79 Best universities for Liberal Arts & Social Sciences 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 Liberal Arts & Social Sciences. A graph of 1.75M citations received by 211K academic papers made by 79 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 Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#11 in Africa

#784 in the World

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

2. University of Nigeria

Nigeria | Nsukka

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#18 in Africa

#1089 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1960

3. Obafemi Awolowo University

Nigeria | Ife

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#22 in Africa

#1157 in the World

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

4. University of Lagos

Nigeria | Lagos

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#27 in Africa

#1371 in the World

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

5. University of Calabar

Nigeria | Calabar

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#41 in Africa

#1705 in the World

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

6. University of Ilorin

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#43 in Africa

#1724 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 1975

7. Covenant University

Nigeria | Ota

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#44 in Africa

#1728 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2002

8. University of Port Harcourt

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#50 in Africa

#1817 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

9. Ahmadu Bello University

Nigeria | Zaria

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#56 in Africa

#1918 in the World

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

10. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Nigeria | Awka

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#58 in Africa

#1947 in the World

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

11. University of Benin

Nigeria | Benin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#66 in Africa

#2078 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1970

12. Federal University of Technology, Akure

Nigeria | Akure

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#75 in Africa

#2285 in the World

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

13. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#87 in Africa

#2444 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1982

14. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Nigeria | Abeokuta

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#93 in Africa

#2563 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Founded: 1988

15. Lagos State University

Nigeria | Ojo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#94 in Africa

#2576 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1983

16. Rivers State University

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#97 in Africa

#2643 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1980

17. Bayero University Kano

Nigeria | Kano

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#98 in Africa

#2657 in the World

Enrollment: 45,810
Founded: 1975

18. University of Uyo

Nigeria | Uyo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#101 in Africa

#2747 in the World

Founded: 1991

19. Delta State University, Abraka

Nigeria | Abraka

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#102 in Africa

#2766 in the World

Founded: 1992

20. Olabisi Onabanjo University

Nigeria | Ago Iwoye

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#107 in Africa

#2883 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1982

21. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

Nigeria | Ogbomoso

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#111 in Africa

#2951 in the World

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

22. University of Maiduguri

Nigeria | Maiduguri

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#112 in Africa

#2954 in the World

Enrollment: 52,000
Founded: 1975

23. University of Jos

Nigeria | Jos

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#114 in Africa

#3024 in the World

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

24. Ebonyi State University

Nigeria | Abakaliki

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#117 in Africa

#3081 in the World

Founded: 2000

25. Usmanu Danfodio University

Nigeria | Sokoto

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#118 in Africa

#3111 in the World

Founded: 1975

26. Babcock University

Nigeria | Ilishan-Remo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#126 in Africa

#3235 in the World

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

27. Adekunle Ajasin University

Nigeria | Akungba Akoko

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#130 in Africa

#3325 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Founded: 1982

28. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture

Nigeria | Umuahia

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#139 in Africa

#3513 in the World

Enrollment: 20,000
Founded: 1992

29. Federal University of Technology, Owerri

Nigeria | Owerri

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#141 in Africa

#3538 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1980

30. Niger Delta University

Nigeria | Wilberforce Island

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#143 in Africa

#3555 in the World

Enrollment: 20,000
Founded: 2000

31. University of Abuja

Nigeria | Abuja

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#144 in Africa

#3562 in the World

Enrollment: 35,372
Founded: 1988

32. Federal University of Technology, Minna

Nigeria | Minna

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#146 in Africa

#3583 in the World

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

33. Osun State University

Nigeria | Osogbo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#159 in Africa

#3690 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Founded: 2007

34. Ambrose Alli University

Nigeria | Ekpoma

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#160 in Africa

#3697 in the World

Founded: 1980

35. Pan-Atlantic University

Nigeria | Lagos

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#162 in Africa

#3721 in the World

Founded: 2002

36. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University

Nigeria | Uli

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#165 in Africa

#3760 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Founded: 2000

37. Enugu State University of Science and Technology

Nigeria | Enugu

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#174 in Africa

#3892 in the World

Founded: 1981

38. Lead City University

Nigeria | Ibadan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#179 in Africa

#3921 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Founded: 2005

39. University of Agriculture, Makurdi

Nigeria | Makurdi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#182 in Africa

#3961 in the World

Founded: 1988

40. Landmark University

Nigeria | Omu-Aran

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#187 in Africa

#4033 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 2011

41. Benue State University

Nigeria | Makurdi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#188 in Africa

#4055 in the World

Founded: 1992

42. Abia State University

Nigeria | Uturu

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#189 in Africa

#4057 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1981

43. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University

Nigeria | Bauchi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#191 in Africa

#4079 in the World

Founded: 1988

44. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti

Nigeria | Oye-Ekiti

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#196 in Africa

#4168 in the World

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

45. Redeemer's University

Nigeria | Ede

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#199 in Africa

#4189 in the World

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

46. Afe Babalola University

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#200 in Africa

#4193 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 2009

47. Kogi State University

Nigeria | Anyigba

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#201 in Africa

#4231 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1999

48. Nasarawa State University

Nigeria | Keffi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#202 in Africa

#4234 in the World

Enrollment: 35,000
Founded: 2002

49. Modibbo Adama University of Technology

Nigeria | Yola

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#210 in Africa

#4410 in the World

Founded: 1988

50. Imo State University

Nigeria | Owerri

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#213 in Africa

#4422 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1981

51. Kwara State University

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#215 in Africa

#4467 in the World

Founded: 2009

52. Kaduna State University

Nigeria | Kaduna

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#231 in Africa

#4781 in the World

Founded: 2004

53. Federal University, Lafia

Nigeria | Lafia

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#238 in Africa

#4912 in the World

Enrollment: 20,000
Founded: 2011

54. Akwa Ibom State University

Nigeria | Ikot Akpad

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#244 in Africa

#5012 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 2009

55. Bowen University

Nigeria | Iwo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#248 in Africa

#5076 in the World

Enrollment: 4,751
Founded: 2001

56. Joseph Ayo Babalola University

Nigeria | Ikeji-Arakeji

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#249 in Africa

#5102 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 2006

57. Gombe State University

Nigeria | Gombe

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#250 in Africa

#5117 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Founded: 2004

58. American University of Nigeria

Nigeria | Yola

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#251 in Africa

#5121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 2004

59. Tai Solarin University of Education

Nigeria | Ijebu-Ode

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#265 in Africa

#5304 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2005

60. Ondo State University of Science and Technology

Nigeria | Okitipupa

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#268 in Africa

#5358 in the World

Founded: 2008

61. Federal University, Otuoke

Nigeria | Otuoke

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#278 in Africa

#5525 in the World

Founded: 2011

62. Federal University of Petroleum Resources

Nigeria | Effurun

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#280 in Africa

#5572 in the World

Founded: 2007

63. Bells University of Technology

Nigeria | Ota

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#281 in Africa

#5578 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 2005

64. Federal University, Lokoja

Nigeria | Lokoja

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#282 in Africa

#5581 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 2011

65. Igbinedion University Okada

Nigeria | Okada

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#288 in Africa

#5663 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1999

66. Adamawa State University

Nigeria | Mubi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#296 in Africa

#5783 in the World

Founded: 2002

67. Bingham University

Nigeria | Auta Balifi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#297 in Africa

#5788 in the World

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

68. Federal University, Birnin Kebbi

Nigeria | Birnin Kebbi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#298 in Africa

#5793 in the World

Enrollment: 7,000
Founded: 2013

69. Ajayi Crowther University

Nigeria | Oyo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#312 in Africa

#6051 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Founded: 2005

70. Umaru Musa Yar'Adua University

Nigeria | Katsina

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#313 in Africa

#6053 in the World

Founded: 2006

71. Adeleke University

Nigeria | Ede

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#314 in Africa

#6054 in the World

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

72. Benson Idahosa University

Nigeria | Benin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#315 in Africa

#6082 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Founded: 2002

73. Paul University

Nigeria | Awka

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#317 in Africa

#6104 in the World

Founded: 2009

74. Novena University

Nigeria | Ogume

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#318 in Africa

#6111 in the World

Founded: 2005

75. Crescent University, Abeokuta

Nigeria | Abeokuta

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#324 in Africa

#6189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Founded: 2005

76. Fountain University, Osogbo

Nigeria | Osogbo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#326 in Africa

#6249 in the World

Founded: 2007

77. African University of Science and Technology

Nigeria | Abuja

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#327 in Africa

#6259 in the World

Founded: 2007

78. Caleb University

Nigeria | Imota

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#338 in Africa

#6439 in the World

Founded: 2007

79. Wellspring University

Nigeria | Benin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#361 in Africa

#6855 in the World

Enrollment: 500
Founded: 2009

The best cities to study Liberal Arts & Social Sciences in Nigeria based on the number of universities and their ranks are Ibadan, Nsukka, Ife, and Lagos.