Federal Universities are pivotal to the Nigerian university education sector. The first university in Nigeria (University of Ibadan) was created as a federal university to foster education in Nigeria as far back as 1941, before the nation’s independence.
Federal universities in Nigeria are known to be cheaper and tend to accommodate more students and have a lot of facilities compared to state and private Universities In Nigeria, which is why most federal universities are the most sought after for admission by Nigerian students.
In the midst of the breakdown of the education sector in Nigeria, the government is holding and pushing the availability of education across the federation by establishing federal Universities across the country.
Federal universities across the federation do not constitute the universities only, as there is some specialised education established by the federal government which can also be classified as federal universities.
Among these specialised universities are defence academies and those for specified fields like transportation, health and technology.
There are currently 72 federal universities across the country. Starting from the first creation of federal universities in 1941, the numbers have grown to 72, with some newly established universities created in 2025.
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List of Federal Universities in Nigeria From the oldest to the Newly Established
| Federal Universities | Year Established | Location |
| 1. University of Ibadan | 1941 | Ibadan, Oyo State |
| 2. University of Nigeria, Nsukka | 1960 | Nsukka |
| 3. Ahmadu Bello University | 1962 | Zaria |
| 4. Obafemi Awolowo University | 1962 | Ile-Ife, Osun State |
| 5. University of Lagos | 1962 | Lagos state |
| 6. University of Benin | 1970 | Benin City |
| 7. University of Ilorin | 1975 | Ilorin, Kwara State |
| 8. University of Jos | 1975 | Jos |
| 9. University of Maiduguri | 1975 | Maiduguri |
| 10. University of Port-Harcourt | 1975 | Port Harcourt, River State |
| 11. Usman Dan fodiyo University | 1975 | Sokoto |
| 12. Bayero University Kano | 1975 | Kano |
| 13. Federal University of Technology, Owerri | 1980 | Owerri |
| 14. Federal University of Technology, Akure | 1981 | Akure, Ondo state |
| 15. Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola | 1981 | Yola, Adamawa State |
| 16. Federal University of Technology, Minna | 1982 | Minna, Niger State |
|
17. Nigeria Defence Academy |
1985 | Kaduna |
| 18. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University | 1988 | Bauchi |
| 19. University of Abuja | 1988 | Abuja |
|
20. Federal University of Technology, Abeokuta |
1988 | Abeokuta,ogun state |
| 21. Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University | 1988 | Markudi |
| 22. University of Uyo | 1991 | UYO |
| 23. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture | 1992 | Umudike |
| 24. Nnamdi Azikiwe University | 1992 | Awka |
| 25. National Open University of Nigeria | 2002 |
Abuja |
| 26. Federal University of Petroleum resources | 2007 | Effurun |
| 27. Federal University Dutse | 2011 | Dutse, Jigawa state |
| 30. Federal University,Dustin ma | 2011 | Kaduna |
| 31. Federal University Kashere | 2011 | Kashere, Gombe state |
| 32. Federal University Lafia | 2011 | Lafia, Nassarawa State |
| 32. Federal University Lokoja | 2011 | Lokoja, Kogi state |
|
33. Alex Ekwueme University |
2011 | Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi state |
| 34. Federal University Otuoke | 2011 | Otuoke, Bayelsa State |
| 35. Federal University, Oye Ekiti | 2011 | Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State |
| 36. Federal University, Wukari | 2011 | Wukari, Taraba state |
| 37. Federal University, Gushau | 2013 | Gushau, Yobe state |
| 38. Federal University, Birnin kebbi | 2013 | Birnin kebbi |
| 39. Federal University Gusau | 2013 | Gusau, Zamfara |
| 40. Nigeria Police Academy | 2013 | Wudil |
| 41. Nigerian Maritime University | 2018 | Okerenkoko, Delta state |
| 42. Airforce Institute of technology | 2018 | Kaduna |
| 43. Nigeria Army University | 2018 | BIU |
| 44. Federal University of Health Science | 2020 | Otukpo, Benue state |
| 45. Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru | 2020 | Zuru kebbi state |
| 46. Federal University of Technology, Bubura | 2021 | Bubura, Jigawa State |
| 47. Federal University of Technology, Ikoti Abasi | 2021 | Akwa Ibom State |
| 48. Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare | 2021 | Azare Bauchi state |
| 49. Federal University of Health Science, Ila orogun | 2021 | Ila-orogun Osun state |
| 50. David Nwazi Umahi Federal University of Medical Science | 2022 | Uburu, Ebonyi State |
| 51. Admiralty University | 2023 | Ibusa, Delta State |
| 52. Federal University of Transportation, Daura | 2023 | Daura, Kaduna state |
| 53 African Aviation and Aerospace University | 2023 | Abuja |
| 54. National University of Science and Technology | 2023 | Abuja |
| 55. Federal University of Agriculture, Bassambi-Biri, Bayelsa State | 2023 | Bassambi-Biri, Bayelsa State |
| 56.Federal University of Health Science, Kwale | 2023 | kwale,Delta State |
| 57.Federal University of Health Science, Kastina | 2023 | Kastina |
| 58. Federal University of Education, Zaria | 2023 | Zaria, Kaduna state |
| 59. Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi | 2023 | Mubi, Adamawa State |
| 60. Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education | 2023 | Owerri, Imo state |
| 61. Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education | 2023 | Kano |
| 62. Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo | 2023 | ONDO |
| 63. Federal University of Allied Health Science | 2024 | Enugu |
| 64. Federal University of Medicine and Medical Science, Abeokuta | 2023 | Abeokuta,ogun state |
| 65. Federal University of Education, Pankshin | 2023 | Pankshin, Plateau State |
| 66. Federal University of Education, Kontagora | 2023 | Kontagora, Niger state |
| 67. University of Maritime Study, Oron | 2024 | Oron, Akwa Ibom State |
| 68. Federal University of Environment and Technology, Tai Town Ogoni Land | 2025 | Ogoni, Delta State |
| 69. Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia | 2025 | Kaduna |
| 70. Tai Solarin, Federal University Of Education, Ijagun | 2025 | Ijagun, Ogun state |
| 71. Federal University of Agriculture and Developmental Studies, Irogbo, Osun state | 2025 | Irogbo Osun state |
| 72. Federal University of Technology and Environmental Studies, Iyin-Ekiti | 2025 | Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State |
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Conclusion
The list of Federal Universities in Nigeria can’t be limited to this list, as more federal universities can be created this year or next year. According to NUC, these are current list of federal universities across the federation that is known and accredited by them presently
A.O is a student of economics at Adekunle Ajasin Akungba Akoko University,Ondo state. His love for writing and passion for providing solutions for students in terms of admission, school fees and tips is what drive his passion for writing educational post to guide and direct students.