Universities Ranked by Number of First Class Graduates in Nigeria

RankUniversityFirst Class GraduatesTotal GraduatesApproximate Rate
1Federal University of Technology Akure5198%
2University of Ibadan428~5,9007.3%
3University of Benin3852%
4University of Lagos340~10,5843%–5.8%
5Covenant University339~1,61521%
6Afe Babalola University226~1,61414%
7University of Uyo17412,4501.4%
8Usmanu Danfodiyo University16722,9320.7%
9Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta1224,1413%
10Federal University of Technology Owerri1155,1882.2%
11Federal University of Technology Minna1115,2972.1%
12Bingham University821,5765.2%
13University of Abuja7712,6240.6%
14Benue State University4417,9250.25%

Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) Recorded the Highest Number

FUTA reported 519 First Class graduates, the highest publicly reported figure in the dataset. The figure came from a combined convocation ceremony covering multiple academic sessions.

University of Benin Had Very High Absolute Numbers

UNIBEN consistently appears among universities with very high First Class totals:

  • 385 First Class graduates in one combined report,
  • 198 in another 2025 ceremony.

Covenant University Had the Highest Percentage

Although Covenant University produced fewer First Class graduates numerically than FUTA or UI, it had the highest proportion:

  • 339 First Class graduates,
  • approximately 21% of its graduating class.

Public vs Private University Trends

The data shows two major patterns:

CategoryTypical First Class Rate
Private Universities14%–21%
Public Universities0.25%–8%

Private universities generally:

  • have smaller class sizes,
  • stricter attendance monitoring,
  • uninterrupted calendars,
  • more intensive academic supervision.

Public universities typically:

  • enroll far larger student populations,
  • face strike disruptions,
  • maintain stricter grading cultures.

Combined Convocations Affect the Numbers

Some universities conducted:

  • combined convocations,
  • delayed ceremonies,
  • multi-session graduations.

Therefore, raw totals do not always represent a single graduating year.

For example:

  • FUTA,
  • UNIBEN,
  • UDUS,
  • BSU

all reported figures from combined sessions.

Universities Ranked by Number of First Class Graduates in Nigeria

Broader National Picture

According to national analyses:

  • Nigerian universities in the top dataset produced about 3,047 First Class graduates overall.
  • Private universities averaged about 17% First Class rates.
  • Public universities averaged around 3%.