A University is regarded as a citadel of the highest level of learning. It is an institution in which thousands of scholars (both old and young) receive academic learning and qualifications ranging from Bachelor degrees to Master degrees, doctorate degrees and other honorary degrees of the highest educational certifications.
A university consists of academicians from various walks of life irrespective of tribal/cultural, religious differences. The courses being taught and studied in these institutions are numerous and as a result, building a university requires rigorous planning and execution. One of the things taken into consideration is ‘Land Mass’ as every university requires a physical structure and land mass large enough to accommodate a large number of academic populace.
According to land mass area, the following universities are ranked as the top 10 largest in Nigeria.
1. University of Ilorin
The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) was established by the Federal Military Government in 1975 in Ilorin,Kwara state capital.
The landmass of the University of Ilorin is about 15,000 hectares and this makes it the largest university in Nigeria in terms of land mass.
2. Obafemi Awolowo University
This institution is owned by the federal government. OAU is located in Ile-Ife, the ancient center of the Yorubaland.
The foundation of the university was held in 1961. The first classes were performed in October 1962. At that time this place was called the University of Ife and was managed by the regional government of Western Nigeria under the leadership of the late Samuel Ladoke Akintola.
On the 2nd of May, 1987, the university received a new name Obafemi Awolowo University which has survived to our days. The educational institution was named after Chief Obafemi Awolowo who was the first premier of the Western Region of Nigeria and invested much effort in the development of this place.
It is the second largest university in Nigeria in terms of landmass with an area of about 13,000 hectares.
3. University of Abuja
The University of Abuja which occupies the position of the third largest university in Nigeria was founded in Abuja on January 1, 1988 by the Ibrahim Babangida government. Two modes of teaching were immediately established: remote and ordinary. Any student can find suitable conditions in this prestigious place which landmass is about 11,824 hectares.
4. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
This university was opened on 1 January 1988 after the federal authorities eliminated four technological universities previously united in 1984.
The landmass of FUNAAB is about 10,000 hectares.
5. Ahmadu Bello University
Founded on October 4,1962, the University was Initially known as the University of Northern Nigeria.
This research university operates under the supervision of the federal government and is located in Kaduna State.
There are 2 campuses: Samaru and Kongo in Zaria. ABU has a landmass of about 7,000 hectares.
6. Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO)
Located in Owerri, Imo State capital, the school sits on 4,048 hectares of land. It is the highest tech university in Southeast and South-south Nigeria.
7. University of Benin
This institution is owned by the federal government and was established in 1970 in the ancient city of Benin, Edo state capital. It has an extensive farmland that is over 200,000 hectares which some chieftains in the community around it are wrestling in court to take.
8. University of Ibadan
unarguably the oldest and first University in Nigeria. Located in Ibadan,Oyo state,the university possesses a landmass of 1,032 hectares of land. It started little like most of the federal educational establishment and now holds over 33,000 students in its walls.
9. The American University of Nigeria
Regarded as the largest Private university in Nigeria and Located in Yola,Adamawa state capital, AUN has a landmass ownership of over 2,400 acres of land. According to the stipulation of some researchers, this is more than twice the size of one of the famous Academic grounds in Nigeria: University of Lagos (UNILAG).
10. Redeemers University Nigeria
This institution is of Christian background. The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), is behind the establishment and management of this institute.
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