77 Best universities for Development Studies in Nigeria

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Nigeria ranked based on their research performance in Development Studies. A graph of 526K citations received by 57.3K academic papers made by 77 universities in Nigeria was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Ibadan

Nigeria | Ibadan

For Development Studies

#10 in Africa

#306 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 41,269
Founded: 1948

2. University of Nigeria

Nigeria | Nsukka

For Development Studies

#13 in Africa

#395 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1960

3. Obafemi Awolowo University

For Development Studies

#15 in Africa

#447 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Enrollment: 32,480
Founded: 1962

4. University of Lagos

Nigeria | Lagos

For Development Studies

#21 in Africa

#563 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 48,680
Founded: 1962

5. Covenant University

For Development Studies

#25 in Africa

#696 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2002

6. University of Ilorin

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Development Studies

#33 in Africa

#837 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 1975

7. University of Calabar

Nigeria | Calabar

For Development Studies

#35 in Africa

#875 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 40,645
Founded: 1975

8. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

For Development Studies

#37 in Africa

#881 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1991

9. University of Benin

Nigeria | Benin

For Development Studies

#47 in Africa

#1044 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1970

10. University of Port Harcourt

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Development Studies

#48 in Africa

#1045 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

11. Ahmadu Bello University

Nigeria | Zaria

For Development Studies

#50 in Africa

#1070 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Enrollment: 49,436
Founded: 1962

12. Lagos State University

For Development Studies

#58 in Africa

#1229 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1983

13. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Development Studies

#59 in Africa

#1231 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1982

14. Delta State University, Abraka

Nigeria | Abraka

For Development Studies

#60 in Africa

#1260 in the World

Founded: 1992

15. Federal University of Technology, Akure

Nigeria | Akure

For Development Studies

#63 in Africa

#1323 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Enrollment: 23,100
Founded: 1981

16. Bayero University Kano

For Development Studies

#68 in Africa

#1372 in the World

Enrollment: 45,810
Founded: 1975

17. Rivers State University

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Development Studies

#74 in Africa

#1464 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1980

18. University of Uyo

For Development Studies

#76 in Africa

#1504 in the World

Founded: 1991

19. Ebonyi State University

Nigeria | Abakaliki

For Development Studies

#77 in Africa

#1521 in the World

Founded: 2000

20. Olabisi Onabanjo University

Nigeria | Ago Iwoye

For Development Studies

#81 in Africa

#1601 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1982

21. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Nigeria | Abeokuta

For Development Studies

#90 in Africa

#1679 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Founded: 1988

22. Babcock University

Nigeria | Ilishan-Remo

For Development Studies

#92 in Africa

#1718 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 130,000
Founded: 1999

23. University of Jos

For Development Studies

#95 in Africa

#1757 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 52,000
Founded: 1975

24. Usmanu Danfodio University

Nigeria | Sokoto

For Development Studies

#98 in Africa

#1823 in the World

Founded: 1975

25. Adekunle Ajasin University

Nigeria | Akungba Akoko

For Development Studies

#99 in Africa

#1835 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Founded: 1982

26. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

Nigeria | Ogbomoso

For Development Studies

#102 in Africa

#1855 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 30,000
Founded: 1990

27. University of Abuja

Nigeria | Abuja

For Development Studies

#105 in Africa

#1944 in the World

Enrollment: 35,372
Founded: 1988

28. Ambrose Alli University

Nigeria | Ekpoma

For Development Studies

#114 in Africa

#2070 in the World

Founded: 1980

29. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture

Nigeria | Umuahia

For Development Studies

#118 in Africa

#2082 in the World

Enrollment: 20,000
Founded: 1992

30. University of Maiduguri

Nigeria | Maiduguri

For Development Studies

#121 in Africa

#2114 in the World

Enrollment: 52,000
Founded: 1975

31. Abia State University

Nigeria | Uturu

For Development Studies

#124 in Africa

#2194 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1981

32. Enugu State University of Science and Technology

Nigeria | Enugu

For Development Studies

#125 in Africa

#2197 in the World

Founded: 1981

33. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University

For Development Studies

#126 in Africa

#2208 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Founded: 2000

34. Pan-Atlantic University

Nigeria | Lagos

For Development Studies

#127 in Africa

#2271 in the World

Founded: 2002

35. Niger Delta University

Nigeria | Wilberforce Island

For Development Studies

#131 in Africa

#2358 in the World

Enrollment: 20,000
Founded: 2000

36. Osun State University

Nigeria | Osogbo

For Development Studies

#132 in Africa

#2370 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Founded: 2007

37. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti

Nigeria | Oye-Ekiti

For Development Studies

#140 in Africa

#2489 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Enrollment: 20,000
Founded: 2011

38. Federal University of Technology, Minna

Nigeria | Minna

For Development Studies

#142 in Africa

#2523 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Enrollment: 26,181
Founded: 1982

39. Federal University of Technology, Owerri

Nigeria | Owerri

For Development Studies

#143 in Africa

#2532 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1980

40. Landmark University

Nigeria | Omu-Aran

For Development Studies

#146 in Africa

#2595 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 2011

41. Benue State University

Nigeria | Makurdi

For Development Studies

#149 in Africa

#2611 in the World

Founded: 1992

42. Kogi State University

Nigeria | Anyigba

For Development Studies

#152 in Africa

#2623 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1999

43. Lead City University

Nigeria | Ibadan

For Development Studies

#157 in Africa

#2697 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Founded: 2005

44. Redeemer's University

For Development Studies

#159 in Africa

#2718 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 2005

45. Afe Babalola University

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Development Studies

#163 in Africa

#2758 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 2009

46. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University

Nigeria | Bauchi

For Development Studies

#165 in Africa

#2805 in the World

Founded: 1988

47. University of Agriculture, Makurdi

Nigeria | Makurdi

For Development Studies

#168 in Africa

#2879 in the World

Founded: 1988

48. Imo State University

Nigeria | Owerri

For Development Studies

#171 in Africa

#2907 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1981

49. Modibbo Adama University of Technology

For Development Studies

#172 in Africa

#2933 in the World

Founded: 1988

50. Nasarawa State University

Nigeria | Keffi

For Development Studies

#179 in Africa

#3052 in the World

Enrollment: 35,000
Founded: 2002

51. Kwara State University

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Development Studies

#186 in Africa

#3207 in the World

Founded: 2009

52. Bowen University

For Development Studies

#191 in Africa

#3320 in the World

Enrollment: 4,751
Founded: 2001

53. African University of Science and Technology

Nigeria | Abuja

For Development Studies

#194 in Africa

#3400 in the World

Founded: 2007

54. Federal University, Lafia

Nigeria | Lafia

For Development Studies

#197 in Africa

#3425 in the World

Enrollment: 20,000
Founded: 2011

55. Bells University of Technology

For Development Studies

#199 in Africa

#3446 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 2005

56. Gombe State University

Nigeria | Gombe

For Development Studies

#200 in Africa

#3451 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Founded: 2004

57. Tai Solarin University of Education

Nigeria | Ijebu-Ode

For Development Studies

#201 in Africa

#3455 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2005

58. Kaduna State University

Nigeria | Kaduna

For Development Studies

#204 in Africa

#3506 in the World

Founded: 2004

59. American University of Nigeria

For Development Studies

#217 in Africa

#3650 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 2004

60. Akwa Ibom State University

Nigeria | Ikot Akpad

For Development Studies

#222 in Africa

#3773 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 2009

61. Ondo State University of Science and Technology

Nigeria | Okitipupa

For Development Studies

#231 in Africa

#3956 in the World

Founded: 2008

62. Federal University, Otuoke

Nigeria | Otuoke

For Development Studies

#246 in Africa

#4191 in the World

Founded: 2011

63. Federal University, Lokoja

Nigeria | Lokoja

For Development Studies

#247 in Africa

#4193 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 2011

64. Joseph Ayo Babalola University

Nigeria | Ikeji-Arakeji

For Development Studies

#250 in Africa

#4238 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 2006

65. Benson Idahosa University

Nigeria | Benin

For Development Studies

#254 in Africa

#4317 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Founded: 2002

66. Umaru Musa Yar'Adua University

Nigeria | Katsina

For Development Studies

#260 in Africa

#4439 in the World

Founded: 2006

67. Bingham University

Nigeria | Auta Balifi

For Development Studies

#264 in Africa

#4483 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Enrollment: 9,000
Founded: 2005

68. Igbinedion University Okada

Nigeria | Okada

For Development Studies

#271 in Africa

#4687 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1999

69. Ajayi Crowther University

For Development Studies

#274 in Africa

#4700 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Founded: 2005

70. Adamawa State University

For Development Studies

#275 in Africa

#4710 in the World

Founded: 2002

71. Federal University, Birnin Kebbi

Nigeria | Birnin Kebbi

For Development Studies

#278 in Africa

#4750 in the World

Enrollment: 7,000
Founded: 2013

72. Novena University

Nigeria | Ogume

For Development Studies

#282 in Africa

#4800 in the World

Founded: 2005

73. Federal University of Petroleum Resources

Nigeria | Effurun

For Development Studies

#293 in Africa

#4901 in the World

Founded: 2007

74. Adeleke University

For Development Studies

#296 in Africa

#4909 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 2011

75. Caleb University

Nigeria | Imota

For Development Studies

#304 in Africa

#5053 in the World

Founded: 2007

76. Crescent University, Abeokuta

Nigeria | Abeokuta

For Development Studies

#317 in Africa

#5337 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Founded: 2005

77. Fountain University, Osogbo

Nigeria | Osogbo

For Development Studies

#320 in Africa

#5346 in the World

Founded: 2007

The best cities to study Development Studies in Nigeria based on the number of universities and their ranks are Ibadan, Nsukka, Ife, and Lagos.

Economics subfields in Nigeria

Actuarial Science11

Agricultural Economics44

Econometrics and Mathematical Economics63

Environmental Economics15

International Economics15

International Relations and Diplomacy7

International Trade14

Investment Banking and Stock trading39

Political Economy28