NewStats: 3,259,323 , 8,169,808 topics. Date: Saturday, 24 May 2025 at 05:20 PM 37gd

Nigeria has 274 universities as of 2024. Nigeria is recognised as the most populous country in Africa, both in of population and landmass. But this is not all that the nation is known for. This country’s workforce and plenty of natural resources allow it to maintain its educational and other competitive edge. As a result, more schools across the country will have the financial capacity.

In addition to having stunning grounds, these universities offer a wide range of educational programs on their expansive campuses. Finding out how big these colleges are can give you important information about Nigeria’s academic infrastructure and growth prospects, whether you’re a prospective student or just interested in the country’s educational system.

In Nigeria, size is important when it comes to higher education. Scattered campuses with a wealth of resources and facilities are available to students at Nigeria’s largest university by land mass. These universities are distinguished not only by their geographical locations but also by the courses they provide and the number of students they enroll.

According to Schoolings and data from the schools’ websites, here is the list of the top 10 biggest university in nigeria by land mass:

1. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) – 15,000 hectares

The University of Ilorin is at the top of this list of Nigerian universities with the largest acreage. With 15,000 hectares of land, it is Nigeria’s largest university. The University of Ilorin is situated in latitude 8.4799° N and longitude 4.5418° E in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State.

It is roughly 300 kilometers from Lagos, the country’s economic center, and 500 kilometers from Abuja. One of the first universities in sub-Saharan Africa to offer academic programs continuously for more than 16 years is the University of Ilorin.

2. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)- 13,000 hectares

The federal government owns this institution. OAU is situated in Ile-Ife, the Yorubaland region’s historic hub.

The university’s founding ceremony took place in 1961. In October 1962, the first classes were conducted. Under the direction of the late Samuel Ladoke Akintola, the Western Nigerian regional government oversaw this establishment at the time, which was known as the University of Ife.

The university was renamed Obafemi Awolowo University on May 2, 1987, and it has remained that way to this day. The school bears the name of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who worked hard to develop this area and was the first premier of the Western Region of Nigeria.

3. University of Abuja (UNIABUJA)- 11,824 hectares

The institution has a permanent location of around 11,824 hectares along the Kaduna-Lokoja-Abuja Road, as well as a mini campus in Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria.

The University of Abuja began operations in a temporary location known as the “mini-campus,” which consisted of three blocks of buildings intended for a primary school in Gwagwalada.

The mini-campus began to host academic activities in 1990. An area of more than 11,800 hectares along the Abuja Airport road was given to the college in the same year so that its major campus could be developed.

4. Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) – 10,650 hectares

Located in Minna, Niger State, the Federal University of Technology, Minna is a leading institution for science and technology education.

5. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) – 10,000 hectares

After four technological institutions that had merged in 1984 were disbanded by federal authorities, this institution began on January 1, 1988. FUNAAB spans 10,000 hectares in total.

6. Ahmadu Bello University(ABU) – 7,000 hectares

Situated in Kaduna State, this research university functions under the oversight of the federal government. October 4, 1962, saw the founding of the ABU. The University of Northern Nigeria was the original name of the establishment.

They have two campuses Samaru and Kongo. The total land area of ABU is roughly 7,000 hectares.

7. Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) – 4,048 hectares

This school is located in Owerri, Imo State, as the name implies. The land where the school is located is 4,048 hectares. Because of this, FUTO is ranked number six in our Top 10. In the Southeast and South-South, it is the top tech university.

8. University of Benin (UNIBEN) – 1748 hectares

This institution’s geography roughly resembles that of FUTO, and it possesses a vast amount of farmlandthat some local chieftains are battling in court to seize. The school is located in Edo State. This school was established in 1970 and is owned by the federal government.

9.University of Ibadan (UI) – 1,032hectares

The University of Ibadan (UI), founded in 1948, is the oldest university in Nigeria. In 1962, it gained independence from its original affiliation with the University of London as University College Ibadan.
With 1,032 hectares of land, this university qualified for our ranking of the top 10 largest universities in Nigeria by landmass. Like the majority of the federal educational system, it began modestly and now houses more than 33,000 pupils. UI is located in Ibadan, Oyo State, as its name implies.

10. The American University of Nigeria (AUN)- 2,500 acres

For the private sector, AUN is at the top of our ranking. This is a special institution. In all of Sub-Saharan Africa, it is the first of its sort. As a student, you get to enjoy amazing buildings, surroundings, facilities, and personnel because it is designed to be an American school in every sense of the word.

Due to its success in acquiring more than 2,500 acres of land, AUN was included in our ranking of the Top 10 biggest university in nigeria by land mass.

11. Redeemers University Nigeria – 2,010acres

This organization has Christian roots. Established and run Redeemed Christian Church of God(RCCG), this institute was also established. It has been taking use of its position as one of the nation’s best private institutions. It was been recognized among 15 of Africa’s most prominent universities.

Source: https://businessday.ng/education/article/top-11-biggest-university-in-nigeria-by-land-mass/

I had been to some of these Universities. UniAbuja is way... backward compared others. Na glorified glorified secondary. Anyway, na land them dey talk about Sha.

Uni ILorin land shud be used for Agriculture

SadiqBabaSani:
Uni ILorin land shud be used for Agriculture

All of them should utilise chunk of their Lands for agriculture. 10,000 hactares no be moi moi

No university should be more than 500 hectares honestly

Probitas Doctrina

Op how man Dan fodio university sokoto?

Hezzyluv:

All of them should utilise chunk of their Lands for agriculture. 10,000 hactares no be moi moi

Meanwhile the 8th on the list possesses a vast amount of farmland that some local chieftains are battling in court to seize.

yarimo:
Op how man Dan fodio university sokoto?

@Big Man Yarimo, the Article only mentioned Eleven Biggest University In Nigeria By Land Mass.

But I hope they can use their lands for Agriculture, infact I heard some Higher Institutions are using their Lands for Farming.

Great100000:
@Big Man Yarimo, the Article only mentioned Eleven Biggest University In Nigeria By Land Mass.

is like you just quote without understanding simple question ? Do you think Dan fodio is a small university by land mass ?

Hezzyluv:
I had been to some of these Universities. UniAbuja is way... backward compared others. Na glorified glorified secondary. Anyway, na land them dey talk about Sha.

How is it backward? Some of you will just open mouth and be saying rubbish

But schools abroad

Great100000:
Nigeria has 274 universities as of 2024. Nigeria is recognised as the most populous country in Africa, both in of population and landmass. But this is not all that the nation is known for. This country’s workforce and plenty of natural resources allow it to maintain its educational and other competitive edge. As a result, more schools across the country will have the financial capacity.

In addition to having stunning grounds, these universities offer a wide range of educational programs on their expansive campuses. Finding out how big these colleges are can give you important information about Nigeria’s academic infrastructure and growth prospects, whether you’re a prospective student or just interested in the country’s educational system.

In Nigeria, size is important when it comes to higher education. Scattered campuses with a wealth of resources and facilities are available to students at Nigeria’s largest university by land mass. These universities are distinguished not only by their geographical locations but also by the courses they provide and the number of students they enroll.

According to Schoolings and data from the schools’ websites, here is the list of the top 10 biggest university in nigeria by land mass:

1. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) – 15,000 hectares

The University of Ilorin is at the top of this list of Nigerian universities with the largest acreage. With 15,000 hectares of land, it is Nigeria’s largest university. The University of Ilorin is situated in latitude 8.4799° N and longitude 4.5418° E in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State.

It is roughly 300 kilometers from Lagos, the country’s economic center, and 500 kilometers from Abuja. One of the first universities in sub-Saharan Africa to offer academic programs continuously for more than 16 years is the University of Ilorin.

2. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)- 13,000 hectares

The federal government owns this institution. OAU is situated in Ile-Ife, the Yorubaland region’s historic hub.

The university’s founding ceremony took place in 1961. In October 1962, the first classes were conducted. Under the direction of the late Samuel Ladoke Akintola, the Western Nigerian regional government oversaw this establishment at the time, which was known as the University of Ife.

The university was renamed Obafemi Awolowo University on May 2, 1987, and it has remained that way to this day. The school bears the name of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who worked hard to develop this area and was the first premier of the Western Region of Nigeria.

3. University of Abuja (UNIABUJA)- 11,824 hectares

The institution has a permanent location of around 11,824 hectares along the Kaduna-Lokoja-Abuja Road, as well as a mini campus in Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria.

The University of Abuja began operations in a temporary location known as the “mini-campus,” which consisted of three blocks of buildings intended for a primary school in Gwagwalada.

The mini-campus began to host academic activities in 1990. An area of more than 11,800 hectares along the Abuja Airport road was given to the college in the same year so that its major campus could be developed.

4. Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) – 10,650 hectares

Located in Minna, Niger State, the Federal University of Technology, Minna is a leading institution for science and technology education.

5. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) – 10,000 hectares

After four technological institutions that had merged in 1984 were disbanded by federal authorities, this institution began on January 1, 1988. FUNAAB spans 10,000 hectares in total.

6. Ahmadu Bello University(ABU) – 7,000 hectares

Situated in Kaduna State, this research university functions under the oversight of the federal government. October 4, 1962, saw the founding of the ABU. The University of Northern Nigeria was the original name of the establishment.

They have two campuses Samaru and Kongo. The total land area of ABU is roughly 7,000 hectares.

7. Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) – 4,048 hectares

This school is located in Owerri, Imo State, as the name implies. The land where the school is located is 4,048 hectares. Because of this, FUTO is ranked number six in our Top 10. In the Southeast and South-South, it is the top tech university.

8. University of Benin (UNIBEN) – 1748 hectares

This institution’s geography roughly resembles that of FUTO, and it possesses a vast amount of farmlandthat some local chieftains are battling in court to seize. The school is located in Edo State. This school was established in 1970 and is owned by the federal government.

9.University of Ibadan (UI) – 1,032hectares

The University of Ibadan (UI), founded in 1948, is the oldest university in Nigeria. In 1962, it gained independence from its original affiliation with the University of London as University College Ibadan.
With 1,032 hectares of land, this university qualified for our ranking of the top 10 largest universities in Nigeria by landmass. Like the majority of the federal educational system, it began modestly and now houses more than 33,000 pupils. UI is located in Ibadan, Oyo State, as its name implies.

10. The American University of Nigeria (AUN)- 2,500 acres

For the private sector, AUN is at the top of our ranking. This is a special institution. In all of Sub-Saharan Africa, it is the first of its sort. As a student, you get to enjoy amazing buildings, surroundings, facilities, and personnel because it is designed to be an American school in every sense of the word.

Due to its success in acquiring more than 2,500 acres of land, AUN was included in our ranking of the Top 10 biggest university in nigeria by land mass.

11. Redeemers University Nigeria – 2,010acres

This organization has Christian roots. Established and run Redeemed Christian Church of God(RCCG), this institute was also established. It has been taking use of its position as one of the nation’s best private institutions. It was been recognized among 15 of Africa’s most prominent universities.

Source: https://businessday.ng/education/article/top-11-biggest-university-in-nigeria-by-land-mass/

OOU is bigger than all the schools on your list

sleek214:

How is it backward? Some of you will just open and be saying rubbish

I graduated from that institution. In of structure/academic arrangements, it's back when compared to the listed Universities. Na them get terrible labs compared to others. Except maybe after I left there.

I'm a victim of UniAbuja wahala, Im not saying rubbish. You should ask me my reasons before you begin to dey yarn dust or attack me.

Do you know what it means for engineering students getting to 400L only for them to be told they're not accredited and they have to divert them to other courses? You know how the medical student suffered? No be backwardness be that? UniIlorin or FUT go do there students like that?

A sane society would convert those lands to agriculture to produce more food in the country

Unilag have the LARGEST Seashore in the World.

SadiqBabaSani:
Uni ILorin land shud be used for Agriculture

Reason why I took our ASUU as unserious entity,if we couldn't compete in tech while can't we develop the agriculture sector to fund the school

Nigerian universities ought to be financially responsible and independent, considering the land assets, I was thinking even owning a real estate department, building upscale, high rises will be a good source of rental income

Unilorin is better by far. As previously suggested, the land is being utilized for value addition.

Those parcel of Land should be put to Agricultural and Ecological use

The quantity of Wild Life losr to Banditry and Boko Haram needs attention

And we are to ping high class with countries with the lowest IQ. Our institutions are just matters.

Funaab is 40000 hectares


Make your findings right.
29 villages were exited to create land for the school.

What's the source of your data

Futo is at the back of my villa, drive through futo to other neighbouring villages often, I schooled in Unizik, awka, I doubt if futo is larger in land mass.

With this i doubt other numbers you are presenting

....but wiked man running Abuja is threatening to take over uniabuja land for his friends and cronies now.

His die hard Mumu would attack you, saying he wanted to develop foreign land, yet several of his village back home yet to be developed.

It is not how big that matters o, it is what they use it to produce. Some men get am extra big but dem still never born

Una mates for Europe de drag number of research, Una de drag land mass

Great100000:

Source: https://businessday.ng/education/article/top-11-biggest-university-in-nigeria-by-land-mass/

Land mass without standard facilities

Most schools abroad, especially in the UK were built on small area of land but are equipped with massive infrastructure

It's not about land mass, its about the quality of products they churn out every year.

I don't believe this report, where is UNN? How on earth would FUTO be in the list and UNN is missing? If I have not been to any other Universities in the list, at least I can speak on FUTO and UNN; I schooled in both. FUTO is not up to 1/3 of UNN, Nsukka by land mass.

This report to me is FALSE.

Only Universities of Agriculture, was supposed to have large area space.

For Others 1,000hectre is ok