National University Commission, NUC, has released the list of the Top 50 Universities in Nigeria for 2013 so far. The University of Ibadan tops the list, they are followed by University of Lagos, Unilag and University of Benin, Uniben in second and third place respectively.

2013 TOP 50 University In Nigeria, NUC

1. University of Ibadan, UI
2. University of Lagos, Unilag
3. University of Benin, Uniben
4. Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU
5. Ahmadu Bello University, ABU...

See the full list here...

http://ipledge2nigeria.com/index.php/blogs/entry/top-50-universities-in-nigeria-2013-ranking-published-by-national-university-commission-nuc.html

Can't argue with the top 5. UI and UNILAG are very consistent despite the challenges that they face. Our universities are currently operating as spokes without functional hubs. The hubs should be the Nigerian economy as a whole driven by the industrial, technology and other sectors but those sectors have never been stable or well defined in Nigeria.

However, in terms of ranking and standards, since funding is almost around the same level, the major factors in favor of the older universities are the alumni network and location. Those two factors work very well in favor of University of Lagos and University of Ibadan.