Gloria Adesanya

LinkedIn

In recent news, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) featured in the Times Higher Education (THE) global ranking. It’s in the 801-1,000 band globally and first in Nigeria in the <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/news/best-university-in-nigeria-world-rankings-2026-2025100914193908021">2026 edition</a>.&nbsp;On the African stage, UNILAG is positioned among the continent’s leading universities, and in the wider global context, it now ranks comfortably among the top 8–10% of institutions worldwide.Now, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has strengthened its standing as Nigeria’s top-ranked university with the <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.tvcnews.tv/nigeria-uk-deepen-ties-with-unilag-birmingham-campus-launchnigeria-uk-deepen-ties-with-unilag-birmingham-campus-launch/">launch of a University of Birmingham transnational education (TNE) campus</a>. The global recognition is being turned into something even more tangible: access to world-class education right at home.

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The announcement came at the Global Education Partnership and Going Global Conference on Transnational Education in London, attended by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu; the UK’s International Education Champion, Sir Steve Smith; and Donna McGowan, Country Director of the British Council Nigeria.

Sir Steve Smith called the partnership “a model of institutional strengthening rather than a profit-oriented venture.”&nbsp;It’s a soft-power tool that merges learning, culture, and innovation. Under the partnership, Nigerian students can now access UK-standard programmes, including emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and machine learning, without leaving the country.

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The new campus builds on existing Nigeria–UK ties, including the successful UNILAG–University of Dundee joint LL.M. programme, which paved the way for transnational collaboration in law and research.&nbsp;According to the Minister of Education, Chief (Dr) Maruf Olatunji Alausa, over 120 Nigerian students have already been trained in artificial intelligence and machine learning under related initiatives.

The partnership also speaks to Nigeria’s long-term challenge. Every year, thousands of Nigerian students leave for the UK, Canada, and the US, with only a fraction returning. This initiative offers a model for talent retention: keeping talent within Nigeria while maintaining international competitiveness.

For families long burdened by the costs of <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/lifestyle/full-scholarships-for-nigerians-to-study-abroad-2025030711194340076">studying abroad</a>, this marks a major shift: world-class education, minus the visa queues and foreign exchange woesRegulatory oversight remains key. The National Universities Commission (NUC) emphasised that quality assurance and accreditation will determine the model’s success, while UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, pledged to ensure “sustainable governance and technology-driven instruction”.As UNILAG’s international reputation rises, the new Birmingham partnership signals a future where global learning is accessible to locals with ambition.

University of Lagos and University of Birmingham officials at the launch of the Nigeria–UK Transnational Education Campus in London.

UNILAG’s partnership with the University of Birmingham deepens Nigeria–UK education ties and brings British-quality learning to Lagos.

UNILAG Is Teaming Up With The University of Birmingham for a New Campus

Deborah Akwa

Instagram

On Sunday, October 19, 2025 Nigerian Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, unveiled a newly completed female hostel at Clifford University in Abia State, named after his late mother, Dr Veronica Adeleke.

The "Assurance" crooner described the building as a heartfelt tribute to his mother, who was a passionate educationist and philanthropist, who portrayed acts of kindness and empowerment during her lifetime.&nbsp;

<blockquote>He said, My mother, Dr. Veronica Adeleke, was a teacher and giver who believed education and compassion could change lives. This building is a continuation of her purpose - turning love into legacy.</blockquote>

The highlight of the event came when Davido’s friend and nightlife entrepreneur, Cubana Chief Priest, pledged to pay the school fees of 50 students as part of the celebration.

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Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Nigerian universities have honoured remarkable individuals for their outstanding achievements by naming their hostels after them.&nbsp;Across the country, several institutions have done the same, celebrating excellence, patriotism, leadership, and humanitarian impact.&nbsp;

Here are seven universities with hostels named after prominent Nigerians.

<h3>1) Clifford University (Abia State)</h3>

Hostel: Dr Veronica Adeleke Female Hostel&nbsp;

Named after Dr Veronica Adeleke, the late mother of the Music star Davido, the hostel honours her legacy as an educationist and philanthropist.The building was inaugurated in October 2025, during the university&rsquo;s 6th Convocation ceremony, with Davido himself performing at the commissioning. The hostel represents the deceased&rsquo;s passion for learning, empowerment, and community development.&nbsp;

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<h3>2) Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK, Awka)</h3>

Hostel: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Female Hostel&nbsp;

This hostel honours Dr Ngozi Okonjo‑Iweala, the Nigerian-American economist and international development expert.

Okonjo-Iweala is currently the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and former&nbsp;Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy for Nigeria.

UNIZIK named the hostel after her in July 2025, recognising her as a symbol of excellence, discipline, and global influence. The gesture was intended to inspire the institution's female students to emulate her laudable achievements.

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<h3>3) Bayero University Kano (Kano State)</h3>

Hostel: Dr Stella Adadevoh Female Medical Hostel

The female medical Hostel was named after the late Dr Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, the endocrinologist, who stopped the spread of Ebola in Nigeria.&nbsp;

As the lead physician at the First Consultant Hospital in Lagos, she announced the presence of Ebola and quarantined the index Ebola patient, Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian-American who flew into Lagos in July 2014 and died of Ebola.&nbsp;Following her contact with Sawyer during treatment, Adadevoh contracted the deadly virus and later died of Ebola at age 58.

Though she paid the ultimate price, Adadevoh’s decisive action prevented the spread of Ebola in Nigeria, saving thousands of lives. In October 2017, Bayero University Kano honoured her heroism by naming its female medical hostel at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) after her.&nbsp;

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<h3>4) University of Lagos (UNILAG)</h3>

Hostel: Femi Gbajabiamila Hall of Residence&nbsp;

This hall is named after Femi Gbajabiamila, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and current Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.

UNILAG honoured him for his dedication to national development, legislative excellence, and commitment to youth empowerment. The hostel was named after him to inspire students toward leadership and public service.

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<h3>5) University of Ibadan (UI, Oyo State)</h3>

Hostel: Tafawa-Balewa Hall&nbsp;

The hostel was named after Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s first Prime Minister (1960-1966) and the first indigenous chancellor of the University of Ibadan.&nbsp;The hall was established in 1968 to honour his statesmanship, humility, and vision for a united Nigeria. The Hall remains one of UI’s historic structures.

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<h3>6) Achievers University (Òwó, Ondo State)</h3>

Hostel: Senator Bode Olajumoke Female Hostel

The university named its newly constructed 800-bed female hostel after Senator Bode Olajumoke, recognising his contributions towards educational development and philanthropy in the country.&nbsp;

The hostel was commissioned in October 2025; the facility represents the university&rsquo;s appreciation for icons who use their influence to advance learning opportunities in Nigeria.

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<h3>7) NorthWest University in Sokoto</h3>

Hostel: Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo

In August 2023, the NorthWest University named an 800-bed capacity hostel after Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo for his philanthropic work and contributions to education.

These hostels are more than just buildings; they are living memorials that aim to inspire students daily. By celebrating and immortalising national icons who have impacted education, leadership, and service, Nigerian universities are nurturing a new generation of young minds who will, in turn, shape the nation&rsquo;s future.

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Davido, unveiled a newly completed female hostel at Clifford University in Abia State, named after his late mother, Dr Veronica Adeleke.

Several Nigerian universities have honoured the nation’s icons by naming student hostels after them, celebrating their legacies and contributions to national development.

7 Universities’ hostels named after prominent Nigerians

Segun Adeyemi

Facebook

Twitter

<h2>Covenant University (CU) has been named Nigeria’s top university in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings, affirming its strong reputation in teaching and research. </h2>

The 2024 THE Rankings, one of the world’s most influential assessments of university performance, evaluated 1,907 universities from 108 countries and regions.

THE Rankings base their evaluation on 18 key performance indicators, assessing institutions across teaching quality, research environment, research impact, industry collaboration, and international outlook. Covenant University excelled in these categories, earning the highest spot among Nigerian institutions.

“We are thrilled by this recognition. Covenant University’s commitment to excellence in education and research has always been our driving force,” said a CU representative.

<a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/covenant-university-leads-the-way-as-2024-best-nigerian-universities-are-ranked/8bfqe6r">Covenant University’s performance places it within the 800-1000 bracket globally,</a> alongside the University of Ibadan (UI), which follows as Nigeria's second-highest-ranked institution.

Completing Nigeria’s top five universities are the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), University of Lagos (UNILAG), and Bayero University, Kano.

The University of Oxford retained its position as the top university worldwide, marking nine consecutive years at number one, a record in THE Rankings history.

Stanford University advanced to second place, moving Harvard University to fourth, while the University of Cambridge dropped to fifth.

The<a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/complete-list-of-best-nigerian-universities-in-2024/0cem8qt"> 2024 rankings analysis drew from over 134 million citations from 16.5 million research publications </a>and survey responses from more than 68,000 scholars worldwide, underscoring its comprehensive methodology.

The accomplishment of Covenant University reaffirms the potential of Nigerian institutions to achieve competitive global standards, showcasing their growing influence on the world stage.

See full list below:

<ol><li>Covenant University</li><li>University of Ibadan</li><li>Federal University of Technology Akure</li><li>University of Lagos</li><li>Bayero University, Kano</li><li>University of Ilorin</li><li>University of Nigeria, Nsukka</li><li>Afe Babalola University</li><li>University of Benin</li><li>Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta</li><li>Ladoke Akintola University of Technology</li><li>Lagos State University</li><li>Nnamdi Azikiwe University</li><li>Obafemi Awolowo University</li><li>University of Port Harcourt</li></ol>

Students in Lagos university on March 10, 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria - West Africa. [Getty Images]

Covenant University (CU) has been named Nigeria’s top university in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings, affirming its strong reputation in teaching and research.

FULL LIST: UNILAG, UI lose top ranking in 2024 best Nigerian university

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