There are over a thousand universities in West Africa, and it might interest you to find out the top-ranking universities in the West Africa region. According to data obtained from the Times Higher Education 2021 ranking, we’ll show you the 10 best universities in West Africa.
The ranking rates university performance using 13 different indicators measuring teaching, research, research impact, innovation and international outlook. In case you’re contemplating enrolling in a university in West Africa, here are the top-ranked universities you should consider.
Top Ranking Universities In West Africa
Below is the list of the top 10 best ranking universities in West Africa. According to the list, Nigeria tops the ranking with 7 universities, Ghana with 2 universities and one university in Senegal.
1. University of Ibadan
The University of Ibadan is located in Ibadan, the famous and populous capital of Oyo State, Nigeria. The University of Ibadan is the first and best public university in Nigeria. It also one of the largest Nigerian universities in terms of landmass and population. Besides being one of the best and most competitive South-Western universities, the University of Ibadan is highly regarded for its impressive academic standards.
The University of Ibadan began with just three departments – science, medicine and the arts – but has since expanded to take in 13 faculties, including social sciences, agriculture and forestry, education, technology, law and dentistry.
2. Lagos State University
Lagos State University is a public university and the second-best university in West Africa according to THE. The University was established in 1983 and is operating three major campuses, namely: Ojo, Ukeja and Epa.
LASU, as it is fondly called, has over 35,000 non-residential students enrolling for full time in courses at diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The Ojo campus is the main campus and the location of the central administration. It houses the faculties of arts, education, law, management sciences, science and social sciences, school of transport, school of communication, centre for environment studies and sustainable development, centre for general Nigerian studies, centre for planning studies, information and communication technology centre, online and distance learning and research institute and centre for entrepreneurial studies.
3. University of Lagos
The University of Lagos is located in the commercial capital of Nigeria. It was established in 1962 by the federal government and is popularly known as UNILAG. The University of Ghana is the 6th best university in West Africa.
The University of Lagos is one of the most populous universities in Nigeria. In the aspect of enrolment, the university enrolls nearly 10,000 candidates per year.
4. Covenant University
Covenant University, is the best and most ranking university in West Africa. The University is a private Pentecostal Christian university located in Ota, Nigeria. Covenant University of the fastest growing university in the West Africa region. Covenant University is also the 9th best university in Africa.
It has four colleges, mostly dedicated to vocational studies: the College of Business and Social Sciences; the College of Leadership and Development Studies; the College of Engineering; and the College of Science and Technology.
Covenant is affiliated with the Living Faith Church Worldwide and is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Association of African Universities and the National Universities Commission.
5. University of Ghana
Established in 1948, the University of Ghana located in Accra is the best university in Ghana and the 5th best in West Africa. The University was founded as ‘University College of the Gold Coast’ – an affiliated college of the University of London. It is also the oldest and largest of Ghana’s 10 public universities.
The university is run on a collegiate system and is divided into four colleges: the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Health Sciences, and the College of Humanities.
6. University of Nigeria Nsukka
The University of Nigeria Nsukka sits at 6th among the top-ranking universities in West Africa.
The University of Nigeria Nsukka was established in October, 7th 1960. It is one of the foremost Universities in the eastern part of Nigeria. The university has 102 academic departments across 15 faculties, and it offers 82 undergraduate programmes and 211 postgraduate programmes.
Research activity is undertaken across the institution in the areas of African studies, education, developmental studies and herbal medicine and drugs research and development. There are also centres established to explore climate change, space science and energy research.
7. Obafemi Awolowo University
Obafemi Awolowo University is located in the ancient city of Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Popularly known as OAU, the University was established in 1962 and is the 5th most ranking university in West Africa.
As part of the prestigious universities owned and financed by the Nigerian government, OAU makes provisions for candidates to enroll for post-graduate and undergraduate programmes. Meanwhile, these programmes are offered in various fields of study including medical sciences, the arts, engineering, social sciences, natural sciences, the humanities and so forth.
8. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Ghana is the 7th most ranked university in West Africa.
Founded in 1952, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology also known as KNUST is located in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The University is one of the foremost public university in Ghana.
9. Universite Cheikh Anta Diop
Alternatively regarded as the University of Dakar, Cheikh Anta Diop University is the best university in Senegal. It is located in the Senegalese capital –Dakar. It is one of the most competitive Senegalese universities with a high number of admission-seekers.
Although the university is alternatively called the University of Dakar, Cheikh Anta Diop University is attributed to a significant Senegalese who was well-known as an anthropologist, historian, and physicist.
10 Ahmadu Bello University
The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) is ranked 10th in the West Africa university ranking. ABU Zaria is one of the foremost Universities situated in the Northern part of Nigeria.
The Ahmadu Bello University Zaria was established in 1962 and is one of the top ranking universities in Nigeria. The university also offers a wide range of course
