Private universities dominate Nigeria’s higher education sector, accounting for 53% of all universities in Nigeria

Key Takeaways

  • Private universities in Nigeria outnumber federal and state institutions combined.
  • Nigeria has 159 private universities, more than double the number of federal universities.
  • Federal universities stand at 72, showing steady federal government investment in tertiary education.
  • State-owned universities number 66, slightly fewer than federal universities but forming a significant part of public education.

At the latest count, Nigeria is home to a total of 297 universities spread across federal, state, and private ownership. Of these, private universities lead significantly with 159 institutions, over 53% of all universities, reflecting a growing trend in private-sector investment in higher education. This rapid growth highlights increased demand for tertiary education and a willingness among individuals and organisations to bridge the gap left by public institutions.

Federal universities, totaling 72, remain central to Nigeria’s public education infrastructure, offering subsidised education across all regions. State universities follow closely with 66 institutions, catering to local populations. Together, public universities account for 46% of the national total, showing that while government presence remains strong, private universities are reshaping the educational landscape.

Source:

National University Commission (NUC)

Period:

July 2025
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Nigeria’s foreign trade
  • Total Trade Volume in Q1 2025 stood at ₦36.02 trillion, with exports totalling ₦20.6 trillion and imports at ₦15.4 trillion, resulting in a surplus of ₦5.17 trillion.
  • Crude oil dominates Nigeria’s export trade, accounting for the largest share of export revenue. -
  • Other petroleum oil products are also a major export item, reflecting the significance of both raw and refined oil-based commodities in Nigeria’s trade portfolio. -
  • On the import side, manufactured goods dominate, showing Nigeria’s continued reliance on foreign machinery, technology, and consumer goods.
  • While Nigeria exports mostly raw and oil-based products, it imports refined, processed, or industrial goods, indicating a structural trade gap and limited local industrial capacity. -
  • Agricultural and raw material goods feature on both sides of trade, but their value is significantly less than petroleum-related trade.

Nigeria's foreign trade
  • India is Nigeria’s largest export destination Nigeria exported ₦2.84 trillion worth of goods to India in Q1 2025, driven largely by crude oil.
  • China dominates imports into Nigeria China supplied ₦4.66 trillion worth of goods, far outpacing all other countries. Likely dominated by electronics, machinery, and manufactured goods.
  • The United States appears on both sides. Nigeria exports ₦1.54 trillion to the US and imports ₦1.42 trillion, showing a relatively balanced trade relationship.
  • European countries are major export Partners Netherlands (₦2.30T), France (₦1.44T), and Spain (₦1.44T) are prominent export destinations, indicating strong demand for Nigerian crude oil and other commodities in Europe.
  • UAE barely makes the import list. The UAE closes out the top import list at ₦0.61 trillion, showing relatively lower trade volume compared to others, but still significant enough to be in the top 5.

Cars lead in road traffic crashes, while luxury bus accidents surge by 466.7% over four years
  • Cars were involved in the highest number of road accidents, recording 665 cases over the four-year period.
  • Luxury buses and bicycles recorded the highest quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) growth in accident involvement.
  • Tankers, cars, and motorcycles saw the sharpest QoQ declines, with accident rates falling by 47.2%, 30.6%, and 24.7% respectively.

42% of Nigeria’s applications have been rejected over the past 15 years amidst surging demand for Schengen visas
  • Nigerians submitted 1.1 million Schengen visa applications between 2009 and 2024.
  • The highest rejection rates occurred in 2017 (53%) and 2019 (51%).
  • A total of 491,844 applications were rejected, a cumulative denial rate of 42.1%.
  • Despite post-pandemic recovery, 2024 recorded the highest applications (111k), with a 45% rejection rate.
  • The year 2010 stands out as the period with the least number of Schengen visa applications submitted by the Nigerian consulate.

Nearly 30% of road accidents recorded in Nigeria between Q3 2020 and Q3 2024 occurred in FCT, Ogun, and Nasarawa
  • FCT, Ogun, and Nasarawa consistently rank as the top three states with the highest number of road accidents.

  • The FCT recorded its peak accident figures in 2022, particularly in Q2 (842 cases) and Q4 (864 cases).

  • In Q2 and Q3 of 2024, Ogun State surpassed the FCT in the number of reported accidents.

  • Across these three states, there has been a notable decline in accident numbers, with an average decrease of approximately 37.6% between Q2 and Q3 2024.


Over the four-year period from Q3 2020 to Q3 2024, road accidents in Nigeria declined by 53%
  • Road accidents declined by 53% between Q3 2020 and Q3 2024.
  • Q4 2022 recorded the highest number of accidents, with 4,835 reported cases.
  • Q3 2024 had the lowest number, with just 1,945 accidents.
  • Speed violation remains the leading cause of road accidents in Nigeria.
  • Ogun, FCT, Kaduna, and Nasarawa consistently rank among the top four states with the highest accident occurrences.
  • Bayelsa, Borno, Imo, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom regularly report the lowest number of accidents each quarter.
  • Commercial vehicles are the most frequently involved vehicle category in accidents.
  • Cars account for the highest number of individual vehicle accidents.

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