. However, most prospective students applying through UTME are expected to meet the following general requirements:
- Choose the university as a preferred institution during JAMB registration or change their institution where permitted.
- Obtain the required UTME score for the university and chosen course.
- Select the correct UTME subject combination for the intended programme.
- Possess the required O’Level credits, usually including English Language and Mathematics where applicable.
- Participate in the university’s post-UTME screening or admission exercise.
- Meet the departmental cut-off mark and other course-specific requirements.
- Upload valid academic and personal details to the relevant admission portals.
- Accept the admission offer through the appropriate platform where required.
- Pay the acceptance fee and complete the university’s registration process.
Direct Entry applicants may need qualifications such as a National Diploma, Higher National Diploma, National Certificate of Education, IJMB or an equivalent qualification. The exact requirements depend on the course and the university.
Candidates should always confirm the latest admission requirements from the official website of their preferred institution. Requirements, deadlines and screening procedures may change from one admission session to another.
Pros and Cons of State Universities in Nigeria
Pros of State Universities
- More affordable tuition: State universities are often less expensive than private universities, although fees differ among institutions.
- Wider access to education: They provide more opportunities for students who may not secure admission into federal universities.
- Convenient locations: Many state universities are located close to the communities they serve.
- Different types of programmes: Students can find conventional, technical, medical, agricultural and education-focused institutions.
- Local development opportunities: State universities contribute to the educational, social and economic development of their host states.
- Growing academic options: Many newer state universities are introducing specialised courses in technology, medicine, agriculture and environmental studies.
Cons of State Universities
- Possible academic disruptions: Some institutions may experience disruptions caused by funding challenges, industrial actions or administrative issues.
- Differences in facilities: The quality of laboratories, libraries, hostels and other facilities varies from one university to another.
- Changing school fees: Fees may increase when state governments revise funding policies or introduce new charges.
- Limited course availability in some institutions: Newer or specialised universities may not offer a wide range of programmes.
- Uneven administrative processes: Admission, registration and academic procedures may be more efficient in some institutions than in others.
- Accommodation challenges: Some universities may have limited on-campus accommodation, requiring students to rent privately.
Final Thoughts on State Universities in Nigeria
State universities in Nigeria play an important role in expanding access to higher education. They offer a wide range of programmes and are available in different locations across the country, making them an important option for students seeking affordable university education.
Before choosing a school, compare the available courses, admission requirements, school fees, location, facilities and academic calendar. Most importantly, confirm the latest information from the university’s official website before submitting an application.
