The items listed here are facts about Universities in Nigeria. They are relatively unknown. The list is not exhaustive, therefore, we will continue to add more and more information to this article. We have done little research to come up with the following facts that many people (even students of these universities) may not know about the Universities. You will find these facts interesting and you may want to share them with friend.
1. There are more private than state government-owned Universities in Nigeria
At present, Nigeria has more private universities than state universities (39 accredited state universities compared to 50 private universities). Nigeria has only 40 Federal Universities, a figure also less than that of Private varsities.
These are the correct numbers at the time of publishing this post. The numbers are ever changing.
Click 2 (page 2) below to check out a strange but true fact about the University of Benin…
2. UNIBEN was formerly a state University
The University of Benin was founded in 1970. It started as an Institute of Technology and was accorded the status of a full-fledged University by National Universities Commission (NUC) on 1st July, 1971.
In his Budget Speech in April 1972, the then Military Governor of Mid-Western State, Col. S. O. Ogbemudia (then also Visitor to the University) formally announced the change of the name of the Institute of Technology to the University of Benin.
On 1st April, 1975 the University at the request of the State Government, was taken over by the Federal Government and became a Federal Government and became a Federal University.
3. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University is a university of technology
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), is a federal university of technology located in Bauchi, northern Nigeria. Many Nigerians do not know this because technology is no longer in the name. It was established in 1980 as Federal University of Technology, Bauchi, Nigeria.
On 1 October 1984, the University was merged with Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria with a subsequent change of its name to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa College, Ahmadu Bello University, Bauchi Campus.
The University regained its autonomous status in 1988 following a general demerger of such institutions. This was followed by a subsequent change of its name to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. (Excerpts: WikiPedia.org)
4. Some claim Ajayi Crowther University was founded before any other (1853)
Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo was established by the Supra Diocesan Board (West) of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has its origins in the defunct CMS training institution, Abeokuta and the defunct St. Andrews College, Oyo.
The University started as CMS Training Institution in Abeokuta in 1853 from where it was relocated to Lagos (1868 to 1896). In March 1896, it was transplanted to Oyo retrospectively in 1920.
Having satisfied the rigorous criteria prescribed by the National Universities Commision (NUC) for the establishment of Universities in Nigeria, Ajayi Crowther University (ACU) was granted license to operate as a Private University in Nigeria on 7 January 2005.
5. Nigeria has more than one University of Education
Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) is usually wrongly referred to as the only university of education in Nigeria. This is not correct as there is the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. Both are state universites, established in 2009.
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education was established by the University of Education Law No. 8 of 2009 of the Rivers State Government passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly on 15 October 2009 and assented to by His Excellency, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, the Executive Governor of Rivers State on 20 October 2009.
We will continue to add to this list, keep checking back!!!