A decision was taken by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to accredit online universities in Nigeria, to save students the stress of walking up to campus from a far distance for lectures or spending transportation fares on a daily basis.
These universities were created to also help those who lack the facilities to attend physical classes. Also, online schools provide an E-learning service to assist those who have businesses or tight schedules and also at the same time want to earn a degree or continue their education, to do so without the stress of going to the university premises.
In this article, we will outline the top 15 best online universities in Nigeria, their tuition fees, and admission requirements to enable you to make a choice.
Many people do ask questions like, how good are online universities in Nigeria?
Unlike our normal university environments, online universities make use of computers connected directly to the internet to lecture their students, instead of attending a traditional campus. They set all their lectures, classwork, assignments, quizzes, tests, and even exams online.
Most of these online universities require an internet-connected camera for you to be able to take their tests and exams. Now as a married man/woman you can balance life demands, such as taking care of your children and still complete your online studies.
Table of Contents
What is an Online University?
Online University is nothing but a school that lectures and educates its students online and also an institution that is accredited to be able to award its students academic degrees, diplomas, and non-degree certificate programs which you will obtain through a computer that is connected to the internet.
Benefits of Online Universities in Nigeria
Reduces cost / Affordability
Online learning cost less due to many reasons. For instance, no transportation fare charges are attached, buying unnecessary textbooks, paying for late submission of assignments, and other expenses being made in traditional universities.
Although online students may pay the same tuition fee rate as campus students, one interesting thing is that they don’t pay for on-campus housing or food plans. One of the factors to consider is the requirement of space, some facilities’ may lack space for a computer and some other needed materials.
Improvement of Technical Skills
Online studies help students to improve their technical skills which will help them to secure a better job. These skills can be the ability to make effective use of new software suites, perform deep research online, and also communicate virtually in various online formats such as conversation channels.
Offers a more comfortable learning environment
Distance learners can complete their classwork comfortably at home, bookshop, library, office or work, or even in church or mosque. This prestigious advantage of learning online gives students room to work in any field or environment that is suitable for them.
Flexible Scheduling
Studying online gives students the liberty to juggle and maintain their careers because they are not tied down to a specified timetable. In the traditional classroom, lecture timetables have been set and students have no say over them.
Most students that choose online universities are likely to have other business(es) which they do that also require time; attending online lectures tends to give them the privilege over how to delegate and managing their time towards these businesses or projects.
Networking Opportunity
Online Education also helps students by providing them the chance of communicating with peers across countries or even some continents. At times it leads to other prospects in times of collaborating with individuals in commissioning projects or implementing a project.
How to get an Online University certificate?
To get a certificate from an online university, be it a degree certificate or a non-degree certificate, you must have to enroll in the particular program of your choice with the online university after which you will be awarded a due certificate at the end of the program.
This shouldn’t be a problem, because the bodies in charge of these online universities have already prepared your certificates which will be handed over to you after the completion of the courses you applied for and successful exams.
What are the Requirements for Online Universities in Nigeria?
Online Universities require almost the same thing required in traditional universities. Colleges and universities admit students based on their grade points averages(GPAs), WAEC and JAMB scores, and other important criteria. In most cases, 4years Universities offer online degree completion programs, which gives some students with transferable college credits the opportunity to earn their bachelor’s degrees. A graduate program requires one to have a bachelor’s degree and also acquire relevant specialist knowledge.
Top 15 Best Online Universities in Nigeria
The National University Commission (NUC) accredited many online Universities in Nigeria and below you will find a list of the top 15 best performing universities among them.
- University of Ibadan (UI) (Distance learning Center)
- Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) (JABU Center of Distance learning)
- Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (Distance learning center ABU, Zaira)
- Federal University of Technology Minna (center for open Distance and e-learning)
- University of Lagos Akoka (Distance learning institute)
- Modibbo Adama University of Technology (Center for Distance learning)
- National open university(NOUN) (Center for Distance learning)
- Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife (OAU) (Center for Distance learning)
- University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) (Distance learning and Continuing Education)
- University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) (Center for Distance learning)
- University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) (UNN Center for Distance and E-learning)
- Lagos State University (LASU) (Open for Distance learning and research)
- University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) ( Center for Distance learning)
- Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso(LAUTECH) (LAUTECH Distance learning and Continuing Education)
- Babcock University Ilishan (center for open Distance and e-learning)
University of Ibadan (UI)
The University of Ibadan is popular both Online and Traditional, and also, the University of Ibadan ranks as the number 1 best university in Nigeria. UI is one of the schools that offers its students the best online quality education in Nigeria, with a negotiable tuition fee.
Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU)
This distance learning center, JABU is one of the best private universities in Osun state, which was founded in the year 2011.
JABU created this Center for Distance learning to help average Nigerians who currently do not have the capability/funds to access tertiary education. After JABU founded this online program in 2011 it was very prosperous and they experienced heavy students turn up from all parts of the world.
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
This university uses its faculty members to lecture both E-learning and on-campus students, Ahmadu Bello University is also made up of advisers, academics, and entrepreneurs who work hand in hand with their students on daily basis to invent a collaborative and friendly learning environment, where there is flourishment of human values.
ABUDLC was proudly designed to deliver the ability of its students to obtain bachelor’s degrees from the NUC accredited Schools from a far distance from anywhere in the world.
Federal University of Technology Minna
Federal University of Technology, Minna is a Government-owned University in Nigeria, which was founded on 1st February 1983 as a Specialized University of technology. FUTMINNA is one of the best Online Universities in Nigeria which came into existence in the year 2011, this center for open distance E-learning offers quality far distance learning through training dynamically and practically, research, and also entrepreneurs assistance, conducted by information and Communication Technology. This center for open distance e-learning is said to be managed by a director who is trustworthy to the university’s vice-chancellor.
University of Lagos Akoka (UNILAG)
The Distance Learning Institute is also part of the University that Operates and manages the open and distance learning agendas or programs, which also has a well-enhanced quality as that of a college in the traditional University. An empowered university that tends to formulate its policies, to also employ its staff and be able to take full responsibility for their academic programs, examination, supervise its daily affairs, and generates funds for its operations.
Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola
MAUTECH established a distance learning center to construct and manage an online education for students in different parts of the nation and continents. Their targeted goal is to create and supply market-oriented, globally competitive, and sustainable online lessons to their students/candidates from different parts of the world. Passing academic programs of the university to their interested candidates all over the universe through online lecturing.
National Open University(NOUN)
The National Open University of Nigeria is the leading university among the online universities in Nigeria, which is built for online courses and lectures. Currently, this college has about 78 learning centers mounted across the country, with a population of about 500,000 students. Note that 95% of the activities in this school are internet-connected computer-based. NOUN is recognized as the father of all online universities in Nigeria.
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife (OAU)
O.A.U online University was created to enable the University to create and transmit quality knowledge through their distance learning media direct to their audience in is different locations.
This learning center stands to help individuals who may seek to continue their studies but lacks the facilities to enroll themselves in a traditional campus. For registration visit their website oaucdl.edu.ng
University of Abuja (UNIABUJA)
The University of Abuja is situated in the capital territory of Nigeria and also appears to be one of the best among the online universities in Nigeria. This particular institute is organized to help cater to workers who are still interested in acquiring a degree. It conducts most of its lectures online, making it flexible and simple for the interested workers to obtain a degree.
Getting Admission into this center of learning does not require JAMB or even post UTME, Immediately a candidate completes his/her program, graduates are given a letter of exemption from the National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) because the program was designed for the working class, assuming that most these students would have Exceeded the age of 30 at the juncture of graduation and may have already started working.
University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)
UNIMAID online class was set up in the year 2004 with a convincing mission to complement traditional universities in supplying accessible, Affordable, reliable, and quality education via internet-connected computers to support distance learning to teeming nation’s population regardless of space and also age constraints.
University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)
UNN is a well-known university in Nigeria that offers both traditional and online courses. This center for Distance and e-learning (CDeL) is a response to the global demand for adaptable and more comprehensive learning access.
This online learning skill is built to help some persons seeking a flexible system of learning that is also comparable to that of the on-campus or traditional university, Such as delivering the same distinction as campus knowledge and the equally prestigious UNN degree. You may visit their website cdel.unn.edu.ng for more info.
Lagos State University (LASU)
The open and distance learning center was divinely created with aim of developing and improving students’ moral, intellectual and inventive capabilities to the fullest so they will be able to govern a life full of dignity while donating meaningfully to the UNIPORTcountry’s socio-economic growth.
LASU wants to be a global leader among learning institutes in mixed-mode universities rendering quality and transforming education through online centers.
University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
UNIPORT open, distance, and e-learning center was established in 2012, For them to accomplish their cooperate with Universities within and outside Nigeria to take part in cooperative educational endeavors within and outside Africa.
African Virtual University (AVU) in collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt held a policy harmonization and curriculum conceptualization workshop in July 2012. later on January 21, 2014, an MOU was signed for the establishment of the ODeL center. Which was probably created for working-class students and others.
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso(LAUTECH)
This University made it compulsory that before a student will be admitted he /she must undergo computer proficiency training and test will be conducted them. This center is focused on how to create access to elevated quality, international standards, and also appropriate knowledge in a civilized, flexible and open setting.
But in achieving this only appropriate technology will be deployed and several obstacles to an interesting, enjoyable, and satisfying learning experience will be minimized.
Babcock University Ilishan
Babcock Center for open Distance and e-learning was open to providing Affordable and quality higher education through the internet or ICT-supported learning delivery method.
Babcock is among the standard cheapest private universities in Nigeria and one of the best private Universities in Lagos. Babcock center was built to inspire and encourage learners to obtain excellence through internet-connected computers and also wants to be the first-class institution that produces servant-leaders for a brighter and developed world.
Online Universities in Nigeria – FAQs
Does Nigeria accept online degrees?
Every single year, more than half of Nigeria’s high school graduates could not have the opportunity to gain admission into traditional universities and other institutions of Education. Due to being underfunded, the traditional universities can only afford to cater to around 45% of them.
So another option might be starting an online degree program to help reduce the higher education needs of Nigeria’s teeming youths population but that route has been limited by the Nigerian government’s higher education regulator.
How possible is it to get a university degree online?
Yes, many Nigeria Universities now have centers in charge of online lectures, these Universities provide an e-learning method to encourage candidates who have jobs or tight schedules, but still want to obtain a degree or finish up their education to do so successfully from any part of the nation or world.
How do I register for online courses in Nigeria?
For you to apply for any of these online universities in Nigeria you must visit their main websites and follow the guidelines, remember it’s not all of these online universities are accredited or even approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the best among these universities is the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
Can distance learning Students go for NYSC?
yes, as a distance learning student you can go for NYSC, the Joint Admission and matriculation board (JAMB) recently instructed all universities and polytechnics to offer online distance through internet-connected computers and also per-time programs to train their students, also on the JAMB portal. This will allow them to capture all their necessary and make them available when needed by other bodies e.g NYSC and many more.
How many years does an online course last?
There is no difference between an online course and on-campus course programs when comes to years, which means that an associate degree will take approximately about 2years, likewise, a bachelor’s degree program lasts for about 4years.
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