University of Lagos

Lagos, Nigeria · founded 1962 · 55,000 students · public research university

Known for: It is a top-ranked Nigerian university celebrated for its academic excellence, vibrant campus life, and prime location in the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, often called the 'University of First Choice and the Nation's Pride.'

Rankings

QS World: #1201
Times Higher Education: #1501

Top programmes

Medicine
Law
Engineering
Business Administration
Arts
Social Sciences

Notable alumni

Femi Gbajabiamila — Chief of Staff to the Nigerian President, former Speaker of the House of Representatives
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde — Award-winning actress and philanthropist
J.P. Clark — Renowned poet and playwright
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala — Director-General of the World Trade Organization, former Nigerian Finance Minister
Godwin Emefiele — Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
Tunde Kelani — Celebrated cinematographer and film director
Fabian Ajogwu — Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), professor of corporate governance
Rita Dominic — Award-winning film actress and producer

Traditions

UNILAG Carnival (a major annual street party)
Freshers' Week ('O-Week')
Faculty Week celebrations
The 'Akoka' shuttle bus system
Inter-Faculty Sports Competitions

If University of Lagos were…

As a food: Jollof Rice — Like Nigeria's contested culinary masterpiece, UI is intensely debated, deeply flavorful, and represents academic excellence with regional pride.
As an athlete: Hakeem Olajuwon — Like the basketball legend's graceful footwork, UI moves with scholarly precision and fundamental excellence that transcends its origins.
As a person alive today: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie — Like the novelist's eloquent storytelling, UI weaves tradition with modernity, producing voices that redefine African intellectualism globally.
As a historical figure: Obafemi Awolowo — Like Nigeria's visionary premier, UI represents foundational nation-building through education and progressive ideals in a complex political landscape.
As a movie or TV show: Things Fall Apart — Like Chinua Achebe's seminal novel, UI grapples with tradition's collision with modernity, producing literature that defines African identity.
As a US president: Thomas Jefferson — Like America's scholarly president, UI combines Enlightenment ideals with practical nation-building, creating an intellectual aristocracy for a new republic.
As a city: Oxford — Like the English university town, UI exists as a scholarly oasis of tradition and intellectual pursuit amidst its surrounding city's chaos.
As an element: Gold — Like gold's enduring value and rarity, UI represents Nigeria's academic standard—precious, traditional, and universally recognized.
As a car: 2023 Range Rover Sport — Sleek, urban-aggressive SUV navigating Lagos traffic with aspirational swagger and real capability. UNILAG sits in Africa's most dynamic megacity, producing Nigeria's business elite, media moguls, and power brokers—compe

Campus life

UNILAG is famous for its exceptionally vibrant and energetic campus life, with a strong culture of student activism, social events, and over 150 clubs and societies. Its location in Lagos provides endless urban opportunities, and the residential halls are hubs of constant activity.