Civil engineering is among the most prestigious courses in Nigeria and beyond. Civil engineers plan, design, construct, maintain, and operate infrastructure. The best university for civil engineering in Nigeria offers a world-class education. Ahmadu Bello University, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Lagos are among the best for Civil Engineering in the country.
Source: UGC
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Key takeaways
- Nigeria cannot develop without technology. Therefore, the country needs more skilled and qualified technicians and engineers.
- Civil engineering is a well-established field in Nigeria, and many universities offer civil engineering programmes.
- A variety of job opportunities are available for civil engineering graduates.
- Ahmadu Bello University, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Lagos are among the best.
Best university for Civil Engineering in Nigeria: Top list
The list of universities offering civil engineering in Nigeria is potentially long because many federal, state, and private institutions of higher learning offer the programme. Discover the university for civil engineering in Nigeria below.
Note that the institutions on this list are ranked based on their research performance in civil engineering as reported by EduRank. The list may be subjective.
|
Ranking |
Institution |
Location |
|
1 |
Federal University of Technology, Akure |
Gaga, Ondo |
|
2 |
Obafemi Awolowo University |
Ile Ife, Osun |
|
3 |
University of Nigeria |
Nsukka, Enugu |
|
4 |
University of Ibadan |
Ibadan, Oyo |
|
5 |
Covenant University |
Ota, Ogun State |
|
6 |
University of Lagos |
Mainland Akoka, Yaba, Lagos |
|
7 |
Ahmadu Bello University |
Zaria, Kaduna |
|
8 |
University of Ilorin |
Ilorin, Kwara State |
|
9 |
Federal University of Technology, Minna |
Minna, Niger State |
|
10 |
University of Benin |
Benin City, Edo State |
|
11 |
University of Calabar |
Calabar, Cross River |
|
12 |
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta |
Abeokuta, Ogun State |
12. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
Source: UGC
- Location: Abeokuta, Ogun State
- Year founded: 1 January 1988
- Global ranking: 2005
- Ranking in Africa: 80
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, is owned and run by the Federal government of Nigeria. The general philosophy of the Civil Engineering programme at the university is to produce skilled, resourceful, creative, and fastidious manpower with high academic standards and industrial exposure. It ranks as one of the best schools that offer civil engineering in Nigeria.
11. University of Calabar
Source: UGC
- Location: Calabar, Cross River
- Year founded: 25 October 1975
- Global ranking: 1942
- Ranking in Africa: 76
The University of Calabar is one of Nigeria’s second-generation federal universities. The Faculty of Engineering and Technology offers a Civil and Environmental Engineering programme. The course covers four areas of civil engineering, i.e., transportation, geotechnics, structures, and hydraulics.
10. University of Benin
Source: UGC
- Location: Benin City, Edo State
- Year founded: 23 November 1970
- Global ranking: 1912
- Ranking in Africa: 64
The University of Benin (UNIBEN) ranks high on the list of state universities that offer civil engineering in Nigeria. The public research university in Benin City, Edo State. On 1 April 1975, UNIBEN became a federal institution. The Faculty of Engineering has a Civil Engineering Department that offers knowledge and skills in the construction of static structures.
9. Federal University of Technology, Minna
Source: UGC
- Location: Minna, Niger State
- Year founded: 1983
- Global ranking: 1731
- Ranking in Africa: 64
The Federal University of Technology, Minna, ranks high on the list of federal universities that offer civil engineering in Nigeria. Founded in 1983, this institution of higher learning specialises in technological education. The Federal University of Technology, Minna, has a Civil Engineering Department that started running in 1986.
8. University of Ilorin
Source: UGC
- Location: Ilorin, Kwara State
- Year founded: August 1975
- Global ranking: 1709
- Ranking in Africa: 60
The University of Ilorin is a federal government-owned public research university with the highest enrollment of foreign students in the country. The university has a leading and globally renowned Department in the Civil Engineering discipline that offers quality theoretical and technical training for students.
7. Ahmadu Bello University
Source: UGC
- Location: Zaria, Kaduna
- Year founded: 4 October 1962
- Global ranking: 1319
- Ranking in Africa: 38
Ahmadu Bello University is among the top 20 best universities to study engineering in Nigeria. It is one of the largest public research institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ahmadu Bello University’s civil engineering degree programme started in 1955.
6. University of Lagos
Source: UGC
- Location: Mainland Akoka, Yaba, Lagos
- Year founded: 1962
- Global ranking: 1245
- Ranking in Africa: 34
The University of Lagos is a prestigious public research university in Lagos, Nigeria. The UNILAG Faculty of Engineering has a Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering that offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in civil engineering.
5. Covenant University
Source: UGC
- Location: Ota, Ogun State
- Year founded: 21 October 2002
- Global ranking: 1097
- Ranking in Africa: 25
Covenant University (CU) ranks high on the list of the best private universities for civil engineering in Nigeria. This institution was founded by David Oyedepo and opened its doors on 21 October 2002. The Civil Engineering Department contributes to the development of the built industry by nurturing solution-oriented engineers with an entrepreneurial spirit.
4. University of Ibadan
Source: UGC
- Location: Ibadan, Oyo
- Year founded: 1948
- Global ranking: 1061
- Ranking in Africa: 22
The University of Ibadan was initially founded as the University College Ibadan in 1948. It became an independent institution in 1962, making it the oldest degree-awarding university in the country. The Department of Civil Engineering opens students to new experiences in structural and materials, geotechnical, highway and transportation, and water and environmental engineering.
3. University of Nigeria
Source: UGC
- Location: Nsukka, Enugu
- Year founded: 1955
- Global ranking: 1024
- Ranking in Africa: 21
The Civil Engineering Department at the University of Nigeria started in 1961/62 with the undergraduate programme; while the post-graduate programme was added in 1980/81. The department offers four and five-year programmes leading to the Bachelor of Engineering degree.
2. Obafemi Awolowo University
Source: UGC
- Location: Ile-Ife, Osun
- Year founded: 1961
- Global ranking: 893
- Ranking in Africa: 18
In 1975, a new military government introduced decrees making Obafemi Awolowo University a federal institution. In the Department of Civil Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, lecturers and students push each other to achieve greater heights in their studies. Today, the university is ranked second on the list of the top 10 best university for civil engineering in Nigeria in 2026.
1. Federal University of Technology, Akure
Source: UGC
- Location: Gaga, Ondo
- Year founded: 1981
- Global ranking: 878
- Ranking in Africa: 17
The Federal University of Technology, Akure, is a federal government-owned university in Akure, Ondo State. It is arguably among the top 20 best universities for civil engineering in Nigeria. The Civil Engineering Department offers high academic standards with adequate practical background for graduates to be of immediate value to industry and the nation in general.
Which is the best private university to study civil engineering in Nigeria?
Covenant University is arguably the best private university to study civil engineering in Nigeria.
How long does it take to study civil engineering in Nigeria?
It takes between three and five years to study for a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in Nigeria.
Is civil engineering a good career in Nigeria?
Civil engineering is a good career in the country, and many opportunities are available for graduates.
Which University is the best in civil engineering?
Check out the list of good universities for civil engineering in Nigeria. Note that there are many universities that offer civil engineering in Nigeria, and their cut-off marks may differ depending on the university’s policy.
Which university is the best in civil engineering?
The best universities in civil engineering include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of California, the Delft University of Technology Netherlands, and the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Which university is best for engineering in Nigeria?
Federal University of Technology, Akure, is arguably the best university that offer civil engineering in nigeria and their cut off marks for JAMB is 200.
Which is the best university to study civil engineering in the world?
Many universities are considered top choices for studying civil engineering. The best ones include the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tongji University, Tsinghua University, and Harbin Institute of Technology.
Which university is the best for mechanical engineering in Nigeria?
Top-tier Nigerian universities consistently cited for strong Mechanical Engineering programs include University of Lagos (UNILAG), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), University of Ibadan (UI), University of Nigeria (UNN), Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), and Covenant University.
Which civil engineer has the highest salary?
According to Nexford University, the top highest paying civil engineers are usually senior executives (CEOs, COOs, MDs) at major construction firms, large infrastructure projects, or oil/gas companies.
How much is a civil engineer’s salary in Nigeria?
According to Payscale, a civil engineer’s base salary in Nigeria ranges from ₦99k – ₦5 million.
How many years is the course of civil engineering in Nigeria?
A Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Civil Engineering typically takes five years for students admitted through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and four years for those admitted via Direct Entry. This includes a year-long industrial attachment during the program.
The Federal University of Technology, Akure, is arguably the best university for civil engineering in Nigeria. Others on the list are Ahmadu Bello University, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Lagos.
Legit.ng recently published a list of the best universities in Nigeria. A good education sets up a child for success in the future.
The best university in Nigeria, according to rankings, is the University of Ibadan. Finding the best university in Nigeria is a top priority for many students who want to further their education.
Source: Legit.ng
