List of Worst Universities in Nigeria (2026)

There’s no official “worst universities” ranking published by the National Universities Commission (NUC). NUC’s job is accreditation, not a public best-to-worst league table. What you’ll find online under this title is usually a mix of webometrics rankings, informal student perception, and institutions whose programmes have had accreditation issues at some point.

This list pulls together universities that frequently come up in those discussions, along with the actual facts about each one so you can judge for yourself instead of relying on rumour.

In this article, we will look at the list of worst universities in Nigeria. This will enable prospective students to know which schools to apply to and those they shouldn’t.

Worst Federal Universities in Nigeria

1. Federal University Kashere

Federal University, Kashere (FUKASHERE), was founded in 2011. The University is located in Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria.

FUKASHERE offers more than 60 degree programmes and is fully accredited by NUC. It’s a mid-sized federal university that occasionally appears in “low-ranked” lists online due to its lower webometrics score rather than any NUC designation.

The University is an internationally recognized institution officially recognized and accredited by NUC

2. Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University

The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) was founded in 1988 in Bauchi State.

The University is an internationally recognized institution officially recognized and accredited by NUC, the National Universities Commission of Nigeria.

The Motto of ATBU is “Doctrina Mater Artium,” meaning “Education is the mother of the practical arts.”

3. Airforce Institute of Technology

Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) was founded in 2018. The University is located in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

AFIT has a student body of both military personnel and civilians.

The University is an internationally recognized institution officially recognized and accredited by NUC, the National Universities Commission of Nigeria.

5. Nigerian Army University, Biu

Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB) was founded in 2018 in Biu, Borno State, Nigeria.

The Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB) was created to produce graduates with specific competencies capable of offering technological solutions to the problems facing the Nigerian Armed Forces in Nigeria.

Worst State Universities in Nigeria

1. Enugu State University of Science and Technology

Enugu State University of Science and Technology, founded in 1982, is a non-profit public higher-education school located in the big city of Enugu.

Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) provides courses and programs that lead to recognized tertiary education degrees like bachelor’s degrees in various subjects.

2. Bauchi State University

Bauchi State University (BASUG) was established in 2011 in the small town of Gadau, Bauchi State, Nigeria. The university also has a branch in Misau.

Bauchi State University offers courses and programs leading to recognized higher education degrees in different areas of study.

3. Kano University of Science and Technology

Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil (KUST) was created as “Kano University of Technology” (KUT) in 2001.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso proposed establishing the first state university during his first tenure as governor of Kano State, from 1999 to 2003.

4. Kaduna State University

Kaduna State University is in Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria. It was established in 2004.

It has seven faculties with over 39 departments and a library that contains over 17,000 volumes of books. It has two campuses: Kafanchan and Kaduna.

5. Nasarawa State University

Nasarawa State University is located in the Nigerian town of Keffi, Nassarawa State.

NSUK is a tertiary institution established to promote the progress of learning in the state and its surrounding communities.

Worst Private Universities in Nigeria

1. Eastern Palm University

Eastern Palm University is currently known as Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Ogboko. It was established in 2016 but was renamed in 2021.

It is located in Ogboko, a small town in Ideato South Local Government Area.

2. Eko Medical and Health Sciences

Eko Medical and Health Sciences University is second on the list of the worst universities in Nigeria, with most of its courses not accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences was established in 2017. It is located in Ijaniki, Lagos State, and is the first private medical University in Nigeria and West Africa.

3. Spiritan University, Nneochi

Spiritan University was established in 2017. It is located in Umunneochi, a small town in Abia State.

The university happens to be one of the worst universities because of its lack of sufficient learning equipment and standard of teaching technique.

4. Hezekiah University

Hezekiah University was established in 2015. It is located in Umudi, a small town in Imo State.

The university is one of the worst universities in Nigeria. Aspirants who are to sit for jamb are advised not to pick the school as their choice.

5. Dominican University

Dominican University was established in 2016. It is located in Ibadan, the city capital of Oyo State.

Dominican University offers various degree programs that cut across different fields.

6. Clifford University

Clifford University was established in 2016. It is located in Ihie, a small town in Abia State, owned by the Seventh-Day Adventist, the second-largest Christian school system, owns it.

Clifford University offers various degree programs that cut across different fields, but they are among the worst university to study in Nigeria due to its lack of accredited courses and proper teaching standards.

7. Skyline University

Skyline University is one of the worst universities in Nigeria. It was established in 2018 and is located in the metropolis city of Kano.

It was the first private University to be established in Kano and the second in the whole of the North-Western region of Nigeria, which offers different degree programs cutting across different fields.

8. Kwararafa University

Kwararafa University was established in 2005. It is located in Wukari, a small town in Taraba State.

The school is among the worst universities in Nigeria because of the few courses they offer.

9. Christopher University

Christopher University was established in 2015. It is located in Mowe, a small town in Ogun state.

Christopher University offers various degree programs that cut across different fields. It is noted to be among the list of Nigeria’s worst universities due to its unpopularity and few courses offered.

10. Crown Hill University

Crown Hill University was established in 2016. It is located in Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State,.

Crown Hill University offers various degree programs that cut across different fields, including; management, social sciences, sciences, arts, and humanities.

11. Legacy University, Okija

Legacy University was established in 2016. It is located in Okija, a small town in Anambra State,.

Legacy University offers various degree programs that cut across different fields, including; management, social sciences, sciences, arts, humanities, language, culture, and education.

12. Igbinedion University, Okada

Igbinedion University was founded in 1999 by Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, located in Okada, Edo State. It is the first licensed private University in Nigeria.

It is the first private University to produce medical doctors in Sub-saharan Africa.

Igbinedion University offers various degree programs that cut across different fields.

13. Renaissance University

Renaissance University was established in 2005. It is located in Enugu city, the capital of Enugu state.

Renaissance University offers various degree programs that cut across different fields, including; sciences, management, social science, and arts.

14. Hallmark University

Hallmark University was established in 2015. It is located in Ijebu-Itele, a small town in Ogun State.

Hallmark University offers various degree programs that cut across different fields, including; management, social sciences, humanities, and arts.

15. Achievers University

Achievers University was established in 2008. It is located in Owo, a small town in Ondo state.

It is a branch of the Achievers Group of Education and Training Organization owned by Hon (Dr.) Bode Ayorinde.

Achievers University offers various degree programs that cut across different fields.

A Final Word on “Worst University” Lists

Again, none of these universities are officially designated “worst” by NUC. Most of the schools above are fully accredited and producing graduates every year. Low web ranking, a smaller student population, or past accreditation issues with specific programmes don’t make a university a bad choice; they’re just factors worth researching before you apply.

Before choosing any school, check its current NUC accreditation status for the specific course you want, not just its general reputation.