Federal Polytechnic Bauchi Competitors

The University of Nigeria was founded in 1960 by Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, an African legend, who was also Nigeria’s first president. The founding of the university was informed by the need to produce the highly skilled men and women that will fulfill the manpower needs of the newly independent Nigerian state. This unique circumstance of our birth as an institution informed the choice of our motto – to restore the dignity of man.Thus, since inception UNN has strived to be in the forefront of manpower training as well as research and development in the country. The main campus of the university is situated on the lush hills of Nsukka, a semi - urban town in present day Enugu state in South Eastern Nigeria. Nsukka is renowned for its unique weather, which sometimes mimics the temperate weather in coolness. UNN has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception 50 years. The student population has grown from 220 in 1960 to over 35,000, while the academic staff strength has grown from about 100 in 1960 to over 1,700. Similarly, the number of departments has grown from 6 in 1960 to 106 (in addition to 5 sub-departments), all contained within 16 faculties in contrast to the 2 faculties that existed at inception. In addition, there are 10 semi-autonomous institutes and research centres, a school of postgraduate studies and a school of general studies. The number of campuses has also grown from just one (Nsukka Campus) in 1960 to four, namely, Nsukka, Enugu, Ituku-Ozalla and Aba campuses.

The establishment of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) began in 1961 following the recommendation of the Ashby Commission on “Post-School Smaller-ABU-logo-120x120Certificate and Higher Education in Nigeria”. A Law establishing a Provisional Council for the University was passed by the Legislature of Northern Nigeria in April while the Council itself was constituted in November, 1961, under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Shettima Kashim, CBE, who later became Sir Kashim Ibrahim KCMG, CBE. Sir Norman Stanley Alexander, a New Zealander and a Professor of Physics at the University College, Ibadan, was appointed the First Principal, later Vice-Chancellor, of the University in July and he assumed office in November, 1961. Ahmadu Bello University began full operation in 1962, on the cites of these educational institutions: the defunct Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, founded in 1955; the Clerical Training Centre, Kongo, founded in 1957; the Samaru Agricultural Research Station, established in  1924, and the Shika Livestock Farm, started in 1928. The University was named after SirAhmadu Bello (1901-1966), “the Sardauna of Sokoto”and the Premier of Northern Nigeria. As the first Chancellor of the’ University, Sir Ahmadu Bello performed its Opening Ceremony on the 4th of October, 1962. In 1975, the University was taken over by the Federal Government through a Decree (the Ahmadu Bello University [Transitional] Provisions Decree of 1975), thus becoming a Federal University.

The University of Ilorin, also known as Unilorin, is located in the ancient city of Ilorin, about 500 kilometres from Abuja, the Federal capital. Ilorin, the Capital of Kwara State, is strategically located at the geographical and cultural confluence of the North and South. University of Ilorin was one of the seven institutions of higher learning established by a decree of the Federal Military Government in August, 1975. This step, taken to implement one of the educational directives of the country’s Third National Development Plan, was aimed at providing more opportunities for Nigerians aspiring to acquire university education and to generate high level man-power, so vital for the rapidly expanding economy. Vision Statement: To be an international center of excellence in learning, research, probity and service to humanity. Mission statement: To provide world-class environment for learning, research and community service. Each year, this public research university graduates over 10,000 students, adding to more than 200,000 living alumni around the world. Current Student Population: 45,832