Ever wondered about the similarities that our elite Nigerian Universities share with top UK/US universities? Well, you need not rack your brains any further! Discussed below are the Top 10 Nigerian universities and their US/UK analogies.

PS: The list is based on the January Edition of the 2015 webometrics ranking.


1. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) >> MIT

Unarguably, OAU has rightfully earned a spot with this equivalent. Having proved to be one of the topmost universities for just about any science/engineering course in Nigeria, OAU easily passes as an equivalent to MIT, the world’s foremost engineering/technology school. While MIT has no frequent strikes or fatal cult histories, it shares a very interesting characteristic with its Nigerian sibling across the seas – Selection & Acceptance rates. For every 100 people applying to MIT, only 8 (7.9%) would be accepted. At OAU, the figure is similar. With over 70,000 applicants yearly and spaces for roughly 5000 candidates, the selection rate also lies at 7.14%. Just as MIT is known to attract perfect SAT/GRE scorers, OAU has a penchant for top UTME scores, with average UTME scores of successfully applicants lying somewhere around the 240-250 Mark. Undeniably, OAU & MIT are perfect analogies, and in the same way MIT has maintained the top spot on league tables over the last 5 years, OAU has achieved a similar feat (until it was recently ousted by a rising rival, no spoilers, read on) and we can expect it to maintain this trend over the coming years.

2. Covenant University >> Cambridge University

Okay, chronologically it would only be only ironic to say these two schools are equivalents, but there are a lot of other intriguing similarities that both universities share. With a similar culture of elitism and emphasis on “braininess” and leadership, Covenant University merits this juxtaposition. Amongst the list of shared qualities, the collegiate system at both schools is the most obvious. Cambridge is known for its unique collegiate structure featuring over 20 colleges which serve academic and residential purposes, and each christened after some biblical and medieval characters. Some college names include Jesus College, Pembroke, Magdalene, Kings College and St. John’s Colleges. At CU, there are 10 halls of residence with similar christening, Daniel, Peter, Mary, Dorcas and Joseph, etc. albeit, these halls only serve a residential function. Over the last few years, Covenant University has also risen to Nigeria’s number one spot and looks to hold on to this spot over the coming years (just like Cambridge).

3. University of Ibadan >> Harvard University

Undisputedly, UI is Nigeria’s Harvard. With a reputation as Nigeria’s best University which has spanned the past 5 decades, and a penchant for the best and brightest scholars (please watch the UI Vs EDS Zain African Challenge episode for an idea of what this means), it settles easily as the best University in Nigeria (by reputation and everything else). A UI scholar comes across as a very versatile student (just like a Harvard’s student), comely disposed (yeah, they ‘rent used to strikes and protests) and strikingly engaging.

4. University of Lagos (UNILAG) >> Stanford University

At the very center of Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, you will find the Nigerian equivalent to Stanford in Silicon Valley. In Short, you will find UNILAG. Strategically positioned at the center of everything business, technology, politics and Media, it comes as no surprise that this school accounts for a substantial portion of top Nigerian software programmers, Media people, Politicians, Investment Bankers, Professors e.t.c as part of its alumni. UNILAG is a school full of smart, enterprising students who are readily able to bring classroom knowledge to a very engaging marketplace (just like Stanford). And yes, acceptance ratio here is also cut-throat, approximately 6% (just like Stanford’s 5.1%).

5. University of Ilorin >> Princeton University

In Nigeria, UNILORIN is Princeton. Able to strike a good balance between courses in Sciences/Engineering and Humanities, but not really stellar enough to remain in spotlight like OAU (MIT) or UI (Harvard). It is where you go if you were turned down at either of both (Or where you go if you don’t want to do a 5 year program for 10 years, )

6. University of Agriculture Abeokuta (UNAAB) >> Texas A&M

Yeah the name says it all, looking for the best institution to study agriculture or Agric-related engineering, UNAAB is your best bet. With diverse grants and support from the Nigerian Government and other industry-focused parastatals, UNAAB easily emulates Texas A&M, America’s foremost university for Agriculture-related courses.

7. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) >> Yale University

Located in Zaria, a moderate metropolis in the Northern part of Nigeria, ABU shares great similarity with Yale University. As one of the four oldest Nigerian schools, it has carved a niche in the area of Arts and Humanities, producing some of Nigeria’s (and Africa’s) finest leaders, authors and journalists. Just like Yale, it is one of the most prestigious universities in the country with a minuscule acceptance rate.

8. Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) >> Carnegie Mellon University

If you are in the US and you are looking for top programmers, go to Carnegie Mellon University. If you are in Nigeria, FUTA is where you should go. Having rightfully earned a reputation as one of Nigeria’s top Computer Science universities, FUTA shares a lot with CMU. (There’s really nothing else outside CS and elect that FUTA is so spectacular at though).

9. Landmark University >> Cornell University

Landmark is just UNAAB with a little more eliteness (hence the Cornell analogy). Arguably, Nigeria’s forth most prestigious private university (of course after CU, BU & AUN), the university was founded to focus and excel in agricultural courses, hence the motto “Breaking new grounds”. It is the fine looking younger sister of the renowned Covenant University and is poised to become a fierce rival to CU over the coming years.

10. University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) >> University of Chicago

UNN is that very old prestigious university, which is far from everyone else and is often referred to as the University of the Nation. It is notable for its outstanding course offerings in Sciences, Engineering, and especially in Arts (hence the UoChicago analogy), as well as its impressive alumni base, consisting of such revolutionists as Chinua Achebe, Charles Soludo and late Dora Akunyili. UNN is where you go if you are keen on a career in Politics, Economics or Medicine (or if you’re from the South, lol).

I Rep Federal University Lokoja.
Federal University Lokoja is equivalent to University College London. The reasons are as follow;
---Federal University of Lokoja is centrally located therefore attracting students from all over the country, the same condition goes for University College London.
----secondly, admission processes are in stages and based on merit.
---thirdly, highly disciplined environment.
I Rep Federal University
For more information about the School.
08098788439(whatsapp)
07057489669( Call only)

aare07:
I Rep Federal University Lokoja.
Federal University Lokoja is equivalent to University College London. The reasons are as follow;
---Federal University of Lokoja is centrally located therefore attracting students from all over the country, the same condition goes for University College London.
----secondly, admission processes are in stages and based on merit.
---thirdly, highly disciplined environment.
I Rep Federal University
For more information about the School.
08098788439(whatsapp)
07057489669( Call only)

what about unisambisa

Wey d best university for Nigeria,Olabisi onabanjo university