79 Best universities for Liberal Arts & Social Sciences in Nigeria

Updated: February 29, 2024

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 900K citations received by 148K 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

#835 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1948

2. Obafemi Awolowo University

Nigeria | Ife

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#21 in Africa

#1173 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Founded: 1962

3. University of Nigeria

Nigeria | Nsukka

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#24 in Africa

#1243 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1960

4. University of Lagos

Nigeria | Lagos

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#30 in Africa

#1456 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1962

5. Covenant University

Nigeria | Ota

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#51 in Africa

#1952 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2002

6. University of Ilorin

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#52 in Africa

#1966 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 1975

7. University of Calabar

Nigeria | Calabar

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#53 in Africa

#2003 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1975

8. University of Port Harcourt

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#55 in Africa

#2064 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

9. Ahmadu Bello University

Nigeria | Zaria

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#56 in Africa

#2066 in the World

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

10. University of Benin

Nigeria | Benin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#70 in Africa

#2265 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1970

11. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Nigeria | Awka

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#79 in Africa

#2443 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 1991

12. Federal University of Technology, Akure

Nigeria | Akure

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#81 in Africa

#2489 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Enrollment: 17,672
Founded: 1981

13. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Nigeria | Abeokuta

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#90 in Africa

#2706 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Founded: 1988

14. Bayero University Kano

Nigeria | Kano

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#92 in Africa

#2734 in the World

Founded: 1975

15. Lagos State University

Nigeria | Ojo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#101 in Africa

#2852 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1983

16. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#103 in Africa

#2911 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1982

17. University of Uyo

Nigeria | Uyo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#108 in Africa

#3034 in the World

Founded: 1991

18. Rivers State University

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#110 in Africa

#3079 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1980

19. Olabisi Onabanjo University

Nigeria | Ago Iwoye

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#112 in Africa

#3096 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1982

20. University of Maiduguri

Nigeria | Maiduguri

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#113 in Africa

#3106 in the World

Founded: 1975

21. Delta State University, Abraka

Nigeria | Abraka

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#115 in Africa

#3127 in the World

Founded: 1992

22. University of Jos

Nigeria | Jos

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#119 in Africa

#3230 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 24,169
Male:Female: 54:46
Founded: 1975

23. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

Nigeria | Ogbomoso

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#120 in Africa

#3232 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1990

24. Ebonyi State University

Nigeria | Abakaliki

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#133 in Africa

#3517 in the World

Founded: 2000

25. Usmanu Danfodio University

Nigeria | Sokoto

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#134 in Africa

#3522 in the World

Founded: 1975

26. Adekunle Ajasin University

Nigeria | Akungba Akoko

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#140 in Africa

#3614 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Founded: 1982

27. Babcock University

Nigeria | Ilishan-Remo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#150 in Africa

#3732 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1999

28. Pan-Atlantic University

Nigeria | Lagos

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#163 in Africa

#3885 in the World

Founded: 2002

29. Federal University of Technology, Owerri

Nigeria | Owerri

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#165 in Africa

#3910 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1980

30. Federal University of Technology, Minna

Nigeria | Minna

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#167 in Africa

#3932 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Founded: 1982

31. Niger Delta University

Nigeria | Wilberforce Island

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#168 in Africa

#3949 in the World

Founded: 2000

32. Ambrose Alli University

Nigeria | Ekpoma

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#170 in Africa

#3984 in the World

Founded: 1980

33. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture

Nigeria | Umuahia

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#174 in Africa

#4065 in the World

Enrollment: 20,000
Founded: 1992

34. University of Agriculture, Makurdi

Nigeria | Makurdi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#176 in Africa

#4141 in the World

Founded: 1988

35. Osun State University

Nigeria | Osogbo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#177 in Africa

#4147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Founded: 2007

36. University of Abuja

Nigeria | Abuja

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#180 in Africa

#4201 in the World

Enrollment: 4,680
Founded: 1988

37. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University

Nigeria | Uli

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#182 in Africa

#4226 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Founded: 2000

38. Abia State University

Nigeria | Uturu

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#184 in Africa

#4279 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1981

39. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University

Nigeria | Bauchi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#188 in Africa

#4317 in the World

Founded: 1988

40. Lead City University

Nigeria | Ibadan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#190 in Africa

#4347 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Founded: 2005

41. Enugu State University of Science and Technology

Nigeria | Enugu

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#191 in Africa

#4362 in the World

Enrollment: 16,092
Male:Female: 57:43
Founded: 1981

42. Redeemer's University

Nigeria | Ede

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#193 in Africa

#4394 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 2005

43. Landmark University

Nigeria | Omu-Aran

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#197 in Africa

#4425 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 2011

44. Benue State University

Nigeria | Makurdi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#205 in Africa

#4549 in the World

Founded: 1992

45. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti

Nigeria | Oye-Ekiti

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#207 in Africa

#4578 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Founded: 2011

46. Afe Babalola University

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#209 in Africa

#4663 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 2009

47. Nasarawa State University

Nigeria | Keffi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#215 in Africa

#4754 in the World

Founded: 2002

48. Imo State University

Nigeria | Owerri

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#217 in Africa

#4815 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1981

49. Kogi State University

Nigeria | Anyigba

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#218 in Africa

#4825 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1999

50. Kwara State University

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#230 in Africa

#5017 in the World

Founded: 2009

51. Kaduna State University

Nigeria | Kaduna

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#233 in Africa

#5041 in the World

Founded: 2004

52. Modibbo Adama University of Technology

Nigeria | Yola

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#235 in Africa

#5053 in the World

Founded: 1988

53. Joseph Ayo Babalola University

Nigeria | Ikeji-Arakeji

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#237 in Africa

#5108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 2006

54. Federal University, Lafia

Nigeria | Lafia

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#249 in Africa

#5283 in the World

Founded: 2011

55. Bowen University

Nigeria | Iwo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#254 in Africa

#5359 in the World

Founded: 2001

56. Gombe State University

Nigeria | Gombe

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#260 in Africa

#5443 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Founded: 2004

57. American University of Nigeria

Nigeria | Yola

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#262 in Africa

#5455 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 2004

58. Ondo State University of Science and Technology

Nigeria | Okitipupa

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#265 in Africa

#5541 in the World

Founded: 2008

59. Tai Solarin University of Education

Nigeria | Ijebu-Ode

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#267 in Africa

#5578 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2005

60. Federal University of Petroleum Resources

Nigeria | Effurun

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#278 in Africa

#5801 in the World

Founded: 2007

61. Akwa Ibom State University

Nigeria | Ikot Akpad

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#279 in Africa

#5815 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 2009

62. Igbinedion University Okada

Nigeria | Okada

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#285 in Africa

#5866 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1999

63. Paul University

Nigeria | Awka

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#288 in Africa

#5887 in the World

Founded: 2009

64. Federal University, Lokoja

Nigeria | Lokoja

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#290 in Africa

#5922 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 2011

65. Bells University of Technology

Nigeria | Ota

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#291 in Africa

#5925 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 2005

66. Federal University, Otuoke

Nigeria | Otuoke

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#295 in Africa

#5958 in the World

Founded: 2011

67. Bingham University

Nigeria | Auta Balifi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#297 in Africa

#5979 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Founded: 2005

68. Federal University, Birnin Kebbi

Nigeria | Birnin Kebbi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#311 in Africa

#6151 in the World

Enrollment: 7,000
Founded: 2013

69. Adamawa State University

Nigeria | Mubi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#312 in Africa

#6178 in the World

Founded: 2002

70. Umaru Musa Yar'Adua University

Nigeria | Katsina

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#314 in Africa

#6228 in the World

Enrollment: 13,256
Founded: 2006

71. Ajayi Crowther University

Nigeria | Oyo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#317 in Africa

#6265 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Founded: 2005

72. African University of Science and Technology

Nigeria | Abuja

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#318 in Africa

#6302 in the World

Founded: 2007

73. Novena University

Nigeria | Ogume

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#322 in Africa

#6421 in the World

Founded: 2005

74. Fountain University, Osogbo

Nigeria | Osogbo

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#324 in Africa

#6427 in the World

Founded: 2007

75. Benson Idahosa University

Nigeria | Benin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#325 in Africa

#6444 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Founded: 2002

76. Adeleke University

Nigeria | Ede

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#326 in Africa

#6452 in the World

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

77. Crescent University, Abeokuta

Nigeria | Abeokuta

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#329 in Africa

#6499 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Founded: 2005

78. Caleb University

Nigeria | Imota

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#346 in Africa

#6694 in the World

Founded: 2007

79. Wellspring University

Nigeria | Benin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#363 in Africa

#6966 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, Ife, Nsukka, and Lagos.