15 faith-based private universities in Nigeria

The history of literacy and western education in Nigeria is never complete without some elements of faith attached. While education is pertinent to the advancement of every society, faith is perceived as vital to many African households and has greatly contributed to this sector.

Edugist has compiled a list of 15 faith-based private universities in Nigeria. 

Covenant University

Covenant University, Ota Ogun state, is one of the leading universities in Africa. It was founded by David Oyedepo, the presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, who is chancellor of the university.

Covenant University academic programmes run in four colleges: the College of Management and Social Sciences, the College of Leadership Development Studies, the College of Engineering and the College of Science and Technology. The university runs postgraduate programmes in the entire curriculum listed above.

Rhema University

Rhema University, Aba was founded by the Living Word Ministries International. It is an accredited private, Christian university based in the city of Aba in Abia State, Nigeria.

Rhema University offers 10 undergraduate programmes in two colleges and Postgraduate programmes too. The university also offers pre-degree programmes through its School of Basic Studies.

Al-Qalam University

Al-Qalam University, Katsina is the first private Islamic university in Nigeria. It came into existence in 2005. Katsina Islamic Foundation remained the proprietor of the university from its inception till date.

The university currently runs six schools/colleges: College of Social and Management Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, College of Education, College of Humanities, College of Postgraduate Studies, and School of Basic and Remedial Studies.

Ajayi Crowther University 

Established in 2005 by the Anglican Communion of Nigeria, Ajayi Crowther University is a private university located in Oyo state. 

It comprises faculties including natural science, law, social science, management science, humanities, engineering and education.

Landmark University

Landmark University is a private Christian university, affiliated with the Living Faith Church Worldwide and located in Omu-Aran, Kwara state.

The university offers programmes in Agricultural Sciences, business and social sciences, science and engineering.

Fountain University 

Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun state is a faith-based private university, established in May 2007 by one of Nigeria’s leading elite Muslim organisations, Nasrul-lahi-il-Fathi Society (NASFAT), with the mission of producing competitive and resourceful graduates with high moral standards, and the vision to be a pace-setting institution in terms of learning, character building and service to humanity.

The university has five colleges: College of Basic Medical and Health Science, College of Natural and Applied Science, College of Management and Social Sciences, College of Law, Postgraduate School. 

Anchor University

Anchor University is a private Christian university owned by the Deeper Christian Life Ministry. The university is located at Ayobo, Ipaja, Lagos state.

The university offers programmes in the Faculty of Pure, Applied and Health Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Social and Management Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Faculty of Law.

Babcock University

Babcock University is a private Christian co-educational Nigerian university owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria. The university is located at Ilishan-Remo, Ogun state, equidistant between Ibadan and Lagos.

Babcock hosts eight schools and two colleges: School of Social Sciences, School of Management Sciences, College of Health & Medical Sciences, School of Science & Technology, School of Computing & Engineering Sciences, School of Education and Humanities, School of Law & Security Studies, School of Nursing, School of Public & Applied Health and College of Postgraduate Studies.

Crescent University

Crescent University, Abeokuta is one of Nigeria’s foremost Muslim Universities. It is the brainchild of a prominent legal luminary and former judge of the International Court of Justice, The Hague, His Excellency, Justice Bola Ajibola as a citadel of academic and moral excellence. It is a foremost Islamic university in Nigeria, founded in 2005 under the banner of the Islamic Mission for Africa (IMA).

The university comprises College of Arts, Social and Management Sciences, College of Natural And Applied Sciences, College of Information and Communication Technology, College of Environmental Sciences, College of Health Sciences and Bola Ajibola College of Law.

Bowen University

Bowen University is a private Baptist Christian Nigerian university located at Iwo in Osun state. It is affiliated with the Nigerian Baptist Convention.

Its faculties include College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, College of Management and Social Sciences, College of Law, College of Health Sciences, College of Liberal Studies, College of Computing and Communication Studies and College of Environmental Sciences.

Crawford University

Crawford University is a private Christian University in Igbesa, Ogun state in Nigeria, owned by the Apostolic Faith Mission.

Crawford University currently delivers its academic programmes through its three Colleges namely: College of Business and Social Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences and College of Arts and Communication, together with the School of Postgraduate Studies.

Al-Hikmah University

Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara state was established in 2005 by the Abdur-Raheem Oladimeji Islamic Foundation (AROIF), Nigeria.

Al-Hikmah University has six faculties including, Humanities and Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, Education, Law and Health Sciences, and the Postgraduate School.

Mountain Top University

Founded by Dr. D.K. Olukoya, the founder and General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, a Pentecostal Christian denomination, Mountain Top University is a private university in Makogi Oba, Ogun state established in 2015.

The university comprises the College of Basic & Applied Sciences and College of Humanities, Management & Social Sciences, including the School of Postgraduate Studies.

Bingham University

Bingham University, Nasarawa is a Nigerian university established by Evangelical Churches Winning All (ECWA). 

The university offers academic programmes through different faculties including Administration, Allied Health Sciences, Arts, Basic Clinical Sciences, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Education, Environmental Science, Law, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Science And Technology, Social and Management Sciences.

Summit University

Summit University, Offa was founded by Nigeria’s oldest Muslim organisation, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADSN).

The university offers programmes in the College of Natural & Applied Sciences, College of Management & Social Sciences and College of Humanities.