The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) received the highest funding by any tertiary institution in the country, totalling N44.4 billion in funding from the national budget.
The Data pulled from the Budget Office of the Federation revealed that Ahmadu Bello University followed suit with ₦39.8bn in funding. The University of Calabar (₦39.7bn), University of Maiduguri (₦34.2bn), and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (₦31.8bn) completed the list of the top 5 funded universities in the nation.
Further down the list, the University of Benin (₦30.3bn), Bayero University (₦29.3bn), University of Ibadan (₦27.8bn), University of Uyo (₦26.9bn), University of Lagos (₦24.6bn), University of Jos (₦24.2bn), and Obafemi Awolowo University (₦23.5bn) made up the top 12 list of funded universities completing the list.
Subsequent data from the budget office revealed that the Lagos State University (LASU) is the most sought-after university in the country, according to the volume of first-choice applications by Nigerian students in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). LASU received a total of 79,000 first-choice applications, finishing miles ahead of other institutions.
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Nnamdi Azikiwe University appeared on both lists, ranking fifth on the budget list and receiving 51,467 UTME applicants. Analysts explained the difference between the two lists and how Nigerian universities can leverage the data released to better their lot.
According to the analysts, older universities received more funding due to their size and research capacity. In contrast, new and state-run institutions like LASU received more first-choice applicants with proximity, reputation, and brand value.
What to Know
- The Budget Office of the Federation manages Nigeria’s fiscal policies and implements the nation’s budgets through six departments.
- The six departments of the budget office include Revenue/Fiscal Policy, Expenditure Social, Expenditure Economics, Budget Monitoring, Human Resources, and Finance.
- The Office promotes fiscal discipline, resource allocation, and efficient service delivery. Tanimu Yakubu heads the Office and was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2024.
