Anambra State, which is referred to as the light of the nation, is home to one of the most industrial cities in Nigeria, Onitsha, and also houses its capital, Awka.
Anambra State is reputed to be the 14th most populous state. Taking all other factors and variables aside, the main focus on Anambra is its education sector, which has been blooming and is one of the best across Nigeria.
Anambra is known as one of the leading states in terms of education in Nigeria, and thanks to the rule that makes all the children born in the state compelled to go to school.
Anambra State has in recent years taken the lead for having the best WAEC result and also the highest number of registered candidates who are sitting for the JAMB examination. The literacy rate is so high in Anambra that it can’t be compared to others.
When we view the overall education sector in Anambra, the focus will mostly be zoomed in on the tertiary sector of education in the state, and the highest institution amongst these tertiary education institutions, which is the university, will be discussed thoroughly in these articles.
Anambra State has quite a number of universities in the state, from federal universities to even private universities. We shall explore them for proper understanding, and they will be categorized based on whether they’re private, state, or federal universities.
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Universities in Anambra State
Federal Universities in Anambra State
● Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Nnamdi Azikiwe University is a federal university that is situated in Anambra State, Awka.
Nnamdi Azikiwe has four campuses, which are spread around Anambra State, and these campuses are located at Awka, Nnewi, Agulu, and Ifite-ogwruai, making the university among the universities in Nigeria with the most campuses.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University was established in 1980 as a state university before it was changed to a federal university in 1991 and also renamed to Nnamdi Azikiwe in honor of the first Nigerian president.
It should be noted that Nnamdi Azikiwe has a teaching hospital that serves the institution for medical practice.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University currently operates 16 faculties with over 70 departments operating under these faculties, and with these departments running, there are over 45,000 students.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University offers multiple courses, which include medicine and surgery, nursing, economics, medical laboratory science, and engineering courses like civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and a lot of others.
The university offers courses in programs such as undergraduate programs, postgraduate programs, JUPEB programs, diploma programs, and others.
State Universities in Anambra State
● Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam
COOU is a state university that is situated in Anambra State and also has its campuses spread across Anambra State, with one situated in Uli and Awka and another one in Igbariam, which serves as the permanent campus.
COOU was established in the year 2000 under the administration drawing out the university from the existing state polytechnic and college of agriculture in the state universities.
It should be noted that Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University was initially named Anambra State University before it was changed to the current name in order to honor the late Biafra leader Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
COOU currently operates seven faculties across its two campuses with also a functioning teaching hospital in order to serve its College of Health Science.
COOU is notable for its strong presence in the pre-science program and also its part-time program in the institution.
COOU has multiple accreditations from different bodies in the state, which include accreditation from ICAN, NIA, COREN, and also NUC.
COOU offers multiple courses, which include medicine and surgery, nursing, economics and other administration, social science, and science courses.
COOU has a standing library to cater for the academics of both the staff and the students in the institution, plus also an online library.
Private Universities in Anambra State
● Madonna University, Okija
Madonna University is a private university that is located in Alhambra State, and it is run by the Catholic Church. Madonna University is considered to be the first private university established by Catholics in Nigeria.
Madonna University was established in 1999, and it has its campuses stretched across three locations in three eastern states, and these campuses include one in Elele in River State, one in Okija in Anambra State, and also one in Akpugo in Enugu State.
Madonna University offers multiple programs, from its undergraduate program to postgraduate and part-time programs in the institution.
Madonna University is notable for its outstanding library with libraries spread across all faculties and departments; also included is its online library.
Madonna University currently operates 10 faculties, including its college, with multiple courses like medicine and surgery, law, nursing, and engineering run under it.
● Tansian University, Umunya
Tansian University is a private university located in Umunya, Anambra State.
Tansian University was established in 2009 by John Bosco Akam, who died in 2021.
Tansian University currently operates 6 facilities.
Faculties with multiple courses offered it, which include courses like civil law, public health, nursing science, medical laboratory science, and others.
Tansian University operates and positions itself as a university that operates on Christian doctrine and principle, which was imbedded by the founder before he died.
Tansian University operates two universities, one of which is located in Oba; it was meant to serve as a temporary campus, and the other is in Umunya, which is the permanent campus.
● Paul University, Awka
Paul University, Awka, is a private university situated in Anambra State. It was established in 2009 by the Anglican church, thus making it a Christian education institution.
Paul University, Awka, sprang out of the established St. Paul University College.
Paul University is a fully residential institution with over 400 students recorded to be studying currently at the institution and with the aim of reaching 3,500 students per session.
Paul University, a Christian Anglican university, has an affiliation with the Institute of Theology.
Not many faculties: Paul University currently runs three faculties, and these faculties offer courses like accounting, banking and finance, economics, English literature, and a lot of others.
Paul University has a standing library, which was established in 2009. This is a fully functional library based on the fact that some of the materials and resources from St. Paul University College are combined with the currently purchased ones, and also Paul University has an online library.
● Legacy University, Okija
Legacy University is among the newly established private universities in Nigeria; it was established in 2016.
Legacy University received its full accreditation from NUC the same year the institution was established.
Located in Okija, Ihiala Local Government, Anambra, the university currently sits on 110 hectares of land along the Onitsha-Owerri express road.
Legacy University currently operates three faculties with multiple courses like economics, political science, banking and finance, and others offered under it.
School Fee Overview for University in Anambra State
School fees for public universities, for both state and federal universities, range from N70,000 to N250,000 at maximum for some top courses in universities across Anambra State.
School fees for private universities vary but can range from N300,000 to N600,000 at most for some private universities in Anambra State.
Student Life in Universities in Anambra State
Hostels are mostly available for all universities across Anambra State, including both the public universities and state universities, and these extend to on-campus hostels and off-campus hostels.
Transportation is affordable, and students can use means of transportation like tricycles or kekes to ferry themselves to wherever they need to go.
Accommodation fees can vary and can range from N30,000 to N300,000 depending on the proximity to the school premises.
Living costs and also feeding monthly can range from N25,000 to N30,000; this should be enough to sustain a student who does not spend anyhow or show off.
Insecurity is low, but students are advised to return to their hostel early, especially for those who stay off campus.
Conclusion
Universities are spread across Anambra State, and they are cheaper and less expensive to study at, most especially for indigenes of the state.
Anambra State investment in education is top-notch, and it is high compared to other states in Nigeria.