UMYU Competitors

The University College, Ibadan, was founded in 1948. At first, it occupied the old site previously used by the 56th Military General Hospital about eight kilometers away from the 'new' or permanent site. The new site covered over 1,032 hectares of land generously leased by the chiefs and people of Ibadan for 999 years. With equipment transferred from Yaba Higher College, the 104 foundation students (including 49 students in teacher training and survey courses) began their courses at Ibadan, on 18 January, 1948; the formal opening took place on 25 March, 1948. In February, 1948, London University allowed Ibadan its special relationship scheme. Arthur Creech Jones, then Secretary of State for the Colonies, and an influential member of the Elliot Commission, turned the first sod at the permanent site of the University College, on 17 November, 1948, which became the Foundation Day.

Founded in 1962, the University of Lagos has, for over 5 decades, provided qualitative and research-oriented education to Nigerians and all those who have entered its domain in search of knowledge. At its inception, the University of Lagos was empowered to produce a professional workforce that would steer the political, social and economic development of a newly independent country. Over the last fifty years the University has pursued this mission with vigour, excellence and panache. The University has built a legacy of academic excellence and is now acclaimed publicly as “the University of First Choice and the Nation’s Pride.”

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.