78 Best universities for Physics 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 Physics. A graph of 1.51M citations received by 148K academic papers made by 78 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 Physics

#27 in Africa

#1301 in the World

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

2. University of Nigeria

Nigeria | Nsukka

For Physics

#31 in Africa

#1440 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1960

3. Obafemi Awolowo University

For Physics

#37 in Africa

#1578 in the World

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

4. Federal University of Technology, Akure

Nigeria | Akure

For Physics

#39 in Africa

#1649 in the World

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

5. Ahmadu Bello University

Nigeria | Zaria

For Physics

#44 in Africa

#1717 in the World

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

6. University of Lagos

Nigeria | Lagos

For Physics

#49 in Africa

#1812 in the World

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

7. Covenant University

For Physics

#50 in Africa

#1871 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2002

8. University of Ilorin

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Physics

#51 in Africa

#1881 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 1975

9. University of Port Harcourt

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Physics

#54 in Africa

#1902 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

10. University of Benin

Nigeria | Benin

For Physics

#59 in Africa

#1987 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1970

11. University of Calabar

Nigeria | Calabar

For Physics

#70 in Africa

#2164 in the World

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

12. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

For Physics

#80 in Africa

#2275 in the World

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

13. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

Nigeria | Ogbomoso

For Physics

#81 in Africa

#2311 in the World

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

14. Federal University of Technology, Owerri

Nigeria | Owerri

For Physics

#87 in Africa

#2396 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1980

15. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Nigeria | Abeokuta

For Physics

#92 in Africa

#2439 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Founded: 1988

16. University of Uyo

For Physics

#93 in Africa

#2467 in the World

Founded: 1991

17. Federal University of Technology, Minna

Nigeria | Minna

For Physics

#99 in Africa

#2576 in the World

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

18. Bayero University Kano

For Physics

#105 in Africa

#2659 in the World

Enrollment: 45,810
Founded: 1975

19. Rivers State University

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Physics

#107 in Africa

#2808 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1980

20. Landmark University

Nigeria | Omu-Aran

For Physics

#119 in Africa

#3023 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 2011

21. Delta State University, Abraka

Nigeria | Abraka

For Physics

#120 in Africa

#3042 in the World

Founded: 1992

22. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Physics

#121 in Africa

#3057 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1982

23. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture

Nigeria | Umuahia

For Physics

#125 in Africa

#3114 in the World

Enrollment: 20,000
Founded: 1992

24. University of Maiduguri

Nigeria | Maiduguri

For Physics

#130 in Africa

#3152 in the World

Enrollment: 52,000
Founded: 1975

25. Olabisi Onabanjo University

Nigeria | Ago Iwoye

For Physics

#135 in Africa

#3229 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1982

26. Niger Delta University

Nigeria | Wilberforce Island

For Physics

#147 in Africa

#3477 in the World

Enrollment: 20,000
Founded: 2000

27. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University

Nigeria | Bauchi

For Physics

#148 in Africa

#3480 in the World

Founded: 1988

28. University of Agriculture, Makurdi

Nigeria | Makurdi

For Physics

#149 in Africa

#3501 in the World

Founded: 1988

29. University of Jos

For Physics

#150 in Africa

#3504 in the World

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

30. Adekunle Ajasin University

Nigeria | Akungba Akoko

For Physics

#153 in Africa

#3558 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Founded: 1982

31. Lagos State University

For Physics

#154 in Africa

#3559 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1983

32. Afe Babalola University

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Physics

#156 in Africa

#3591 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 2009

33. Ebonyi State University

Nigeria | Abakaliki

For Physics

#158 in Africa

#3638 in the World

Founded: 2000

34. Federal University of Petroleum Resources

Nigeria | Effurun

For Physics

#160 in Africa

#3747 in the World

Founded: 2007

35. Usmanu Danfodio University

Nigeria | Sokoto

For Physics

#161 in Africa

#3748 in the World

Founded: 1975

36. Benue State University

Nigeria | Makurdi

For Physics

#162 in Africa

#3757 in the World

Founded: 1992

37. Osun State University

Nigeria | Osogbo

For Physics

#165 in Africa

#3911 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Founded: 2007

38. Modibbo Adama University of Technology

For Physics

#172 in Africa

#4006 in the World

Founded: 1988

39. Akwa Ibom State University

Nigeria | Ikot Akpad

For Physics

#175 in Africa

#4053 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 2009

40. Ambrose Alli University

Nigeria | Ekpoma

For Physics

#176 in Africa

#4055 in the World

Founded: 1980

41. Kwara State University

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Physics

#180 in Africa

#4093 in the World

Founded: 2009

42. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti

Nigeria | Oye-Ekiti

For Physics

#181 in Africa

#4102 in the World

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

43. University of Abuja

Nigeria | Abuja

For Physics

#182 in Africa

#4118 in the World

Enrollment: 35,372
Founded: 1988

44. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University

For Physics

#187 in Africa

#4158 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Founded: 2000

45. Enugu State University of Science and Technology

Nigeria | Enugu

For Physics

#188 in Africa

#4165 in the World

Founded: 1981

46. Redeemer's University

For Physics

#191 in Africa

#4215 in the World

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

47. Imo State University

Nigeria | Owerri

For Physics

#192 in Africa

#4220 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1981

48. Abia State University

Nigeria | Uturu

For Physics

#202 in Africa

#4358 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1981

49. Kaduna State University

Nigeria | Kaduna

For Physics

#214 in Africa

#4532 in the World

Founded: 2004

50. African University of Science and Technology

Nigeria | Abuja

For Physics

#217 in Africa

#4567 in the World

Founded: 2007

51. Lead City University

Nigeria | Ibadan

For Physics

#219 in Africa

#4584 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Founded: 2005

52. Federal University, Lafia

Nigeria | Lafia

For Physics

#225 in Africa

#4626 in the World

Enrollment: 20,000
Founded: 2011

53. Pan-Atlantic University

Nigeria | Lagos

For Physics

#227 in Africa

#4641 in the World

Founded: 2002

54. Babcock University

Nigeria | Ilishan-Remo

For Physics

#229 in Africa

#4690 in the World

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

55. Bells University of Technology

For Physics

#231 in Africa

#4723 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 2005

56. Nasarawa State University

Nigeria | Keffi

For Physics

#233 in Africa

#4794 in the World

Enrollment: 35,000
Founded: 2002

57. Kogi State University

Nigeria | Anyigba

For Physics

#234 in Africa

#4807 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1999

58. Bowen University

For Physics

#235 in Africa

#4808 in the World

Enrollment: 4,751
Founded: 2001

59. Ondo State University of Science and Technology

Nigeria | Okitipupa

For Physics

#247 in Africa

#5054 in the World

Founded: 2008

60. Tai Solarin University of Education

Nigeria | Ijebu-Ode

For Physics

#251 in Africa

#5113 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2005

61. Gombe State University

Nigeria | Gombe

For Physics

#253 in Africa

#5167 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Founded: 2004

62. Adamawa State University

For Physics

#255 in Africa

#5187 in the World

Founded: 2002

63. Federal University, Otuoke

Nigeria | Otuoke

For Physics

#257 in Africa

#5248 in the World

Founded: 2011

64. Federal University, Lokoja

Nigeria | Lokoja

For Physics

#258 in Africa

#5293 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 2011

65. Crescent University, Abeokuta

Nigeria | Abeokuta

For Physics

#260 in Africa

#5298 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Founded: 2005

66. American University of Nigeria

For Physics

#266 in Africa

#5402 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 2004

67. Fountain University, Osogbo

Nigeria | Osogbo

For Physics

#270 in Africa

#5457 in the World

Founded: 2007

68. Joseph Ayo Babalola University

Nigeria | Ikeji-Arakeji

For Physics

#271 in Africa

#5461 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 2006

69. Umaru Musa Yar'Adua University

Nigeria | Katsina

For Physics

#275 in Africa

#5536 in the World

Founded: 2006

70. Federal University, Birnin Kebbi

Nigeria | Birnin Kebbi

For Physics

#283 in Africa

#5708 in the World

Enrollment: 7,000
Founded: 2013

71. Adeleke University

For Physics

#288 in Africa

#5767 in the World

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

72. Igbinedion University Okada

Nigeria | Okada

For Physics

#296 in Africa

#5884 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1999

73. Bingham University

Nigeria | Auta Balifi

For Physics

#299 in Africa

#5934 in the World

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

74. Ajayi Crowther University

For Physics

#302 in Africa

#5948 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Founded: 2005

75. Benson Idahosa University

Nigeria | Benin

For Physics

#320 in Africa

#6187 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Founded: 2002

76. Novena University

Nigeria | Ogume

For Physics

#332 in Africa

#6428 in the World

Founded: 2005

77. Caleb University

Nigeria | Imota

For Physics

#335 in Africa

#6472 in the World

Founded: 2007

78. Paul University

For Physics

#345 in Africa

#6623 in the World

Founded: 2009

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

Physics subfields in Nigeria

Acoustical Engineering52

Astrophysics and Astronomy63

Atomic and Molecular physics15

Condensed Matter Physics22

Materials Science76

Medical Physics2

Nanotechnology54

Nuclear Physics49

Optical Engineering68

Quantum and Particle physics77

Theoretical Physics14