Top 10 Best Medical Schools in Nigeria (2025 Ranking)

Top 10 Best Medical Schools in Nigeria (2025 Ranking)

Let's get you to know the top 10 best medical schools in Nigeria in 2025. 

From the top to the bottom, explore with us to know the leading medical universities with high-level tutorials, practical and research, and pure medicine and health sciences.

Going through the educational phase of medicine in Nigeria is both a noble pursuit and a difficult path. It requires passion and dedication, and most importantly, choosing the right institution to enrol in. Because the foundation and quality of your learning environment matter and will lead to the result of your final ability, looking out for the best university for the right educational foundation should be the most important decision aspiring doctors should ever make.

And so, in this 2025, we'll help aspiring and intentional doctors, wanting to study medicine, surgery, and health sciences, have the best choice and learning quality for their medical career; we'll take a closer look, listing out the top 10 best medical schools in Nigeria, as recognized by Times Higher Education.

Listed below are the top 20 best medical schools in Nigeria for 2025. This listing is based on their academic excellence, research capacity, clinical training facilities and lab practicals, and graduate reputation.

1. University of Ibadan (UI)

This is the first-ever university in Nigeria, established in 1948 as the University College Ibadan in a special relationship scheme with the University of London, until it became a full-fledged independent university in 1962.

It is a public university located in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, popularly called UI. Known for its world-class research, good learning system, and international partnership understanding.

2. University of Lagos (UNILAG)

Established in 1962 and located in Lagos State, Nigeria, it is one of the first-generation universities in Nigeria and is ranked among the top universities in Africa and considered one of the best in Nigeria for clinical education, producing many of Nigeria’s leading doctors and specialists.

Its college of medicine is located at Idi-Araba, Surulere.

3. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria

This university was founded by Sir Ahmadu Bello, the first premier of Northern Nigeria, which it was also named after, in 1962.

Its faculty of medicine is one of the oldest in the northern part of Nigeria. The university offers a wide range of programmes in medicine and surgery and is also known for its strong programmes in health sciences with modern facilities.

4. University of Benin (UNIBEN)

It is a public research university, owned by the federal government, founded in 1970 as the Midwest Institute of Technology before being renamed the University of Benin in 1971, and located in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

UNIBEN’s College of Medical Sciences is known for its excellence in research and innovation. Its teaching hospital is one of the busiest in the country, offering students valuable practical exposure.

5. Bayero University, Kano (BUK)

Formerly a university college and upgraded to a university in 1962, it is the first university in Kano State, Northwestern Nigeria.

A federal university, founded in 1975, known for its focus on tropical medicine and preventive healthcare, in medical research and public health it has put much effort into standing out.

6. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife

This university, known for its academic excellence with a legacy of innovation, standard medical research and the high competence of its graduates, was founded in 1962 as the University of Ife and later renamed in 1987 as Obafemi Awolowo University. Located in Osun State, Nigeria.

7. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)

This university, located in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, was founded in 1975.

UNILORIN's Faculty of Basic Medical and Health Sciences is known for their educational excellence, quality instruction, discipline, and structured training programmes.

8. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

This university, located in Nsukka, Enugu State, Eastern Nigeria, was founded by Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1955.

Its College of Medicine is located in Enugu Campus and has built a strong reputation for always standing out and producing very intelligent medical professionals that are good at what they do, excelling both locally and internationally.

9. Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS)

The University of Sokoto, as it was formerly known, is a public university and one of the four universities established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in September 1975. located in the city of Sokoto, in northwestern Nigeria.

The institution deals with both clinical practice and community healthcare delivery and is known for its commitment to quality medical education.

10. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)

This public research university located in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria, was founded in 1990 as Oyo State University of Technology (OSUTECH).

The College of Health Sciences is known for its innovative medical programmes with strong academic and practical training. It provides suitable conditions for the advancement of knowledge through research programmes and learning and produces self-reliant graduates who are professional in their fields.

Conclusion

The medical educational sector in Nigeria continues to be known globally for its standard in medical sciences and the record for good student production.

With these top universities listed above, setting the standard for its academic excellence, giving scholars practical exposure, and providing career opportunities.

For anybody wanting to study medicine in Nigeria, these institutions have proved their excellence and have set a standard, with the aim of building an excellent academic system and students.