Top 20 Best State Universities in Nigeria (2025 Updated List)

In Nigeria, State universities are ran by state governments unlike federal universities which is ran by federal government. The basic aim of this post is take you on a walk around the list of 20 best state universities in Nigeria, with their school fees and updated Jamb cut off marks.

Factors That Determine Top State Universities in Nigeria

We didn’t wake up one day to list out the best state universities in Nigeria, rather, there are factors we used to come to the conclusion of the top leading state universities in Nigeria, and these factors are:

1.  Accreditation: This is an important factor when considering the best state universities because some state universities are yet to be accredited in general, while some are yet to be accredited to offer some major courses, therefore those schools that are yet to be accredited, cannot be ranked among the best state universities in Nigeria.
2. Academics: The academic level in the state universities in Nigeria varies. This means that some state universities offer more in academics than others. Thus, the best state universities in Nigeria should offer more in academics than other universities.
3. Functioning Facilities: State universities with functioning and equipped facilities such as; libraries, laboratories, workshops, studios, lecture theatres, research centres, recreational facilities, sports facilities, etc, are ranked higher than other state schools with not much functioning facilities.
4. Quality of University Faculties: For a state university to be said to be one of the best, it should provide good faculties to it’s students. Good faculty means providing quality teachings, seminars, workshops, and other structured learning activities covering the core curriculum of a specific subject area of the said faculty.
5. Cost: The tuition fee should not be alarming like private universities, it should be affordable by their students.
6. How Successful are the University Alumni: Most of the successful and prominent figures of our society today are alumni of best schools in Nigeria.
7. Location: Finally the location of the state university is also used to know how a good a university is. The Top 20 best state universities in Nigeria which is the aim of this post, all have a good location that is edible and conducive for an academic environment.

List of  State Universities in Nigeria (Fees and Jamb cut off Mark)

Below are the top 20 most rated State universities that you will find in Nigeria:

1. Lagos State University (LASU)

The Lagos state government-owned university came into existence in 1983, and today it ranks as one of the best universities in Nigeria, and Africa at large. The State University currently operates at three major campuses, namely: Ojo, Ikeja, and Epe. Note, the Ojo campus is the Main Campus and the seat of the Central Administration. The school has approximately 43,362 admitted students. Through the years, the school has been able to produce big names in Nigeria today.

• School Fee: Approximately ₦113,250- ₦115,750 per session.
• Jamb cut off Mark: 195
• Contact: 0909 088 1325
• Address: Lasu Main Rd, Ojo, Lagos 102101, Lagos

2. Ekiti State University (EKSU)

The Ekiti state government-owned university was established in 1982. The school provides a conducive learning environment, with uninterrupted academic programmes (no strike). The public university is committed to providing high quality educational experience shaped by outstanding teaching and research that benefit cultures, societies and economies.

• School Fee: ₦205,000-₦755,000 per semester depending on indigene and non-indigene.
• Jamb cut off Mark: 140
• Contact: 0803 462 0164
• Address: Ado Ekiti 362103, Ekiti

3. Rivers State University (RSUST)

The public and state owned university is among the top rated state universities in Nigeria, and it came into effect in 1972. As of today, the Rivers State University is regarded as the first Technological University in Nigeria, and also the first state-owned State University in the Niger-Delta region of the country. It is one of the best state government owned higher institutions to look out for.

• School Fee: ₦50,000-₦150,000 depending on whether indigene or non-indigene.
• Jamb cut off Mark: 190
• Contact: 0810 444 4411
• Address: Nkpolu – Oroworukwo PMB 5080 Port Harcourt, Rivers State

4. Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT)

The Enugu state government owned university was established in 1980, and it is committed in equipping their students with practical knowledge and skills in these fields. The school also makes provision for scholarships, especially in the areas of Science, Management and Technology.

• School Fee: ₦124,900.00
• Jamb cut off Mark: 200 excluding professional courses
• Contact: 0811 369 3805
• Address: 8G5G+X5, Agbani 402105, Enugu

5. Abia State University (ABSU)

The state university was founded in 1981 by Sam Mbakwe under the old Imo State. The university offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs cutting across Law, Agriculture, Sciences,  Educations, Arts and several social science subjects. The state university has over 20,000 admitted students currently, and ranks among the best state tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

• School Fee: Approximately ₦104,000 per session.
• Jamb cut off Mark: 140 exluding professional courses
• Contact: 0708 839 1544
• Address: Uturu 441103, Abia

6. Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State (OSUSTECH)

The Ondo state owned university is one of the top rated state institutions in Nigeria, being established in 2008. The state university, is in partnership with leading foreign universities in the United States of America and the Carrebean. Also a very conducive, attractive and serene environment for learning and other extra-curricula activities is being made available by the school for their students.

• School Fee: ₦65,000-₦200,000
• Jamb cut off Mark: 150
• Contact: 0709 880 9476
• Address: Km. 6, Okitipupa-Igbokoda Road, P.M.B. 353, Okitipupa 350105

7. Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)

Formerly known as Ogun State University, is one of the best state universities in Nigeria, founded in 1982. The university is centred on excellence in teaching, learning, research, and community engagement. The university has no other motto other to provide the best educational experience for their students and the public through top class teaching, research and creative activities which is of important to the society.

• School Fee: ₦100,000-₦180,000 per session.
• Jamb cut off Mark: 160
• Contact: 0805 560 6475
• Address: WRFP+9HF, Ago-Iwoye – Ilisan road, Ago-Iwoye

8. Delta State University (DELSU)

The Delta state government university was established in 1992. It is one fast growing state university in Nigeria located in Abraka with numerous attractive tourist sites including the alluring blue coloured River Ethiope acclaimed to be the deepest Inland Waterway in Africa. The university has four campuses across Nigeria: the main campus at Abraka, and secondary campuses at Anwai, Asaba, and Oleh.

• School Fee: ₦64,500-₦84,500 depending on indigene or non-indigene
• Jamb cut off Mark: 170
• Contact: 0813 412 3751
• Address: P.M.B. 1, Abraka Delta State, Nigeria

9. Plateau State University (PLASU)

The Plateau State University located in Bokkos was established in 2005. The university boasts of standard infrastructure in terms of accommodation, facilities, libraries structure, recreational facilities and so. It is a very affordable and good university to look out for.

• School Fee: ₦40,000-₦90,000
• Jamb cut off Mark: 180
• Contact: 0705 219 2157
• Address: Bokkos 932111, Plateau

10. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU)

The university is also known as Anambra state university, and it came into existence in 2000. The university has 2 campuses located in Uli and Igbariam respectively. The university has libraries that provide information resources and facilities to the students and staff.

• School Fee: ₦126,965-₦401,815
• Jamb cut off Mark: 140
• Contact: 0803 8827 669
• Address: QR9P+WFR, Uli, Atughobi

11.  Ambrose Alli University (AAU)

The university is a state-owned university in Edo State, Nigeria, being established in 1981 by the governor of Bendel State, Ambrose Folorunsho Alli. The school has been accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The state school is focused on fostering the growth of knowledge for the advancement of society.

• School Fee: ₦168,000-₦340,000 per session depending on the course.
• Jamb cut off Mark: 150
• Contact: 0905 849 4345
• Address: Ekpoma 310103, Edo

12. Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU)

The university was formerly known as Akwa Ibom State University of Technology (AKUTECH), before Godswill Obot Akpabio changed the name to Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU). The school has professors; and lecturers that recently obtained their doctorate degrees from British, Canadian and American Universities and returned to the school faculties. Making the school a great environment for excellent learning.

• School Fee: ₦50,000-₦150,000 per session
• Jamb cut off Mark: 140
• Contact: 0802 3635 890
• Address: Ikot Akpaden,Mkpat Enin L.G.A

13. Ebonyi State University (EBSU)

The Ebony state government-owned university ame into existence in 1999. The university offers pre-degree, undergraduate and postgraduate program in the fields of medicine and health sciences. Ebonyi state university do not participate in the UTME Examinations like other universities in Nigeria. The state university provides for quality education and career opportunities and exposure.

• School Fee: ₦100,000-₦200,000 per session
• Jamb cut off Mark: 140
• Contact: 0806 408 7963
• Address: Enugu – Abakaliki Rd, Abakaliki 481101, Ebonyi

14. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH)

The state university is regarded as the premier state university in Nigeria, and currently, it stands as the nation’s beacon of academic excellence and technological innovation in the Nigerian educational system. The state higher institution is committed in providing liberal higher education and research within Nigeria and beyond.

• School Fee:  ₦168,000- ₦204,000
• Jamb cut off Mark: 170
• Contact: 0806 7624 952.
• Address: Along Oyo, Ilorin Road, 210214, Ogbomosho, Oyo state

15. Nasarawa State University, Keffi

The state university was founded in 2001. The university offers a Post Graduate Faculty which offers a Masters in Business Administration(MBA) under the department of Business Administration. The university is made up of 5 campuses, with the main campus located in Keffi. Today in Nigeria, the university is rated as one of the top state universities in Nigeria.

• School Fee: ₦65,100-₦103,000
• Jamb cut off Mark: 160
• Contact: 0810 437 2835
• Address: Keffi, North central Nigeria, Nasarawa state

16. Osun State University, Osogbo

The university was established by Osun State Government under the administration of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in 2006. The University is a conventional University is a centre of excellence through the provision of highly qualitative teaching and learning experiences capable of impacting their students positively on their environments and the society.

• School Fee: ₦130,000-₦550,000 per year varies by courses.
• Jamb cut off Mark: 160
• Contact: 0810 797 6419
• Address: Main Campus, Oke Bale Street, Area, Osogbo 210001

17. University of Cross River State (UNICROSS)

The university is a state-owned university with four campuses, and was established in 2002. The university was formerly known as the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) till 2021, when it was renamed to the name it is answering today. UNICROSS helps their student to shape their long-term vision for life and discover how they can actually change the world.

• School Fee: ₦120,000 per Session
• Jamb cut off Mark: 140
• Contact: 0812 124 6223
• Address: Ekpo Abasi St, Idim Ita, Calabar 540281, Cross River

18. Imo State University (IMSU)

The Imo State government owned university was established in 1981. IMSU is focused on continuous provision of quality learning environment and producing highly intellectual graduates with reputable character.

• School Fee: ₦150,000-₦190,000
• Jamb cut off Mark: 150
• Contact: 0806 000 0000
• Address: ICT Unit, Imo State University, PMB 2000 Owerri, Imo State

19. Kaduna State University, (KASU)

The Kaduna State University was founded in 2004. Today as we speak, the state university i regarded as a center of academic excellence, committed to providing a transformative educational experience that equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a dynamic global environment.

• School Fee: ₦27,000-₦46,000
• Jamb cut off Mark: 170
• Contact: 0909 307 8854
• Address:  800001, Tafawa Balewa Way, PMB 2339, Kaduna

20. Kogi State University (KSU)

Kogi State University now known as Prince Abubakar Audu University, established in 1999. The university is now ranked as Nigeria’s fastest-developing university and one of the most popular universities in Africa. It is today one of the best state universities in Nigeria.

• School Fee: ₦80,000-₦200,050
• Jamb cut off Mark: 140
• Contact: 0906 606 3644
• Address: 272102, Anyigba 272102, Kogi

Is it Difficult to gain Admission into a State University in Nigeria?

For some state universities, it might be difficult, while some it might be easier, but it all boils down to the course of your interest. Law and med-surg as a course for example are more difficult to get their admissions. Their Jamb cut off mark are always above 260 unlike other courses. To be on the safer side, score a good Jamb score, and also perform well in the UTME (if your school of interest partakes in it) to have a higher chance of getting admission into any state university in Nigeria.

Conclusion

One of the advantages of state universities is that though they accept students irrespective of their backgrounds, but they tends to favour the state indigenes more than the non-indigenes and that is what makes it a “state university.”

Currently, there are 63 accredited state universities in Nigeria. But among the 63, an exclusive list of top 20 best state universities in Nigeria has been made available under this post, coupled with the reasons they made the list.