Full List of Federal Universities in Nigeria
Federal universities in Nigeria are higher institutions established and funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria. They offer undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, technical, medical, agricultural, aviation, maritime and education programmes to students from different parts of the country.
This article provides a complete list of federal universities in Nigeria, including their abbreviations, locations, official websites and years of establishment. It also explains what federal universities are, how to choose one, general admission requirements, and the advantages and disadvantages of studying at a federal university.
What Are Federal Universities in Nigeria?
Federal universities in Nigeria are tertiary institutions owned and funded by the Federal Government. They are established to provide accessible and specialised higher education to students from all parts of the country.
Federal universities offer a wide range of academic programmes, including:
- Arts and humanities.
- Agriculture.
- Business and management.
- Education.
- Engineering and technology.
- Environmental sciences.
- Law.
- Medicine and health sciences.
- Natural sciences.
- Social sciences.
- Maritime and transportation studies.
- Aviation and aerospace studies.
Some federal universities are general institutions, while others focus on specific areas. For example, the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, focuses on petroleum and energy-related education, while the Nigerian Maritime University specialises in maritime studies.
| S/N | Federal university | Abbreviation | Location | Official website | Year established |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University | ATBU | Bauchi, Bauchi State | atbu.edu.ng | 1988 |
| 2 | Ahmadu Bello University | ABU | Zaria, Kaduna State | abu.edu.ng | 1962 |
| 3 | Bayero University | BUK | Kano, Kano State | buk.edu.ng | 1975 |
| 4 | Federal University, Gashua | FUGASHUA | Gashua, Yobe State | fugashua.edu.ng | 2013 |
| 5 | Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun | FUPRE | Effurun, Delta State | fupre.edu.ng | 2007 |
| 6 | Federal University of Technology, Akure | FUTA | Akure, Ondo State | futa.edu.ng | 1981 |
| 7 | Federal University of Technology, Minna | FUTMINNA | Minna, Niger State | futminna.edu.ng | 1982 |
| 8 | Federal University of Technology, Owerri | FUTO | Owerri, Imo State | futo.edu.ng | 1980 |
| 9 | Federal University, Dutse | FUD | Dutse, Jigawa State | fud.edu.ng | 2011 |
| 10 | Federal University, Dutsin-Ma | FUDMA | Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State | fudutsinma.edu.ng | 2011 |
| 11 | Federal University, Kashere | FUKASHERE | Kashere, Gombe State | fukashere.edu.ng | 2011 |
| 12 | Federal University, Lafia | FULAFIA | Lafia, Nasarawa State | fulafia.edu.ng | 2011 |
| 13 | Federal University, Lokoja | FULOKOJA | Lokoja, Kogi State | fulokoja.edu.ng | 2011 |
| 14 | Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike | AE-FUNAI | Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State | funai.edu.ng | 2011 |
| 15 | Federal University, Otuoke | FUOTUOKE | Otuoke, Bayelsa State | fuotuoke.edu.ng | 2011 |
| 16 | Federal University, Oye-Ekiti | FUOYE | Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State | fuoye.edu.ng | 2011 |
| 17 | Federal University, Wukari | FUWUKARI | Wukari, Taraba State | fuwukari.edu.ng | 2011 |
| 18 | Federal University, Birnin Kebbi | FUBK | Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State | fubk.edu.ng | 2013 |
| 19 | Federal University, Gusau | FUGUSAU | Gusau, Zamfara State | fugusau.edu.ng | 2013 |
| 20 | Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike | MOUAU | Umudike, Abia State | mouau.edu.ng | 1992 |
| 21 | Modibbo Adama University | MAU | Yola, Adamawa State | mautech.edu.ng | 1981 |
| 22 | National Open University of Nigeria | NOUN | Abuja, FCT | nou.edu.ng | 2002 |
| 23 | Nigeria Police Academy | POLAC | Wudil, Kano State | polac.edu.ng | 2013 |
| 24 | Nigerian Defence Academy | NDA | Kaduna, Kaduna State | nda.edu.ng | 1985 |
| 25 | Nnamdi Azikiwe University | UNIZIK | Awka, Anambra State | unizik.edu.ng | 1992 |
| 26 | Obafemi Awolowo University | OAU | Ile-Ife, Osun State | oauife.edu.ng | 1962 |
| 27 | University of Abuja | UNIABUJA | Gwagwalada, FCT | uniabuja.edu.ng | 1988 |
| 28 | Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta | FUNAAB | Abeokuta, Ogun State | unaab.edu.ng | 1988 |
| 29 | Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University | JOSTUM | Makurdi, Benue State | uam.edu.ng | 1988 |
| 30 | University of Benin | UNIBEN | Benin City, Edo State | uniben.edu.ng | 1970 |
| 31 | University of Calabar | UNICAL | Calabar, Cross River State | unical.edu.ng | 1975 |
| 32 | University of Ibadan | UI | Ibadan, Oyo State | ui.edu.ng | 1948 |
| 33 | University of Ilorin | UNILORIN | Ilorin, Kwara State | unilorin.edu.ng | 1975 |
| 34 | University of Jos | UNIJOS | Jos, Plateau State | unijos.edu.ng | 1975 |
| 35 | University of Lagos | UNILAG | Akoka, Lagos State | unilag.edu.ng | 1962 |
| 36 | University of Maiduguri | UNIMAID | Maiduguri, Borno State | unimaid.edu.ng | 1975 |
| 37 | University of Nigeria, Nsukka | UNN | Nsukka, Enugu State | unn.edu.ng | 1960 |
| 38 | University of Port Harcourt | UNIPORT | Port Harcourt, Rivers State | uniport.edu.ng | 1975 |
| 39 | University of Uyo | UNIUYO | Uyo, Akwa Ibom State | uniuyo.edu.ng | 1991 |
| 40 | Usmanu Danfodiyo University | UDUSOK | Sokoto, Sokoto State | udusok.edu.ng | 1975 |
| 41 | Nigerian Maritime University | NMU | Okerenkoko, Delta State | nmu.edu.ng | 2018 |
| 42 | Air Force Institute of Technology | AFIT | Kaduna, Kaduna State | afit.edu.ng | 2018 |
| 43 | Nigerian Army University, Biu | NAUB | Biu, Borno State | naub.edu.ng | 2018 |
| 44 | Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo | FUHSO | Otukpo, Benue State | — | 2020 |
| 45 | Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru | FUAZ | Zuru, Kebbi State | — | 2020 |
| 46 | Federal University of Technology, Babura | — | Babura, Jigawa State | — | 2021 |
| 47 | Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi | — | Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State | — | 2021 |
| 48 | Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare | FUHSA | Azare, Bauchi State | — | 2021 |
| 49 | Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun | — | Ila Orangun, Osun State | — | 2021 |
| 50 | David Nweze Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences | KDUMS | Uburu, Ebonyi State | kdums.edu.ng | 2022 |
| 51 | Admiralty University of Nigeria | ADUN | Ibusa, Delta State | adun.edu.ng | 2023 |
| 52 | Federal University of Transportation, Daura | FUTD | Daura, Katsina State | futd.edu.ng | 2022 |
| 53 | African Aviation and Aerospace University | AAAU | Abuja, FCT | aaau.edu.ng | 2023 |
| 54 | National University of Science and Technology | NUST | Abuja, FCT | — | 2023 |
| 55 | Federal University of Agriculture, Bassam-Biri | — | Bassam-Biri, Bayelsa State | — | 2023 |
| 56 | Federal University of Health Sciences, Kwale | — | Kwale, Delta State | — | 2023 |
| 57 | Federal University of Health Sciences, Katsina | — | Katsina, Katsina State | — | 2023 |
| 58 | Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi | — | Mubi, Adamawa State | — | 2023 |
| 59 | Federal University of Education, Zaria | — | Zaria, Kaduna State | — | 2023 |
| 60 | Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education | AIFUE | Owerri, Imo State | — | 2023 |
| 61 | Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education | YUMSFE | Kano, Kano State | — | 2023 |
| 62 | Adeyemi Federal University of Education | AFUEDO | Ondo, Ondo State | — | 2023 |
| 63 | Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu | FUAHSE | Enugu, Enugu State | fuahse.edu.ng | 2024 |
| 64 | Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences | FUMMSA | Abeokuta, Ogun State | fummsa.net | 2023 |
| 65 | Federal University of Education, Pankshin | — | Pankshin, Plateau State | — | 2023 |
| 66 | Federal University of Education, Kontagora | — | Kontagora, Niger State | — | 2023 |
| 67 | University of Maritime Studies | — | Oron, Akwa Ibom State | — | 2024 |
| 68 | Federal University of Environment and Technology | — | Tai Town, Rivers State | — | 2025 |
| 69 | Federal University of Applied Sciences | — | Kachia, Kaduna State | — | 2025 |
| 70 | Tai Solarin Federal University of Education | TASUFE | Ijagun, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State | — | 2025 |
| 71 | Federal University of Agriculture and Developmental Studies | — | Iragbiji, Osun State | — | 2025 |
| 72 | Federal University of Technology and Environmental Studies | — | Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State | — | 2025 |
| 73 | Federal University of Agriculture and Technology | — | Okeho, Oyo State | — | 2025 |
| 74 | Federal University of Health Science and Technology | — | Tsafe, Zamfara State | — | 2025 |
| 75 | Federal University of Agriculture and Technology | — | Obio-Akpa, Akwa Ibom State | — | 2025 |
| 76 | Federal University of Science and Technology | — | Epe, Lagos State | — | 2025 |
| 77 | Federal University of Science and Technology | FUST Kabo | Kabo, Kano State | fustkabo.edu.ng | 2025 |
How to Choose a Federal University
Choosing a federal university should be based on your course, career plans, budget and preferred location.
1. Confirm that your course is available
Check the university’s list of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Ensure that your preferred course is available and that the department meets the relevant accreditation requirements.
2. Consider the university’s location
Location affects accommodation, transportation, feeding and general living expenses. Students should consider whether they prefer to study close to home or in another part of the country.
3. Compare academic reputation
Consider the institution’s history, teaching quality, research activities, graduate outcomes and reputation in your chosen field.
4. Check the admission requirements
Review the university’s UTME subject combination, minimum score, O’Level requirements, Direct Entry requirements and post-UTME procedure.
5. Review available facilities
Important facilities include laboratories, libraries, lecture halls, internet services, teaching hospitals, workshops, hostels and recreational areas.
6. Check school fees and other charges
Although federal universities are often more affordable than private universities, students may still pay acceptance fees, registration charges, accommodation fees and departmental dues.
7. Consider the academic calendar
A stable academic calendar can help students complete their programmes on schedule. Prospective students should review recent information about academic activities before applying.
Admission Requirements for Federal Universities in Nigeria
Admission requirements differ according to the institution and course of study. However, candidates applying through UTME are generally expected to meet the following requirements:
- Register for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
- Select the preferred federal university during JAMB registration or change the institution through the approved process.
- Obtain the required UTME score for the selected university and course.
- Choose the correct UTME subjects 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 exercise when required.
- Meet the departmental cut-off mark.
- Upload accurate personal and academic information.
- Accept the admission offer through the appropriate admission platform.
- Pay the acceptance fee and complete the registration process.
Direct Entry candidates may apply with qualifications such as a National Diploma, Higher National Diploma, National Certificate of Education, IJMB or an equivalent qualification. The exact requirements depend on the university and programme.
Some specialised institutions may have additional conditions. For example, applicants to military, police, aviation, maritime, medical or technical institutions may be required to meet specific physical, academic or professional requirements.
Candidates should confirm current requirements directly from the official website of their preferred federal university because admission guidelines and deadlines may change.
Pros and Cons of Federal Universities in Nigeria
Pros of Federal Universities
- Affordable tuition: Federal universities are generally more affordable than most private universities.
- Wide range of courses: Many federal universities offer diverse programmes across several faculties.
- Experienced academic staff: Older federal institutions often have established academic departments and research centres.
- National student population: Students meet colleagues from different states, cultures and backgrounds.
- Strong alumni networks: Well-established federal universities often have large alumni communities in various industries.
- Specialised institutions: Some federal universities focus on areas such as agriculture, technology, medicine, petroleum, aviation and maritime studies.
- Access to research opportunities: Federal institutions may have research centres, laboratories and partnerships with public and private organisations.
Cons of Federal Universities
- Competitive admission: Popular federal universities often receive a large number of applications each year.
- Large student population: High enrolment may result in crowded lecture halls, hostels and administrative offices.
- Possible academic disruptions: Strikes, funding challenges and administrative issues may affect academic activities.
- Limited accommodation: Not every student is guaranteed university accommodation.
- Additional expenses: Students may pay several charges beyond tuition, including acceptance, registration, accommodation and departmental fees.
- Uneven facilities: The quality of infrastructure and learning resources varies from one federal university to another.
- Distance from home: Some students may need to relocate to another region, increasing transportation and living costs.
Conclusion
Federal universities in Nigeria provide students with access to affordable and diverse higher education programmes. They include traditional universities, technology institutions, agricultural universities, medical schools and specialised institutions for aviation, maritime and security studies.
Before applying, prospective students should compare the available courses, admission requirements, school fees, location, facilities and academic calendar. Applicants should also verify all information from the official website of their preferred federal university before making payment or submitting documents.
