In West Africa and even globally, changes occur in the rankings of universities and this is mainly because these universities are evaluated based on academic standards including stability, infrastructural development, and provision of academic facilities.

Therefore, this article is an in-depth review of the Top 10 Best Universities in West Africa.

Top 10 Best Universities In West Africa

1. University of Ghana

Established in 1948, the University of Ghana is Ghana’s most prestigious tertiary institution. It is Ghana’s biggest university as well as the oldest tertiary institution in the country. At the point of establishment, the university was known as the University College of the Gold Coast. At the same time, it served as a subsidiary college under the University of London.

Prior to the absolute university status, it attained in 1961, the University of Ghana was under the supervision of the University of London. In Ghana, the University of Ghana is the most populous university with almost 40,000 students who are in various fields of study.

2. University of Ibadan

Located in Ibadan –the famous and populous capital city of Oyo State –the University of Ibadan is one of the largest Nigerian universities in terms of land mass and population. Besides being one of the best and most competitive South-Western universities, the University of Ibadan is highly regarded for its impressive academic standards.

The University of Ibadan was already in existence before Nigeria gained independence and this is unarguably the reason why it is Nigeria’s oldest university. The University of Ibadan is apparently situated in the wilds of Ibadan and this is why it measures about 8 kilometers away from the center of Ibadan –the largest city in West Africa.

Alongside Unilag, OAU, and Unilorin, the University of Ibadan is one of the prestigious universities many Nigerians seek for admission. Like many other universities owned and financed by the federal government, the University of Ibadan makes provisions for candidates to enroll for post-graduate and undergraduate courses. These courses are offered in various fields of study including medical sciences, the arts, engineering, social sciences, natural sciences and so on.

3. University of Lagos

The University of Lagos is located in the South-Western zone of Nigeria, precisely in Lagos State. It was established in 1963 by the federal government and is usually dubbed Unilag. In Nigeria, Unilag is one of the most populous universities. In the aspect of enrolment, the university enrolls nearly 10,000 candidates per year and this makes it one of the Nigerian universities candidates seeking for admission. Currently, Unilag is considered Nigeria’s second best university in terms of academic facilities.

4. Universite de Ouagadougou (University of Ouagadougou)

The University of Ouagadougou is based in the Burkina Faso capital of Ouagadougou. Precisely in Ouagadougou, the university is found in Dawn Van Noord. Established in 1974, the University of Ouagadougou is the best in Burkina Faso and it is composed of one institute together with seven Training and Research Units.

At the University of Ouagadougou, UPB (University Polytechnique of Bobo) was set up in 1995. UPB is situated in Bobo Dioulasso and it is the second campus specified for professional education. In the subsequent year (1996), the third campus was established in the city of Koudougou to serve as a center for teacher training.

5. Obafemi Awolowo University

Obafemi Awolowo University is located in Ile Ife, Osun State –one of the States in Nigeria’s South West. Popularly regarded as OAU, Obafemi Awolowo University is one of the most competitive Nigerian universities precisely as a result of many candidates who are always seeking it for admission. As part of the prestigious universities owned and financed by the federal government, OAU makes provisions for candidates to enroll for post-graduate and undergraduate programmes. Meanwhile, these programmes are offered in various fields of study including medical sciences, the arts, engineering, social sciences, natural sciences, the humanities and so forth.

6. Misurata University

Misurata University is the most prestigious university in Libya. Likewise, it is one of the best universities in West Africa. Established in 2010, Misurata University is located in the Libyan city of Misurata. Meanwhile, the university’s main campus is situated in the downtown of this city.

Misurata University came into being as a result of the merging relationship between Almergab University and Seventh of October University.

7. Universite Cheikh Anta Diop

Alternatively regarded as the University of Dakar, Cheikh Anta Diop University is the best university in Senegal. It is located in the Senegalese capital –Dakar. It is one of the most competitive Senegalese universities with a high number of admission-seekers. Although the university is alternatively called the University of Dakar, Cheikh Anta Diop University is attributed to a significant Senegalese who was well-known as an anthropologist, historian, and physicist.

8. University of Ilorin

Located in Ilorin, Kwara State –one of the States in the North Central zone of Nigeria –the University of Ilorin is unarguably the best university in that zone as well as one of Nigeria’s prestigious universities.

Owned and financed by the federal government, the University of Ilorin (popularly dubbed Unilorin) is one of the tertiary institutions established in 1975 by a decree of Nigeria’s military government. Apart from being one of the best Nigerian universities, Unilorin is one of the largest universities in terms of population and land mass. Currently, it is arguably the most populous Nigerian university and this stems from the fact that it has the highest number of admission-seekers in Nigeria.

Over the years, Unilorin has experienced improved infrastructural development and more departments have been created to widen the university’s admission capacity. In 2014, 4icu named Unilorin the best university in Nigeria.

As an accredited tertiary institution, Unilorin offers candidates admission opportunities into its post-graduate and undergraduate programmes. Likewise, these programmes are offered in various faculties including basic medical sciences, management sciences, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, law and so forth.

9. Covenant University

Covenant University is one of the best Nigerian universities as well as the best private university in the country. Covenant University is a Christian-owned tertiary institution located in Ogun State, Nigeria. It is an accredited university with a membership status in the Association of Commonwealth Universities. In 2015, Webometrics named Covenant University as Nigeria’s best university.