University education in Nigeria has been regarded as the final stage in completing formal education in the country. The federal and state governments have taken up the responsibility of establishing and running universities in Nigeria. These universities are referred to as public universities and are funded by the government.
In recent times, however, private universities have become a new phenomenon. The government has approved the establishment of several universities that are privately owned by individuals or companies, and these universities have become the most preferred choice for those seeking higher education.
What is a Private University
A private university is one that is funded with tuition paid by students, investments made by individuals or organizations, and private donors, and not with money from taxpayers.
These are institutions owned by private individuals and companies and not by the government. They are, however, approved and regulated by the government. Private universities are usually run as business enterprises for the main purpose of making a profit while providing educational services for young adults.
Why attend a Private University in Nigeria
Private universities offer a wide range of benefits that may not be experienced when attending a public university, and they include:
Student-Teacher-Ratio
There are fewer classrooms and students, making communication among students and between students and their lecturers more difficult. No student is left behind because everyone is carried along at their own learning pace.
There is no chance of one student being lost in a massive crowd of students, which is a common feature with public universities. Each student is given particular attention, to ensure that they follow the flow of the lecture. The strengths and weaknesses of each student are identified in order to ascertain the areas that need improvement.
In addition, there is the certainty that the academic performance of the students will be the very best. This is because the students are given maximum and adequate attention, both in and outside the classroom, to enable them to reach their highest potential in their academic performance.
Good Infrastructures
It is often believed that a full university experience can easily be gotten at a private university. This is because such universities are well equipped with the best of facilities, lecturers are easily accessible to students who would need their assistance in any area whatsoever, there are a good number of recreational and extra-curricular activities being offered by the school, as well as accommodation spaces that are more than enough to serve every student of the school.
Private universities have proper and standard infrastructure put in place to enhance learning. These facilities may include conducive and well-furnished classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, up-to-date libraries, spacious hostels, etc.
These facilities are regularly maintained in order to ensure that they are all in good working condition for the students to use them. These are not easily obtained at public universities in Nigeria, mainly due to poor maintenance.
In order to fully enjoy these benefits, the students are expected to engage in as much activity as they can.
Competent Staff
The staff of private universities, whether academic or nonacademic, is well-trained and among the best of its kind. These employees are chosen on merit and their ability to provide the services for which they are compensated.
Religion specific
Students are allowed to freely express their beliefs because most of these private universities are religiously based. Students are allowed to worship the God that they believe in, whether they are Christians or Muslims, as no one is expected to hide their religious views or expectations. Most universities are created by religious organizations, which makes them religion specific and makes practicing such religion easier.
Academic Reputation
Attending private universities comes with some level of prestige because it is generally assumed that the education offered at private universities is usually of the highest quality. Whoever is known to attend a private university is given some level of respect and preference, because it is assumed that such a person is of a different species than others.
Additionally, most private universities are partners with or affiliates of foreign universities. This means that most of these private universities offer education using a foreign-based standard, to their students. This makes schooling at a Nigerian university the same thing as getting an education in a foreign country at a much lower price.
Not affected by constant economic changes
Those in private universities are not directly affected by policies that are put in place by the government, which may affect the educational sector. These universities are somewhat immune from the constant economic changes that occur in the country.
Financial incentives
Financial incentives are also offered by private universities. This could come in the form of scholarships, which are sometimes sponsored by the school or private individuals or companies, or as awards for academic performance or performance in other activities that are recognized and sometimes sponsored by the school.
Full list of Private Universities in Nigeria
Over the years, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Universities Commission, has approved several private universities in Nigeria.
These universities sometimes charge high prices for registration, as well as tuition fees. This can be attributed to the fact that the quality of education being offered is very high, plus the facilities being used are sometimes of world-class standards.
It is also a common belief in Nigeria that the higher the price, the better the quality will be.
Below is a list of private universities in Nigeria and their fees:
- American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State – 1.5 million to 3 million naira
- Paul University, Awka, Anambra State – 300 000 naira
- Veritas University, Abuja – 600 000 naira
- Obong University, Obong Ntak, Akwa Ibom State – 190 000 naira
- Achievers University, Owo – 420 000 naira
- Caleb University, Ilorin, Kwara State – 350 000 naira
- Renaissance University – 300 000 – 400 000 naira
- Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State – 300 000 – 400 000 naira
- Al-Hikmah University, Illorin, Kwara State – 350 000 naira
- Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State – 400 000 naira
- Rhema University, Aba, Abia State – 325 000 naira
- Babcock University, Ilishan Remo – 500,000 – 3 million naira
- Adeleke University, Ede – 350,000 naira
- Lead University, Ibadan, Oyo State – 550,000 naira
- Convenant University – 432,000 naira
- Caritas University, Amorji-Nike, Enugu State – 250,000 – 500 000 naira
- Afe Babalola Institution of Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State – 900.000 – 1.5 million naira
Private Colleges in Nigeria
- Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Osun State – 200,000 – 300 000 naira
- Redeemers University – 500 000 – 900 000 naira
- Wellspring University, Benin Edo State – 100 000 – 200 000 naira
- Crawford University, Igbesa – 480 000 – 600 000 naira
- Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State – 400 000 – 500 000 naira
- Igbinedion University, Okada – 500 000 – 3 million naira
- McPherson University, Abeokuta, Ogun State – 491 000 naira
- Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State – 480 000 naira
- University of Mkar, Mkar – 400 000 – 500 000 naira
- Bells University of Technology, Otta – 600 000 – 700 000 naira
- Hallmark University – 600 000 – 700 000 naira
- Samuel Adegboyega University – 400 000 – 500 000 naira
- Al-Qatam University – 100 000 – 200 000 naira
- Tansian-Umunya University – 200 000 – 300 000 naira
- Godfrey Okoye University, Ugwoma Nike – 300 000 – 400 000 naira
- Landmark University, Omu Aran, – 600 000 – 700 000 naira
- Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State – 400 000 – 1.2 million naira
- African University of Science and Technology – 1 million naira
- Augustine University – 600 000 – 700 000 naira
- Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji – 436 000 naira
- Novena University, Ogume, Delta State – 539 000 naira
Private Universities in Nigeria
- Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos State – 1 million naira
- Wesley University of Science and Technology, Ondo State – 100 000 – 200 000 naira
- Kwararafa-Wukari University – 100 000 – 200 000 naira
- Christopher University – 400 000 – 500 000 naira
- Ritman University – 300 000 – 400 000 naira
- Madonna University, Rivers, Anambra and Enugu States – 200 000 – 800 000 naira
- Kings University – 400 000 – 500 000 naira
- Hezekiah University, Umudi – 300 000 – 500 000 naira
- Bingham University, Abuja – 600 000 – 1 million naira
- Edwin Clark University, Kalgbada – 200 000 – 300 000 naira
- Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State – 800 000 – 900 000 naira
- Bowen University, Lagos State – 500 000 – 1 million naira
- Southwestern University, Oka Owa – 200 000 – 300 000 naira
- Elizade University, Ilara Mokin – 1 million naira
Learn the best study hacks every student should adopt
10 Best Private Universities in Nigeria
Every year, the Nigerian Universities Commission releases a list or a set of rankings to indicate which of the various institutions of higher education in Nigeria, have been able to reach the benchmark of education and even surpass it.
There is a list for public universities, and private universities, as well as one that contains the rankings of both universities combined. These rankings are updated annually, and the National Universities Commission lists the following as the best private universities in Nigeria in 2023, in descending order:
- Covenant University
- Babcock University
- Joseph Ayo Babalola University
- Bowen University
- Redeemers University
- Igbinedion University
- Ajayi Crowther University
- Bells University of Technology
- Afe Babalola University
- American University of Nigeria
List of Private universities in Nigeria offering Nursing
Not every higher institution in Nigeria offers all available courses and this also applies to private universities. Some universities restrict themselves to a particular number of courses that they know they can handle effectively.
Nursing is a highly revered profession because it is centred around taking care of and, as much as possible, preserving human life. Nurses are charged with the responsibility of looking after the welfare of patients, who are admitted to a hospital, which makes the profession a delicate one because human life depends on it.
This, therefore, requires that these nurses be given proper education and taught the right skills that would enable them to perform their jobs effectively and efficiently. The private universities in Nigeria that offer nursing include:
- Achievers University
- Afe Babalola University
- Rhema University
- Madonna University
- Adeleke University
- Lead University
- Babcock University
- Bingham University
- Igbinedion University
- Bowen University
How much does it cost to attend a private university?
Getting an education at a private University in Nigeria is quite expensive. It can be said to be worth the price because the quality of education is high, and there are state-of-the-art facilities and a conducive learning environment. Most of these universities are affiliated with foreign universities and partner with these foreign universities to deliver quality education.
To attend a private university in Nigeria, the individual must be financially buoyant and it would cost between a hundred thousand nairas to two million nairas, which makes I’d quite expensive, compared to public universities. Students in Nigerian private schools can apply for scholarships and even student loans. See our article on the best scholarship available for university students.
Conclusion
In conclusion, most parents are beginning to adapt to the idea of sending their children to private universities, which are better than public universities and are more affordable than sending the child to study abroad.
There are a good number of benefits associated with attending a private university, that cannot be ignored or overlooked. These private universities are managed by individuals, companies, or organizations, but they are regulated by the government; which means they are subject to the policies of the government.
The tuition fees being paid by students depend largely on the course they are studying. Most of these universities have been ranked as being the best, due to their dedication and efforts toward delivering quality education.
SEE ALSO: 15 Best Private Secondary Schools In Nigeria
FAQs on Private Universities in Nigeria
WHAT ARE THE TOP 5 PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA?
The top five private universities according to the Nigerian Universities commission are as follows:
- Convenant university
- Babcock university
- Joseph Ayo Babalola university
- Bowen university
- Redeemers university
Do Private universities in Nigeria offer scholarships?
Most private universities make scholarship opportunities available to students who cannot afford to pay tuition fees. This scholarship may be full or partial depending on the institution and the course.
Do private universities in Nigeria offer medical program?
Yes, they do. There are provisions for medical programs across various private universities in Nigeria.
Reference
- thoughtco.com
- definitions.net
- withfrank.org
- Nigerian prince.com
- universitycompass.com
- clacified.com/education
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