Full List of Nigeria Federal Universities (Updated 2026)

As of January 2026, the National Universities Commission (NUC) recognizes 74 Federal Universities in Nigeria. Under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the federal government has expanded the tertiary landscape with new specialized institutions, including the Federal University of Agriculture, Iragbiji and the Federal University of Technology, Iyin Ekiti.

This directory provides a comprehensive state-by-state breakdown and highlights the top-ranked federal institutions for the current academic year.

2026 Official Directory: Federal Universities in Nigeria

The following table is the most up-to-date list, including conventional, technology-based, and specialized universities of health and agriculture.

NUC-Approved Federal Universities in Nigeria (2026)

S/N	University Name	State	City
1	Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University	Bauchi	Bauchi
2	Adeyemi Federal University of Education	Ondo	Ondo
3	Air Force Institute of Technology	Kaduna	Kaduna
4	Ahmadu Bello University	Kaduna	Zaria
5	Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike	Ebonyi	Ikwo
6	Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education	Imo	Owerri
7	Bayero University	Kano	Kano
8	Federal University Birnin Kebbi	Kebbi	Birnin Kebbi
9	Federal University Dutse	Jigawa	Dutse
10	Federal University Dutsin-Ma	Katsina	Dutsin-Ma
11	Federal University Gashua	Yobe	Gashua
12	Federal University Gusau	Zamfara	Gusau
13	Federal University Kashere	Gombe	Kashere
14	Federal University Lafia	Nasarawa	Lafia
15	Federal University Lokoja	Kogi	Lokoja
16	Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta	Ogun	Abeokuta
17	Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru	Kebbi	Zuru
18	Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia	Kaduna	Kachia
19	Federal University of Education, Pankshin	Plateau	Pankshin
20	Federal University of Education, Zaria	Kaduna	Zaria
21	Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare	Bauchi	Azare
22	Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun	Delta	Effurun
23	Federal University of Technology, Akure	Ondo	Akure
24	Federal University of Technology, Minna	Niger	Minna
25	Federal University of Technology, Owerri	Imo	Owerri
26	Federal University of Transportation, Daura	Katsina	Daura
27	Federal University Otuoke	Bayelsa	Otuoke
28	Federal University Oye-Ekiti	Ekiti	Oye-Ekiti
29	Federal University Wukari	Taraba	Wukari
30	Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University	Benue	Makurdi
31	Michael Okpara University of Agriculture	Abia	Umudike
32	Modibbo Adama University of Technology	Adamawa	Yola
33	National Open University of Nigeria	Lagos	Victoria Island
34	Nigerian Army University, Biu	Borno	Biu
35	Nigerian Defense Academy	Kaduna	Kaduna
36	Nigerian Maritime University	Delta	Okerenkoko
37	Nnamdi Azikiwe University	Anambra	Awka
38	Obafemi Awolowo University	Osun	Ile-Ife
39	Tai Solarin Federal University of Education	Ogun	Ijebu-Ode
40	University of Abuja	FCT	Gwagwalada
41	University of Benin	Edo	Benin City
42	University of Calabar	Cross River	Calabar
43	University of Ibadan	Oyo	Ibadan
44	University of Ilorin	Kwara	Ilorin
45	University of Jos	Plateau	Jos
46	University of Lagos	Lagos	Akoka
47	University of Maiduguri	Borno	Maiduguri
48	University of Nigeria, Nsukka	Enugu	Nsukka
49	University of Port Harcourt	Rivers	Port Harcourt
50	University of Uyo	Akwa Ibom	Uyo

Recent Additions to the Federal List (2025–2026)

The Federal Government recently signed several bills into law to address specialized manpower needs. Notable new entries include:

• Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET): Located in Ogoni, Rivers State.

• Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies: Iragbiji, Osun State.

• Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences: Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State.

• Federal University of Applied Sciences: Kachia, Kaduna State (Est. 2025).

You can find the full list on National Universities Commission

Why Choose a Federal University?

1. Lower Tuition: In 2026, while private fees have surged due to inflation, federal institutions remain the most affordable option.

2. Stability: The January 2026 FG-ASUU Agreement has resulted in a 40% salary increment for lecturers, aimed at ending recurring strikes and ensuring a stable academic calendar.

3. Research Funding: Federal schools receive the largest portion of TETFund (Tertiary Education Trust Fund) interventions for research and infrastructure.